William Shakespeare - Henry IV, Part II: "Uneasy lies the head that wears a crown." (Paperback)

from ajungherr

The play is very good--especially when read in sequence with the other plays of the Henriad. Although I feel it serves more as a variation on themes of the other plays than as play that introduces a specific theme into the mix of Richard 2, Henry IV Part 1 and Henry V. The edition--The Oxford Sha...

from AliceAnna

Falstaff is at his best in this play. Hal's abuse of him almost inspires sympathy for the blackguard. The transformation of the irresponsible Hal into a stately King is, however, rather hard to swallow. The death scene of HIV is a wonderful scene. It's easier for me to see Hal take the crown for ...

from MrsLee

Not a scholarly review here, just a note for myself that I read this. The drama was pretty good, but my reading mood was off and so it took me two months to finish. Not good for continuity. Even so, I was able to pick up the main characters and plot. All the side characters became rather muddled ...

from stillatim

Overall, I thought this was less interesting than Henry V, but that might just be because I paid more attention to HV (I have to teach it; I read this for kicks). There's not a whole lot of beautiful Shakespeare moments, the humor didn't hit me (possibly my fault, of course), and the best bit was...

from DinadansFriend

This play ends with the death of Henry IV of England, and the crowning of Henry V and his dramatic rejection of Falstaff. I prefer it to the first part, and find the play has more pacing and tighter characterization. I guest I'm not that fond of Falstaff, having had to deal with the fallout from ...