The third Shakespeare history play: Henry IV part ii

[wongkk]

I'm slow in catching up with these BBC Shakespeare productions but, at last, scrounged my way in front of a friend's TV to watch King Henry IV part ii, whost cast included Jeremy Irons, Julie Walters, Simon Russell Beale and Tom Hiddleston.

I found this a more satisfying episode dramatically in the 2012 BBC series than the first part of Henry IV.

Comments

[brotherskeeper1]

Honestly, I was never a Shakespeare fan. But I am very happy to see you enjoy these plays so much as to write poetry.

[wongkk]

I find a great satisfaction in Shakepeare's ability to construct stable dramatic architecture and then to furnish it with such memorable poetry. These are two distinct and rare talents so - yes, it makes me happy to enjoy his great plays and then to think and write myself a bit on some point of interest from the play. Of course, there is also the added enjoyment from good acting and imaginative direction - quite a feast of good things, in fact!

[csg_dear4life]

I don't know much about Henry the IV, but it's a lovely poem.

[wongkk]

Thank you! That's a kind thing to say.

The Henry IV plays are an excuse for Shakespeare to invent and use one of his enduring comic (slightly tragi-comic) characters: the fat, unreliable, entertaining, cowardly, exaggerating, spongeing and egotistical Sir John Falstaff with his round belly and his unbelievable tales. In the plays, Falstaff is both popular and despised/pitied by the others on stage.

One of Shakespeare's real strengths is his offering of wonderful characters (they have great lines to speak and plenty of scope for individual interpretation) of more maturity and complexity than just the standard "hero"; it is a very positive thing that older and experienced actors have these famous parts to look forward to! Shakespeare wrote from inside the acting industry so his work is more than just writing - it really is theatre. (Excuse the enthusiastic outburst!)

[jackfirecat]

I'm even slower catching up - have just seen Richard II. (pretty, but dull, dramatically) The harrys await, I shall come back to poem then.

[wongkk]

Y, R2 is too petulant for good drama. However, I enjoy the poetry of the play very much. Imagine how frightful it would all have been in prose!

I look forward to your views on the 3 Hs.

[ditch_gospel]

The plays are all over my head, not having seen them, but your poem still managed to flow easily through my sleepy head.

Good night!