I’ve started some of the histories off recommendations. I enjoyed it a lot more than I imagined I would. I’m planning to start part 2 soon so I can find out what happens.

I feel like I enjoyed the first part much more than this second part, but I also many be realizing that the comedies and tragedies are much more suited for me than histories.

After doing some research I found that Part 2 is not as popular as Part 1, so now I understand why.

FFYAA

http://nhw.livejournal.com/1120743.ht...

This is a good play: essentially the education of young Prince Henry, under the two possibilities of ending up like the unhealthy drunk and cowardly Falstaff or the valiant young Harry Hotspur. The Falstaff option is vividly illustrated by highway robbery; the Hotspur option by rebellion. In the end, the Prince kills Hotspur, yet in a sense takes on his mantle.

It's a bit unfortunate that this gets mixed up with politics. The rebellion against King Henry is even more obscurely motivated than most, and it is one of the few unsuccessful rebellions in the canon. The Welsh angle is a bit peculiar as well, with actors instructed to "speak in Welsh" in one scene. Perhaps this is scene-setting for Part 2.

The Arkangel version has great performances from Julian Glover as Henry IV and especially Richard Griffiths as Falstaff. Alan Cox is good as Hotspur, but unfortunately Jamie Glover as Prince Hal doesn't quite seem to get the point of blank verse; I hope he improves over the course of the next two plays.
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Really liked this so much more than I ever dreamed I would. ( )

I'm not as fond of Shakespeare's histories as I am some of his other plays, but Falstaff is a great and memorable character. ( )