Play review – “Henry IV Part 1” by William Shakespeare

A sequel to Richard II sees his usurper Henry IV sitting uneasily on this throne, worried about his useless son, and unaware Hotspur, who I thought was a fan of Henry in the previous play, actually hates him and wants to lead a rebellion. This has more heart than Richard II because it’s about relationships – Henry and his wastrel son Hal, Hal and Falstaff, Hotspur and his fellow rebels.

This s from Shakespeare’s more muscular phase – there’s minimal female involvement (Hotspur’s nagging wife, the women at the tavern) – although there is a song. Mostly though it’s boys stuff – fighting, brawling, fathers and sons, treachery, double cross, honour. Heaps of action – more than any Shakespeare I’ve read; several duels and the second half builds around the Battle of Shrewsbury. But it also touches on some great emotional themes – fathers worried about their wastrel children, unsure if they can take over the family business, wishing their rivals were their kids instead; sons rallying around when the pressure is on; the desire to be a coward, drink and eat. People talk about how great Hotspur is a lot – is he praised in the plays more than any other character? Ripping stuff.