sdcunningham96's review against another edition
Harry (formerly Hal) learns his Dad is dying and decides to get his act together. However, he is always lured by his Folstaff, his drinking buddy/drinking Dad. Thus, he must banish Folstaff. His Dad dies and he takes down on the crown, becoming King.
BUT
Before his Dad tells, he gives some advice: War makes people patriotic.
Thus, Henry 4 decides to declare war to solidify his rule and make people love him!
BUT
Before his Dad tells, he gives some advice: War makes people patriotic.
Thus, Henry 4 decides to declare war to solidify his rule and make people love him!
spacestationtrustfund's review against another edition
2.0
"Presume not that I am the thing I was" (V.V).
shroudofthesea's review against another edition
3.0
“Wilt thou upon the high and giddy mast / Seal up the ship-boy’s eyes, and rock his brains / In cradle of the rude imperious surge / And in the visitation of the winds”
this would be the worst of the main set of history plays if [b:Henry VI, Part 1|286792|Henry VI, Part 1|William Shakespeare|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1614299384l/286792._SY75_.jpg|9933321] didn’t exist. i place the blame almost exclusively on falstaff’s shoulders, which is a slight heresy on my part, but so be it. every scene with the titular Henry IV in it is among shakespeare’s best writing, so if goodreads allowed for nuance, this would be a 3.5 bc i liked whenever falstaff was very much not present. in personal news, this finally marks my completion of the eight-play sequence (only took about 2 years), so yay for me!
this would be the worst of the main set of history plays if [b:Henry VI, Part 1|286792|Henry VI, Part 1|William Shakespeare|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1614299384l/286792._SY75_.jpg|9933321] didn’t exist. i place the blame almost exclusively on falstaff’s shoulders, which is a slight heresy on my part, but so be it. every scene with the titular Henry IV in it is among shakespeare’s best writing, so if goodreads allowed for nuance, this would be a 3.5 bc i liked whenever falstaff was very much not present. in personal news, this finally marks my completion of the eight-play sequence (only took about 2 years), so yay for me!
bridget_books's review against another edition
1.0
This play was so boring. Where was the plot? There wasn't one. It was just a bunch of dudes talking. Also, it was part 2 so you had to have seen the first one. I don't understand having 2 parts. It wasn't necessary, so it should all be one (but the plot is boring so honestly cut out a bunch of it if you're merging).
ombudsman's review against another edition
4.0
had no clue 2H4 was considered so inferior to 1H4 by critics but i think, if anything, it's the better work: more immersed in the sociopolitical circles of the playworld, exploring to a fuller extent its injustice and its embodiment.
Spoiler
(plus: the jerusalem scene and falstaff's rejection are two the best scenes in the histories, for my money.)basic_lit_24's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
nilly00's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
sad
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
citizenmaim's review against another edition
first part outwitted, outplayed, outlasted this one, sorry bill