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Henry IV ( Part 2 ) the play by William Shakespeare

Summary of the plot or story
There is much confusion when the fighting is over but the royalists defeat the rebels. More fighting ensues and once again Sir John Falstaff appears in the plot encouraging Prince Hal in his boisterous ways. The rebels are finally defeated and peace reigns. However, he dies and Hal becomes King Henry V. Hal realises he must change and becomes a sober and solemn person. Falstaff is banished from Hal's court and is lectured to also change his wayward ways.

Information provided about the play
William Shakespeare never published any of his plays and therefore none of the original manuscripts have survived. Eighteen unauthorised versions of his plays were, however, published during his lifetime in quarto editions by unscrupulous publishers (there were no copyright laws protecting Shakespeare and his works during the Elizabethan era). A collection of his works did not appear until 1623 ( a full seven years after Shakespeare's death on April 23, 1616) when two of his fellow actors, John Hemminges and Henry Condell, posthumously recorded his work and published 36 of William’s plays in the First Folio. Some dates are therefore approximate other dates are substantiated by historical events, records of performances and the dates plays appeared in print.

Date first performed
It is believed that the drama was first performed on March 3rd 1592. In the Elizabethan era there was a huge demand for new entertainment and the work would have been produced immediately following the completion of the play.

Date first printed
It is believed that the script was first printed in 1594 although this has now been confirmed. As William Shakespeare clearly did not want his work published details of the play would have therefore been noted, and often pirated without his consent, following a performance.

The settings
The settings are London, York, Westminster, Gloucestershire and Yorkshire in England

The theme of Henry IV ( Part 2 )
The play is categorised as a History

Number of words
The number of words in thescript, according to the Complete Public Domain Text is 27,969