Henry IV sits on a usurped throne, his conscience and his nobles
in revolt, while his son Hal is immersed in a self-indulgent life
of revelry with the notorious Sir John Falstaff. Shakespeare
explores questions of kingship and honor in this masterly mingling
of history, comedy, and tragedy.
Under the editorial supervision of Jonathan Bate
and Eric Rasmussen, two of today’s most accomplished Shakespearean
scholars, this Modern Library series incorporates definitive texts
and authoritative notes from William Shakespeare: Complete Works.
Each play includes an Introduction as well as an overview of
Shakespeare’s theatrical career; commentary on past and current
productions based on interviews with leading directors, actors, and
designers; scene-by-scene analysis; key facts about the work; a
chronology of Shakespeare’s life and times; and black-and-white
illustrations.
Ideal for students, theater professionals, and
general readers, these modern and accessible editions from the
Royal Shakespeare Company set a new standard in Shakespearean
literature for the twenty-first century.