PLOT SUMMARY FOR HENRY IV, PART 1
I, 1: King Henry IV plans for a crusade to the Holy Land to make amends for the murder of the previous king, Richard II, whom Henry had overthrown. His plans are disrupted by news of attacks by the Welsh and Scottish rebels. Although his English army has defeated the Scots, the army’s leader, Henry Percy (known as Hotspur), has refused to give up important prisoners, probably at the connivance of his uncle, Worcester. In Wales the English army, led by Edmund Mortimer, has been surprised and slaughtered by the Welsh leader, Glendower. The King doubts that his son, Prince Hal, will ever be as interested in leading the country as Hotspur is.
I, 2: Prince Hal and his debauched friend Falstaff trade insults about their dissolute way of life. Falstaff questions whether Hal will enforce the law once he becomes king, while the Prince warns Falstaff indirectly about the consequences of leading a life of crime. Hal’s friend, Poins, comes in with news of a possible highway robbery for a prank. Hal is reluctant to join the criminals, but Poins convinces him to play a practical joke on Falstaff by robbing him once the original crime is done. Alone, Prince Hal reveals to the audience that he is using his friends to create the illusion of a misspent youth so that when he assumes the throne, his reformation of character will impress the public all the more.
I, 3: At the palace the King confronts his former allies, the Percy family (Hotspur, his father Northumberland and his uncle Worcester). They demand that the King ransom Mortimer, who is a prisoner of Glendower. Henry refuses and accuses Mortimer of having betrayed his army. Despite Hotspur’s imaginative defense of Mortimer, his brother-in-law, and his explanation of his actions with the Scottish prisoners, the King demands that he give them up and stop talking about Mortimer. Henry banishes Worcester from the court and threatens Hotspur and Northumberland. After the King leaves, Hotspur flies onto a rage. Worcester suggests that they join other malcontents to organize a rebellion to overthrow Henry. Hotspur eagerly agrees. The rebels will include the Percies, the Archbishop of York, Glendower and the Scottish leader Douglas. They will seek to place Mortimer on the English throne, since Richard II had once named him his heir. Worcester warns Hotspur not to reveal the plot until the details are set.
II, 1: Two road-wise carriers prepare to leave a dilapidated inn for their destination, London. An amateur thief, Gadshill, tries unsuccessfully to learn their plans and their cargo. An employee of the inn then tells Gadshill about wealthy travelers who will make easier targets. Gadshill hints that the gang of robbers includes a nobleman (Falstaff) and a member of royalty (Hal).
II, 2: At the robbery site, a place called Gad’s Hill, Hal and Poins play practical jokes on Falstaff. They then hide, disguise themselves, and after Falstaff and the others have robbed the travelers, Hal and Poins rob them.
II, 3: An excited Hotspur has written to many people, inviting them to join the rebellion. One writes back, questioning the chance of success of the conspiracy. Angered, Hotspur realizes that the King will soon know of their plans. Undeterred he prepares to leave at once for the war. His wife pleads with him to share his plans, but he refuses to trust her with secret information since she is only a woman. He does allow her to follow him.
II, 4: At the Boar’s Head Tavern Prince Hal spends his afternoon learning all about the lives of the apprentices who work there. He and Poins play a practical joke on one Francis to demonstrate how he, like Hotspur, has a severely limited view of the world. Falstaff returns, filled with bravado over his imaginary battle at Gad’s Hill. He tells a story of having fought against overwhelming odds. The number he fought and killed keeps growing, until Hal reveals the truth. Then Falstaff claims that he knew Hal’s identity the whole time, but as a loyal and brave “lion,” he refused to lift a hand against the true prince. A messenger from the palace brings word of the rebellion and the King’s order for his son to return home. Falstaff urges Hal to practice an answer for his father, and they stage an impromptu dramatic scene. Playing the King, Falstaff chides the Prince for his misdemeanors and orders him to banish all his companions, except the virtuous Falstaff. They exchange roles, and Hal, playing the King, condemns the villainous “misleader of youth,” Falstaff. When Falstaff pleads for his special friendship with the Prince, Hal steps out of character to assure the old knight that he will eventually banish him. The arrival of the Sheriff prevents further discussion. Hal agrees to repay the money lost in the robbery, while Falstaff, in hiding, falls asleep. As a joke the Prince goes through his pockets and finds receipts for his debauchery.
III, 1: In Wales Hotspur meets with his allies, Mortimer and Glendower. He manages to provoke Glendower repeatedly, including a serious argument over how the country will be divided after the rebels win. Mortimer bids a poignant farewell to his wife, Glendower’s daughter, while Hotspur jokes and argues with his wife before going off to an uncertain future in battle.
III, 2: Hal returns to his father who questions his unsavory companions and apparent disinterest in government. He points out that Hal is making the same political mistakes that Richard II made and declares that Hal is so villainous, he will probably fight on the rebels’ side. Hal proclaims his commitment to his father and explains that his “loose behavior” is just a ruse to manipulate his image and emerge as the unexpected Super Prince. Impressed, the King gives him a command position in the army.
III, 3: Back at the tavern, a depressed Falstaff wonders about his future. He teases the alcoholic Bardolph about his face and accuses the Hostess of the tavern of having picked his pocket and taken a valuable ring. When she tells him the Prince had called the ring worthless, Falstaff threatens to beat him, just as Hal enters. Falstaff immediately plays up to the Prince and teases the Hostess. Nevertheless, she reveals what he had said about Hal. The Prince forgives his disrespect, and Hal reveals that all his friends at the tavern are now in the army. Falstaff is given command of an infantry unit so he will have to walk a great distance.
IV, 1: At the rebel camp near Shrewsbury, Hotspur and Worcester welcome Douglas but are dismayed to learn that Northumberland and his army cannot come. Furthermore, Glendower and his troops are also delayed. Then a transformed Prince Hal in regal majesty is described. Hotspur vows to fight anyway, although the odds are against him.
IV. 2: Near Coventry, on the way to Shrewsbury, Falstaff has been using his authority to draft wealthy cowards who then bribe him to escape from service. He has filled his unit with derelicts and criminals who are an embarrassment to all.
IV, 3: The rebels cannot agree on their plans. Sir Walter Blunt, an emissary from the King, offers pardon to the rebels if they lay down their arms. After he enumerates all the rebels’ complaints, Hotspur agrees to consider the King’s offer and send word the next day.
IV, 4: The Archbishop of York, part of the conspiracy, worries about the upcoming battle.
V, 1: The next day Worcester meets with the King and accuses him of ingratitude. Hal offers to settle the issue in single combat with Hotspur. Henry makes one last attempt to secure peace, but as Worcester departs the King’s army prepares for battle, all except Falstaff who decides that honor is no reason to risk one’s life.
V, 2: Worcester, realizing he will be personally blamed for the rebellion, decides to hide the King’s generous offer from Hotspur. The rebels prepare to fight.
V, 3: In the battle the King has many men dressed like him, one of whom is Blunt, whom Douglas kills. Falstaff enters and points to Blunt’s body as evidence of the emptiness of honor. A desperate Hal enters and asks for Falstaff’s sword to help him the battle. The frightened Falstaff refuses but does give the Prince his pistol case which contains only a wine bottle.
V, 4: Douglas finds King Henry alone and attacks him, only to be driven off by Hal. Then Hal and Hotspur meet and fight while Falstaff looks on. When Douglas returns, Falstaff falls and plays dead. Hal kills Hotspur, who realizes the limitations of his life based on honor only at the point of his death. Hal pays tribute to the slain Hotspur and Falstaff then returns to the battle. Once the coast is clear, Falstaff gets up and stabs Hotspur’s body to make sure he’s dead. He decides that he will claim credit for killing the King’s great enemy to earn a reward. Hal returns and is surprised to find Falstaff alive. He agrees to go along with his friend’s claim of having killed Hotspur.
V, 5: The rebels are defeated. Henry orders Worcester executed for having set the battle on by concealing the King’s offer of amnesty. Douglas has been captured, and Prince Hal asks if he can release him in order to make an ally out of him. The King divides his forces to go after the remaining rebels.