ABSTRACT
Although many have said that Part 1 (1596/7) is superior to Part 2 (1597/8), throughout its fascinating critical history Henry IV has been hailed as a Shake spearian masterpiece, and one of a special kind. Its combination in equal proportions of tragical history and comical fiction has generally been seen as providing a structure in which the full range of Shakespeare’s mature art is shown to unique advantage. It has been admired for the variety and distinctness of its characters, for the assured complexity of its design, and for the extra ordinary richness of its language. The subtlety too with which it handles the ethical and emotional issues involved in the political narrative of Henry, Hal, and Falstaff has generated almost as much interpretive activity and division of opinion as Harnlet it is an elusive masterpiece.
