It is light on set design, props and unnecessary decoration and instead is rich with simple humanity and story. A story of loyalty, love, duty and honour, the rise of the boy to man links the three plays and the exposition hidden in well delivered gags makes the story all the more clear. He has the ear of the common man and considers the common man friend rather than subject.In the GlobeвЂ™s Henry IV and V trilogy, the comedy is dialled up to the max and as a result the action switches between riotous romp, pulling us up with the sudden reality of war, reminding us that these were extraordinary times lived by ordinary people. Hal, on the other hand, is well-rounded, well-traveled, and thoughtful.

King Henry IV (Bollingbroke) is on the throne as it begins, celebrating another victory of young Hotspur whilst wishing his own son Hal, would be half as noble. This is especially true in scenes where King Henry compares his son (unfavorably) to Part 1 finds the Bollingbroke family who have been assisted in winning the crown of England by the wealthy Earl of Northumberland and his mighty son Harry Percy (Hotspur). From the plays beginning, Hotspur is a foil to Prince Hal. He is eclipsed by Falstaff as the comic hero, and by Hotspur, who can be seen as the playвЂ™s tragic hero.Foil Character Role Analysis Hotspur to Prince Hal. All of his offenses live upon my head and on his father's.When 1 Henry IV is viewed by itself, without the idea that one should be following Hal as he is going to be more important throughout the plays sequels, his character falls short of satisfying the role of dramatic figure.

But the comedy is still there. Perhaps this production felt that the audience would enjoy their history with a laid-back flavour? I went along with this style and although I very much enjoyed it - especially Sarah AmankwhaвЂ™s sincere, beaming smile -the production might have been better served with the usual thrills that the battles of Harfleur and Agincourt usually muster. When the newly crowned young King Henry V tells the snooty French messenger вЂњtell the Dauphin I am comingвЂќ I was all set for the hair on the back of my neck to tingle but the threat was thrown away. Thankfully Mistress Quickly and the boys make another appearance and Jonathan BroadbentвЂ™s adorable hostess brings back the fun to Eastcheap.The most perfectly rounded of the three plays, Henry V is all set to bring home the hero and although this production delivered the goods, there was a casualness to the movement and vocal delivery that may be have been a directorial choice. My only disappointment in part two was a slightly less than noble King Henry IV who never quite embodied the presence or pride of a warrior King, and the lack of emotion opening the play when NorthumberlandвЂ™s reaction to news of his death was glanced over without the tragedy we should have felt. Although it continues HalвЂ™s journey from boy to man, this time distanced from his old pal Falstaff, whose boozy and traitorous meanderings result in a final casting aside when Hal is crowned King.

This version of British history and this production celebrate the beating heart of a nation which once had strong leaders. вЂњthey sell the pasture now to buy the horseвЂќ. Why else would every man in England practice the longbow for hours every weekend, giving up their Sunday morning football to prepare to serve their King? The audience are definitely on her team.In this three part history, Shakespeare has us believe that prince Hal, in spite of his dodgy escapades around town with Falstaff, drinking, philandering with saucy wenches and even stealing for sport, was so beloved by the ordinary folk of English that they couldnвЂ™t wait to join him as he rose (at long last) to fight the French. Tiny but with towering inner strength, charismatic and endearing, AmankwhaвЂ™s Henry is one of the most likeable IвЂ™ve ever seen вЂ“ exactly what he should be.

Hotspur Henry Iv Part 1