I dominates, who are more knights than feudal lords— Percy, Douglas, Mortimer and Blount-are the leaders of the events. Hence we have here, of course, pre-eminently a representation of the nature of personal prowess, the foundation of chivalry. Percy is the representative of that inborn, natural valor, that unbridled conceit in the power of the individual I, that reckless courage of the knight-errant which heedlessly throws itself into danger, nay, which finds pleasure in it, and seeks for it, because it is necessary for the development of his nature, for his enjoyment and for the gratification of his ambition. Prince Henry, on the other hand, is the representative of that other and higher valor which is of an entirely intellectual nature, consisting in the mind's conscious superiority over danger, whether it be to overcome it, or to remain the victor in spite of being apparently vanquished; valor such as was displayed by the great historical heroes, Alexander, Hannibal and Julius Cæsar. In order that both species of valor might be clearly exhibited in their effectual and significant contrast, Prince Henry had to receive a prominent place in the drama, and, on the other hand, Percy's character had to be allowed scope in so far that, in all the essential relations of life, as son, husband and friend, he might excite special interest.-ULRICI, Shakespeare's Dramatic Art. In Henry IV Shakespeare does fair justice to the facts or the fictions of history; we have no reason to complain of any excess of the comic element, but rather to welcome it; even if it disfigured or overshadowed the history, we might well pardon it as being the very finest of its kind; but it does not; there was little that might be called heroic in the ruling sovereign, there was no Agincourt in his reign. Yet the personality and the career of Harry Percy are splendidly exhibited, although these, of course, are again a magnificent foil for Shakespeare's favorite hero [Henry V].-LUCE, Handbook to Shakespeare's Works. DRAMATIS PERSONE KING HENRY the Fourth HENRY, Prince of Wales, } 801 JOHN of Lancaster EARL OF WESTMORELAND sons to the King THOMAS PERCY, Earl of Worcester HENRY PERCY, Earl of Northumberland OWEN GLENDOWER SIR RICHARD VERNON SIR JOHN FALSTAFF SIR MICHAEL, a friend to the Archbishop of York POINS GADSHILL BARDOLPH LADY PERCY, wife to Hotspur, and sister to Mortimer Lords, Officers, Sheriff, Vintner, Chamberlain, Drawers, two Carriers, Travelers, and Attendants SCENE: England SYNOPSIS By J. ELLIS BURDICK 1 ACT I Henry IV's plans for a crusade are broken off by news of rebellions in Wales and in Scotland. Henry Percy, famous in history as Hotspur, son of the Earl of Northumberland, is victorious over the Scots under Douglas at Homildon. The king demands the prisoners from his general, but Hotspur refuses to give them up unless King Henry will ransom his kinsman, Edmund Mortimer, Earl of March, who is held prisoner by the Welsh. This the king will not do, for he fears Mortimer may some day claim the crown. Hotspur then sends his prisoners home without ransom and joins in the plots of the Welsh and Scots to overthrow Henry. ACT II The Prince of Wales is a wild youth; his favorite companion is Sir John Falstaff, whose chief occupations are talking and drinking wine. Falstaff and three comrades rob some travelers on the highway near Gadshill; the thiefs are in turn set upon by the Prince and one companion in disguise and put to flight. Later Falstaff boasts of an encounter with foes whose number increases with every mention of them, but the Prince turns the laugh on him by telling him the truth. A messenger from the king bringing the news of Hotspur's rising in the North interrupts their merriment. ACT III The king takes his son to task for his dissolute life and the Prince arouses to a sense of his responsibilities. |