KING HENRY IVAct III, Scenes II & III

ByEmory G.

&Dax C.

Historical Context

• Shakespeare probably wrote Henry IV in 1596 • In 1596, England was in a period of bad harvest and

unprecedented poverty• The concern for the heir to the throne was high, as

Queen Elizabeth was in her 60’s and there was no natural heir. This created civil unrest.

• Shakespeare might have written Henry IV as a mirror to his own time to present topical issues to his audience in a way they would understand.

Historical Context of Act III, Scenes II and III

• Perhaps King Henry is doubting the stability of his own throne and is trying to “talk sense” into his son just as the citizens of England were doubting their own monarchy’s stability

Scene II ~ Plot Summary• King Henry tells everyone to leave the chamber, with the exception of his son, Harry.• King Henry believes that his failure of a son is karma for his murder of Richard II,

whom Henry compares Harry to, as they both associated with the common people. • Henry berates Harry for association with the common folk, low desires, rude society,

and an overall lack of kingly-ness.• The Prince replies with apologies and an explanation for his behavior; he was only

attempting to know his people better• The King rejects Harry’s apologies and spurts that he would rather have Hotspur on

the throne • This breaks out into an emotional response from Harry in which he vows revenge on

all that Hotspur has done and swears to take all of Hotspur’s achievements as his own

• Henry is now content with his son’s resolve• Sir Blunt enters with news that the uprising has begun and rebel forces are closing in

to attack• Henry then challenges Harry to prove himself

Scene II Literary Devices!

• This scene occurs in the middle of the third act and an important shift takes place~ Harry vows to stop his immature ways and become more princely

• It is ironic that King Henry compares his son to Richard II and Hotspur, two of his enemies

• Foreshadowing occurs as Blunt enters and notifies the King and Prince that Douglas and English rebels are plotting against the throne

• Harry and Hotspur, and Henry and Falstaff, are foils

Scene III ~ Plot Summary

• Falstaff is in a tavern and is complaining and cannot pay the hostess because he was robbed

• Prince Harry enters and announces that war is at hand and he must leave

• Harry confesses to robbing Falstaff and pays him back the money

• Harry assigns war positions to his friends: Bardolph delivers mail to troops, Falstaff is put in charge of foot soldiers, and Peto leaves with Harry on an errand

Scene III ~ Literary Devices <3

• Juxtaposition of this scene to scene II, which is dark, serious, and emotional. This scene provides some light hearted comic relief

• Irony ~ Falstaff comments on his ‘frailty’ when in fact he is fat, hearty, and well away from wasting away

• This scene also demonstrates the first appearance of Harry’s new persona as a responsible Prince

• Parallelism – Falstaff’s parody of Prince Harry’s rhyming.