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MonkeyNotes-Henry IV, Part 1 by William Shakespeare
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PLOT (Structure)
Many Shakespearean plays have two plots running together, the
main plot and the subplot, with the conflict being exposed in the
main plot of the play. In this historical play, the main plot has the
serious theme of insurgents rebelling against the king. The sub-plot
consists of minor characters who provide comic relief and laughter.
The main plot and the subplot alternate at just the right moment, so
that the audience does not get an overdose of either the serious or
the ludicrous.
Prince Hal, a royal member, who should belong to the main plot, is
introduced in the subplot with Falstaff and the robbers. So Prince
Hal is the link between the two plots. The main plot and the
subplot merge in the middle of 1 Henry IV, when Hal forswears his
misbehavior and vows to support his father in crushing the
rebellion. This signals the true climax of the play, although the
defeat of the rebels comes much later. From here, the outcome is
certain. As the king's forces become more and more unified, the
rebels fall into dispute and disarray due to internal conflicts. The
outcome of the conflict is the king's victory over the rebels at
Shrewsbury, and the play ends on a happy note.
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MonkeyNotes-Henry IV, Part 1 by William Shakespeare
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