We finally arrive at the rise of King Henry V and the culmination of his desire to shine like the sun, after letting its face be hidden by clouds for a while.

As I mentioned before, 1 Henry IV is one of my favorite history plays. It’s so well-balanced and rich and hilarious, while also being heartfelt. 2 Henry IV, however, as an immediate sequel, does not disappoint. It carries all the potency and feeling of the first play, transporting it to a conclusion that both breaks the audience's hearts while feeling completely necessary. Prince Hal must turn his back on Falstaff in order become the kind of king his country needs, but oh, the cost is writ in full.

Hal’s inner tension is increasing in this play, even though his plan is coming to fruition. He finds himself in grief over the sickness of his father, but without the ability to publicly demonstrate that grief. He has to face his family’s opinions of him while also facing the responsibility of rising kingship, as becomes most evident in the moment when he takes the crown to contend with it “as with an enemy That had before my face murd'red my father.” The crown is not, as Falstaff and company see it, a license to do what he will, but it is a burden and a struggle that he must prepare himself for, no matter the cost.

The weight of the crown is felt in this play, adding new layers to the already well-established groundwork of 1 Henry IV.

Check out our discussion video on YouTube as well as the bonus video on Patreon where we talk about how the characters show up in our card game, The Play’s the Thing! And check out my older summary video from my last read-through!