As a die-hard fan of The Raven Cycle, reading this particular piece was truly a remarkable and somewhat arduous journey. It was like embarking on an adventure that took me through a maze of emotions and thoughts.

The story had a certain allure that kept pulling me in, yet at the same time, it presented challenges that made me question and analyze.

Each page turn brought new revelations and unexpected twists, leaving me on the edge of my seat.

It was a reading experience that I won't soon forget, filled with both excitement and a sense of wonder.

Overall, it was a journey and a half, one that I'm glad to have taken as a dedicated fan of The Raven Cycle.

Date read: 23 April 2024
Rating: 2 stars

Henry IV Part 1 & 2, and Henry V seem to be the coming of age story of King Henry V.

This is a historical play that dramatizes a part of the reign of King Henry IV of England. It starts with the battle at Homildon Hill in late 1402 and ends with Henry IV's victory in the Battle of Shrewsbury in mid-1403. It involves the political conflict between the King and some of his rebellious nobles. This play is also a kind of family drama. Henry IV is in despair because of his heir's inappropriate behavior and escapades. Shakespeare offers the viewer/listener/reader two story-lines, which eventually contrast. One follows the son of the Earl of Northumberland, Henry Percy (\\"Hotspur\\", a youth with an extremely short temper), and the other follows the King's son, Henry of Monmouth (\\"Hal\\"). Sir John Falstaff provides the humor. However, I have a hard time with Shakespeare's humor. I don't really find it funny. Although Falstaff feigning death in battle to avoid the whole mess is rather amusing and completely sensible. The rest of the play consists of war and politics, which don't really interest me in this format.

SUMMARY OF PLAY: https://www.shakespeare.org.uk/explor...

Prince Hal has truly been a source of continuous surprise for me. His character development and the way he has evolved throughout the story have been nothing short of remarkable.

Now, I find myself on the edge of my seat, eagerly anticipating the moment when Tom Hiddleston takes on this role. I have no doubt that he will bring his own unique charm and talent to the part, completely blowing me away.

Hiddleston is known for his ability to inhabit a character fully, and I'm certain he'll do the same with Prince Hal. His performance is bound to be a tour de force, captivating audiences and leaving us all in awe.

I can't wait to see how he interprets the role, adding his own nuances and bringing a new dimension to Prince Hal. It's going to be an absolute treat to watch him in action.

2023 Shakespeare Complete works challenge

#11 - Henry IV, Part 1

Read - 4/2/23 - 4/6/23

Rating: 3.5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️ 1/2

I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this play.

The basic plot revolves around a revolution in the Kingdom led by Henry Percy, also known as Hotspur. The rebels are discontented as they believe that Henry Bolingbroke, now King Henry IV, has overlooked all the assistance they provided when he usurped the throne from King Richard II.

The characterization of The Prince of Wales, or Prince Hal, was masterfully done. He transformed from a carefree and dissipated son of the King to a heroic figure who redeemed himself in the Battle of Shrewsbury, effectively quelling Hotspur and the rebellion.

And, of course, I cannot forget to mention the comic relief provided by Sir John Falstaff. Falstaff, with his "Fals" base meaning false, is a corpulent and drunken knight in Henry IV's kingdom. He is solely concerned with his own interests and constantly attempts to steal credit from others. It is from Falstaff that we get the famous saying, "The better part of valour is discretion," as he faked passing out during a fight. His antics and humorous dialogue added a lighthearted touch to the otherwise serious play.

Who knew that Shakespeare was the man who penned the first episode of Doctor Who with his creation of the character Falstaff! Falstaff is an extraordinary character who has the ability to travel throughout all of time and space. He can visit any event that has ever happened or will happen in the future.

Where can we start with Falstaff's adventures? Well, he makes his first appearance in a play set around 1402-03, right in the middle of the historical battles of Humbleton Hill and Shrewsbury. He supposedly sticks around and makes a further appearance in the sequel, Henry IV, Part II. After that, he sets off once again to meet new adventures. His final landing is in The Merry Wives of Windsor, which takes place about 200 years after Henry IV's reign, circa 1600. Amazingly, he looks not a day older than his fifty or so years and is still as sprightly as ever, getting up to all kinds of mischief and mayhem. It's truly wonderful! I just think this is so cool. ;)

Falstaff brings a much-needed light and levity to a dark subject. The play features King Henry IV facing dissent among his ranks, specifically from old friends who once helped him ascend to the throne. Adding to the king's heartache is his son, Hal, who keeps company with rogues, with Sir John Falstaff being the head of the gang. This part of the play could easily pass for a story in a modern young adult novel. Hal is the rebel prince of Wales who, along with his gang, associates with commoners, taverns, and ladies of the night. His current chief pleasure is arranging for his dissolute friends to act as highwaymen and rob poor weary travelers of their earnings. However, another chief pleasure of Hal's is making Falstaff the butt of his jokes. But Falstaff is not easily daunted and always manages to parry Hal's cutting remarks, usually getting the final shot. These verbal duels are truly priceless. Falstaff's secret to a successful conclusion is summed up in his famous line: “The better part of valor is discretion, in the which better part I have saved my life.”

The baddies, the rebel faction, aren't exactly portrayed as true villains here. They have an equal presence on stage as our heroes. Like them, the baddies also have moments of comedy interlaced with their plans of sedition. There's a good feeling on both sides, as neither really wants war. But the current circumstances leave no other solution; there's no turning back. The ending is surely bittersweet, but with the presence of Falstaff, it doesn't end with sad remembrances of things past. Instead, there's a sense of goodwill and a hopeful future. It's definitely a good story on which to end the year and begin the new.

If you aren't aware already (because I talk about it all the time), Henry IV is my favorite play.

Did I have to read most of the scenes twice to understand them? Yes. But there's something in the balance of Shakespeare's histories, and Henry IV in particular, that speaks to me.

I often find the comedies and tragedies predictable, but I've seen this play three times, and I still had to sit in silence for a few minutes after I finished reading it, trying to understand it all, and trying to convince myself not to pick it back up and start it again immediately.

The characters in Henry IV are so vivid and complex. Falstaff, in particular, is a memorable figure with his humorous antics and larger-than-life personality. The relationship between Prince Hal and Falstaff is also fascinating to watch unfold.

Moreover, the themes explored in the play, such as power, loyalty, and redemption, are still relevant today. Shakespeare's masterful use of language and his ability to create a rich and detailed world make Henry IV a truly remarkable work of art.

In conclusion, I highly recommend Henry IV to anyone who loves Shakespeare or is interested in exploring the human condition through literature. It's a play that will stay with you long after you've finished reading it.

Shakespeare, I knew your historical plays are always un sans faute.

Your works have withstood the test of time and continue to captivate audiences around the world.

The vivid characters, the complex storylines, and the beautiful language all contribute to the enduring appeal of your historical plays.

Whether it's the tragic tale of King Lear or the heroic exploits of Henry V, each play offers a unique perspective on history and human nature.

Your ability to bring history to life on the stage is truly remarkable, and it is no wonder that your plays are still performed and studied today.

Shakespeare, you are a literary giant, and your historical plays will always be a part of our cultural heritage.

Falstaff!

Yes, I was familiar with his name. However, until this year, my acquaintance with Falstaff was mostly indirect, through books that mentioned him. I had not delved into any of Shakespeare's histories (excluding Julius Caesar, etc., which I don't consider a history), so I was pleasantly surprised by how much I took a liking to this character. There are plays where the character and the play are evenly balanced (like Othello and Hamlet), but there are also those where the character seems to transcend the play. Henry IV, Part I appears to be one of those. The play was excellent. I thoroughly enjoyed it. But every time Falstaff made an entrance, it seemed to elevate the play to a whole new level. Certainly, it was not a play where Falstaff played the central role. Obviously, Henry, Prince of Wales holds that position (and he is fascinating in his own right), but Falstaff whirls around the play, enhancing everything. Injecting color and vitality into every scene he is a part of. And he doesn't achieve this through otherworldliness. He does it through his humanity, his base motives, and his complex affections. There is no doubt that Henry loves Falstaff and vice versa, but it is also evident that they are both using each other and are aware that the other is using them. It is truly perfect.

And the lines! Some of Shakespeare's most remarkable lines and profound musings spill forth energetically from Falstaff's lips:

“Well, ’tis no matter; honour pricks me on. Yea, but how if honour prick me off when I come on? How then? Can honour set-to a leg? No. Or an arm? No. Or take away the grief of a wound? No. Honour hath no skill in surgery, then? No. What is honour? A word. What is in that word “honour”? What is that “honour”? Air. A trim reckoning! Who hath it? He that died o’ Wednesday. Doth he feel it? No. Doth he hear it? No. ’Tis insensible then? Yea, to the dead. But will it not live with the living? No. Why? Detraction will not suffer it. Therefore I’ll none of it. Honour is a mere scutcheon. And so ends my catechism.”

**Actual Rating: 3.5**

The actual rating of 3.5 is an interesting metric. It indicates a level of performance or quality that is neither outstanding nor mediocre.

A rating of 3.5 suggests that there are both positive aspects and areas for improvement. It could mean that the product or service has some good features or qualities that are值得称赞, but also has some flaws or不足之处 that prevent it from achieving a higher rating.

This rating can provide valuable feedback to the provider, helping them to identify the areas where they need to focus their efforts to enhance the overall experience.

For consumers, a 3.5 rating can be a useful guide when making a decision. It allows them to assess whether the product or service is likely to meet their needs and expectations.

However, it's important to note that a single rating may not tell the whole story, and it's always advisable to consider other factors such as reviews, recommendations, and personal experience.

In conclusion, the actual rating of 3.5 is a significant number that can provide valuable insights into the performance and quality of a product or service.

How arduous it must be to engage in combat with an adversary one admires. How difficult it must be to come to the realization that one's enemy is a stronger, and perhaps more worthy, individual than one's own son. And how profound it must be to understand that one is such a hypocritical fool, and that one's son is more than one could ever have imagined. But first, one must lament one's heir to one's advisors, clearly a significant move:

Yea, there thou mak’st me sad and mak’st me sin
In envy that my Lord Northumberland
Should be the father to so blest a son—
A son who is the theme of honour’s tongue,
Amongst a grove the very straightest plant,
Who is sweet Fortune’s minion and her pride—
Whilst I, by looking on the praise of him
See riot and dishonor stain the brow
Of my young Harry. O, that it could be proved
That some night-tripping fairy had exchanged
In cradle clothes our children where they lay,
And called mine Percy, his Plantagenet!

Henry Bolingbroke is a man burdened with daemons. He ascended to the throne through a rebellion, and now, many years later, he is suppressing a rebellion himself. There is a certain irony in this. Shakespeare indeed loves to expose a good hypocrite. In the rebellious Hotspur, King Henry clearly discerns a part of himself, and in his own son, he perceives a foe he vanquished many years ago. The ineffective Richard II haunts him; he does not wish to witness England fall under such negligent rule ever again. So he is a man deeply divided. The choice he makes is the only one he could make. He places his faith in his son, and as a result, the young Henry meets the challenge with vigor and character that, I would argue, he didn't even know he possessed.

The young Henry, known as Hal to his friends, does not take life overly seriously. He spends his days drinking, playing pranks, and bantering with an old knight named Sir John Falstaff, and this gives rise to some of the most memorable moments in the play. In a metatheatrical moment, a mini-play within a play, the two act out a scene of King and Prince. Falstaff, rather hilariously, while pretending to be Henry IV, offers young Hal some advice about his drunken friend:

No, my good lord, banish Peto, banish Bardolph, banish Poins, but for sweet Jack Falstaff, kind Jack Falstaff, true Jack Falstaff, valiant Jack Falstaff, and therefore more valiant being, as he is, old Jack Falstaff,
Banish not him thy Harry’s company,
Banish not him thy Harry’s company.
Banish plump Jack, and banish all the world.

Thus, history becomes part comedy, and Shakespeare, as always, showcases his versatility as a dramatist. Language serves as a clear demarcation between the high-born characters and the low. This is not like Richard II, where commoners are reciting verse. Here, there is a distinct difference between those who are educated and those who are not. The commoners speak in prose, while the lords speak in verse. Young Hal has the ability to do a bit of both. He can bond with both the lowborn and the highborn because of this, which is a slight foreshadowing of the loyalty he will command one day. A good king knows how to communicate with his subjects, not just the other rulers of the land, a touch of subtlety from the bard.

Honor also becomes a subject of much contention. What is honor? Is it personal integrity or loyalty to one's king, and perhaps to those one loves? Indeed, honor becomes a subjective principle, meaning different things to each individual. For the king, it is his need to protect his realm; for Hotspur, it is personal integrity; and for Hal, it is duty. Falstaff's honor, which is open to debate, is his love for his prince. His dialogue may suggest otherwise, but his actions, though a bit foolish at times, feel rather devoted, even if they are also self-serving.

As with all of Shakespeare's plays, watching a good production truly enhances the experience. I like to read the play once, watch an adaptation, and then read the play again. It adds another layer of depth. I did enjoy this play, but I much preferred Richard II. The language in that play was pure poetry, and I have a greater affinity for tragedy than for comedy.

Prince Hal supremacy !!!!

Prince Hal is truly a remarkable and dominant figure. His charm, wit, and intelligence set him apart from others.

He has a natural leadership quality that draws people to him. His actions and decisions often shape the course of events.

Prince Hal's supremacy is not just in his position but also in his character. He is勇敢 and fearless in the face of challenges.

His relationships with others, such as Falstaff, add depth and complexity to his story.

Overall, Prince Hal's supremacy is undeniable, and his story continues to captivate audiences.

I truly have no affection for Shakespeare. I perceive him as rather vulgar, and his humor fails to meet the standard of what constitutes good jokes.

In this play, John Falstaff was an amusing and absurd character. Maybe he was intended to depict all those individuals who pretend to be better than they actually are, and I believe Shakespeare accomplished this cleverly.

So, I suppose that if you have a penchant for Shakespeare, you might as well give this one a look. It's a speedy read with comical characters that can bring a smile to your face.

However, for me, despite the interesting portrayal of Falstaff, Shakespeare's overall style still doesn't resonate with my personal taste. But that doesn't mean others won't enjoy it. After all, everyone has different preferences when it comes to literature.