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joshknape's review against another edition
3.0
As Shakespeare's history plays interest me more than his comedies and probably even as much as the tragedies, I have been reading the history plays in order over about the last seven or eight years. King Richard II fascinates me enough that I have more than once reread certain scenes in Richard II, especially his prison soliloquy and his murder, because he's completely incompetent as a ruler, even ridiculous, but rather fascinating as a self-absorbed navel-gazer. Whereas, I found 1 Henry IV simply less engrossing. The only scenes that greatly interested me are those displaying the progress of Prince Hal, the future Henry V.
The problem is that I found the political drama, the conspirators' rebellion, completely unremarkable and uninteresting except for the presentation of Hotspur, Harry Percy, as an ideal warrior-hero. Partly because I already knew Henry would survive and defeat it (because there is a 2 Henry IV) and Prince Hal would also survive (because I became familiar with Henry V in high school); partly because, having studied Shakespeare's political philosophy in college before I actually read the histories, I understood that the rebellions are par for the course.
Falstaff's wit is amusing, but his behavior on the battlefield is offensive and irritating. He looks for his life first and foremost; he plays dead when attacked by Douglas; finally he stabs Hotspur's corpse (killed honorably by Hal) to claim he, Falstaff, killed Hotspur.
Reexamining Richard II to compare it with 1 Henry IV and see how right I was, I believe Shakespeare's language, his turns of phrase, were more inspired in Richard II. Why not? I have heard Richard described as a "poet" and an "actor"; why shouldn't such a character have inspired Shakespeare even more than a dreary political cauldron featuring a prodigal prince, a witty scoundrel and an embattled king?
The problem is that I found the political drama, the conspirators' rebellion, completely unremarkable and uninteresting except for the presentation of Hotspur, Harry Percy, as an ideal warrior-hero. Partly because I already knew Henry would survive and defeat it (because there is a 2 Henry IV) and Prince Hal would also survive (because I became familiar with Henry V in high school); partly because, having studied Shakespeare's political philosophy in college before I actually read the histories, I understood that the rebellions are par for the course.
Falstaff's wit is amusing, but his behavior on the battlefield is offensive and irritating. He looks for his life first and foremost; he plays dead when attacked by Douglas; finally he stabs Hotspur's corpse (killed honorably by Hal) to claim he, Falstaff, killed Hotspur.
Reexamining Richard II to compare it with 1 Henry IV and see how right I was, I believe Shakespeare's language, his turns of phrase, were more inspired in Richard II. Why not? I have heard Richard described as a "poet" and an "actor"; why shouldn't such a character have inspired Shakespeare even more than a dreary political cauldron featuring a prodigal prince, a witty scoundrel and an embattled king?
baronet_coins's review against another edition
funny
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
kxtaro's review
adventurous
dark
funny
fast-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? It's complicated
4.0
allym's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
falstaff biting the curb 4k
lesserjoke's review against another edition
3.0
The plot of this Shakespearean history is a trifle thin, detailing only a sliver of England's War of the Roses, but we're mostly here for the humor, which offers more laughs than some of the bard's actual comedies. The most famous bits involve Prince Hal's childish antics with Falstaff before he begins to grow up and take on more responsibility, but his rival Hotspur constantly deflating Welsh king Owen Glendower's mystical airs is a standout scene as well. I'm glad I read this, although it's not going to go down as one of my favorites.
readingisadoingword's review against another edition
funny
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Henry IV Part 1 is the 10th play we've read as part of the #UpstartCrows2023 Shakespeare Readalong. After Richard II, this is the second episode of Shakespeare’s Henriad.
We meet the inimitable Falstaff, one of Shakespeare's best known characters.
His relationship with wayward Price Hal (Henry IV's son and Prince of Wales) is one of bizarre affection, misdeeds and shenanigans.
I don't know if a play can be a Bildungsroman but this is what this play feels like. Hal (Harry, Prince of Wales) is unfavourably compared to the dashing Henry Hotspur at the beginning of the play. He spends his time drinking and thieving with Falstaff and other dodgy characters, whereas Hotspur is engaging in battles and increasing his reputation and honour.
When rebellion threatens, Hal decides to try and earn his father's respect and reform his previously debauched behaviour.
Identity plays a major part in this play - finding ones own identity, mistaken identity, false kings, reputation, fate etc
Things that struck me were:
The bizarre friendship between Hal and Falstaff - there is obvious affection there but also mockery and deceit. It's an interesting dynamic and particularly at the end when Prince Hal doesn't expose Falstaff.
There is also the irony of Henry IV having himself been a usurper and yet defending his crown from the Hotspur led rebellion. Questions arise about the true definition of Kingship and it's hereditary nature.
All in all I enjoyed this one. I'd love to see Falstaff fully realised on stage and I look forward to the rest of the Henriad.
QUOTES I LIKED:
“But thoughts the slave of life, and life, time’s fool,
And time, that takes survey of all the world,
Must have a stop.”
“The better part of
valour is discretion; in the which better part I
have saved my life.”
"So, when this loose behaviour I throw off
And pay the debt I never promisèd,
By how much better than my word I am,
By so much shall I falsify men’s hopes;
And like bright metal on a sullen ground,
My reformation, glitt’ring o’er my fault,
Shall show more goodly and attract more eyes
Than that which hath no foil to set it off.
I’ll so offend to make offence a skill,
Redeeming time when men think least I will.”
We meet the inimitable Falstaff, one of Shakespeare's best known characters.
His relationship with wayward Price Hal (Henry IV's son and Prince of Wales) is one of bizarre affection, misdeeds and shenanigans.
I don't know if a play can be a Bildungsroman but this is what this play feels like. Hal (Harry, Prince of Wales) is unfavourably compared to the dashing Henry Hotspur at the beginning of the play. He spends his time drinking and thieving with Falstaff and other dodgy characters, whereas Hotspur is engaging in battles and increasing his reputation and honour.
When rebellion threatens, Hal decides to try and earn his father's respect and reform his previously debauched behaviour.
Identity plays a major part in this play - finding ones own identity, mistaken identity, false kings, reputation, fate etc
Things that struck me were:
The bizarre friendship between Hal and Falstaff - there is obvious affection there but also mockery and deceit. It's an interesting dynamic and particularly at the end when Prince Hal doesn't expose Falstaff.
There is also the irony of Henry IV having himself been a usurper and yet defending his crown from the Hotspur led rebellion. Questions arise about the true definition of Kingship and it's hereditary nature.
All in all I enjoyed this one. I'd love to see Falstaff fully realised on stage and I look forward to the rest of the Henriad.
QUOTES I LIKED:
“But thoughts the slave of life, and life, time’s fool,
And time, that takes survey of all the world,
Must have a stop.”
“The better part of
valour is discretion; in the which better part I
have saved my life.”
"So, when this loose behaviour I throw off
And pay the debt I never promisèd,
By how much better than my word I am,
By so much shall I falsify men’s hopes;
And like bright metal on a sullen ground,
My reformation, glitt’ring o’er my fault,
Shall show more goodly and attract more eyes
Than that which hath no foil to set it off.
I’ll so offend to make offence a skill,
Redeeming time when men think least I will.”
emilyclimbs's review against another edition
4.0
Great play but could do with some (any) female characters?
maxgotthebooks's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
It’s good Shakespeare but I don’t like Shakespeare much.
sophie_tsiotinos's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25