SHAKESPEARE'S Henry IV, Pt.1

Act II - Review Questions

 

English 9 \ Q's Index \ Text Index \ Henry IV Page \

 

 

1)         As Act II begins, do you notice anything about Shakespeare’s alternation of scenes in this play? If the comic sections of the play deal with thievery, are there hints of this in the more serious, historical parts of the play? Use a specific citation from the historical portion to illustrate your idea.

 

2)         Give two quotes which illustrate Gadshill’s self confidence ?

 

 

3)         How well does Falstaff prove his statement that he is “no coward”?

 

 

4)         What reasons does the unknown author of a letter give Hotspur for not joining him in the rebellion against the King?

 

 

5)         How does Lady Percy learn that something is troubling her husband?

 

 

6)         Based upon II iii., how would you characterize the relationship between Hotspur and Lady Percy? Since this is not a domestic soap opera, what purpose might Shakespeare have in presenting this relationship?

 

 

7)         What is the point of the  “game” that the Prince and Poins play with Francis, the drawer?

 

 

8)         When Francis leaves the scene, the Prince is reminded of Hotspur. Why? What attitude is the Prince revealing toward Hotspur?

 

 

9)         What is Falstaff’s initial strategy for explaining his loss of the booty? Why does the Prince encourage him to go on and on?

 

 

10)       What reason does Falstaff give for his behavior after he is confronted with the truth?

 

 

11)       In  II iv., the Prince and Falstaff do some role playing. What roles do they play? What dramatic functions does this scene play?

 

 

 

 

 

CRITICAL NOTE :

 

            Herschel Baker of Harvard University writes: Shakespeare weaves a rich design where each detail is set against its complementary and contrasting opposite so that they may sharpen one another.... The King and Falstaff are aligned, for instance, through their relationship to Hal, the Father standing for convention, duty, and control, and his surrogate for disorder, crime, and license. Riverside Shakespeare p.844

 

            Please write a paragraph in which you discuss at least one other aspect of the rich design of this play.