ABSTRACT
William Shakespeare has judged Henry IV and pronounced that his life was not a failure; still, it was at best a partial success. Shakespeare saw, and he proceeded to show to others, that all which Bolingbroke had attained. The unmistakable enthusiasm of the poet about his Henry V has induced critics to believe that in him one can find Shakespeare's ideal of manhood. He must certainly be regarded as Shakespeare's ideal of manhood in the sphere of practical achievement, the hero and central figure therefore of the historical plays. Sir John Falstaff, the despiser of honor, labors across the field bearing the body of the fallen Hotspur, the impassioned pursuer of glory, and in his fashion of splendid imposture or stupendous joke the fat knight claims credit for the achievement of the day's victory. Henry has been stern to his former self, and turned him away for ever; therefore he can be stern to Falstaff and there is no faltering.
