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Henry IV, Part II (Arkangel Complete Shakespeare Series)

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In the second part of this drama, the main thread is the evolution of Prince Hal, future Henry V, from a young, irresponsible, and party-animal lad into a real monarch. Please note that, from the author's persepctive (and most likely yours) this is not any good, since it leads to the inevitable estrangement between the former comrades Hal and Sir John Falstaff, the leader of Hal's group of troublesome (and even criminal) friends. This develpoment will eventually hurt Falstaff very much, for he has come to see Hal as the son he never had. Little by little, Hal shows his true colors: like many heirs of power, he becomes cruel, cold, ambitious and mean. He marches away from his joyful past and starts to assume the reins of power. He has become a politician and a warrior. In the meantime, Henry IV's strength has greatly diminished from so many worries and fighting. Hal helps him defeat their enemies and in the end the King dies and Hal becomes Henry V. In the painful final scene, Falstaff greets the new monarch, only to receive an order of imprisonment from his former friend.

Just as in Part I, here the main character is Falstaff. The fat Sir displays all his power of enchantment over the reader, by way of his infinite jest, wit and cynicism. He surges over the other characters as the greast transgressor, the great Dyonisian spirit, full of vitality and assuredness.

Shakespeare's most salient features shine here as in the rest of his work: the fact that the characters change during the plays gives them a lot of literary power.