Donald J. Richardson

The Complete Henry Iv, Part Two: an Annotated Edition of the Shakespeare Play Donald J. Richardson

Henry IV, Part Two as a sequel to or continuation of Henry IV, Part One is disappointing. The resolution of the uprising is anticlimactic, and the Falstaff scenes are not comparable to those of Part One. The bawdy is substantially increased with, unfortunately, a lessening of the actual comedy. Falstaff lovers probably are not disappointed, but those of us with higher expectations may experience a letdown. Perhaps this points us toward The Merry Wives of Windsor, itself less than totally satisfying.