In the introduction to this Arden edition of King Henry IV Part 2, A. R. Humphreys begins by discussing the original publication of the play, the establishing of its date, and the extent to which Shakespeare took liberties with historical facts in 1 and 2 Henry IV. The editor proceeds to examine the relationship between the two Henry IV plays, considering historical evidence and previous critical analysis. In the following section, Humphreys analyzes the several probable sources for the play, six of which appear in full in an appendix. Later in the introduction, the editor devotes substantial sections of his own criticism to the play's style and themes, with individual sections dedicated to Falstaff and the infamous scene of his rejection by Prince Hal. Humphreys finally dissects problems of the early texts, going over the nuances of the Quarto and Folio editions and comparing the two. Before the actual text of the play, notes are given on the particularities of this edition and its references and abbreviations. Following the text of King Henry IV Part 2 are eight appendices: "Source Material"; "Hall probably not a Source"; "II. i. 88: The Singing-Man of Windsor"; "Justice Shallow and Gloucestershire"; "Gaultree"; "The Continuity of Scenes in Act IV, i-ii, and iv-v"; "IV. v. 20-30: 'Why doth the crown lie there . . .'"; and "Henry and the Crusade." 

 

The Arden Shakespeare has developed a reputation as the pre-eminent critical edition of Shakespeare for its exceptional scholarship, reflected in the thoroughness of each volume. An introduction comprehensively contextualizes the play, chronicling the history and culture that surrounded and influenced Shakespeare at the time of its writing and performance, and closely surveying critical approaches to the work. Detailed appendices address problems like dating and casting, and analyze the differing Quarto and Folio sources. A full commentary by one or more of the play's foremost contemporary scholars illuminates the text, glossing unfamiliar terms and drawing from an abundance of research and expertise to explain allusions and significant background information. Highly informative and accessible, Arden offers the fullest experience of Shakespeare available to a reader.



Table of Contents
Preface

INTRODUCTION
1. Publication
2. Date
3. The Extent of Revision
    (i) Changes of Names
    (ii) Further Revisions?
4. The Relationship to 1 Henry IV
5. The Main Sources
    (i) Holinshed
    (ii) Daniel
    (iii) Stow
    (iv) Elyot
    (v) A Myrroure for Magistrates
    (vi) The ?Wild Prince Hal” Stories
    (vii) The Famous Victories of Henry the Fifth
    (viii) Other Prince Hal Plays?
6. Themes and their Treatment
    (i) Richard and Henry
    (ii) Henry and Necessity
    (iii) Statecraft and Morality
    (iv) Miscalculation
    (v) Anarchy
    (vi) Age and Disease
    (vii) Life in Place and Time
7. Falstaff
8. The Rejection
9. The Style and its Functions
10. The Text
    (i) The Transmission of the Text
    (ii) The Cuts in the Quarto
    (iii) The Copy for the Folio
    (iv) Comparison of the Quarto and Folio Texts
    (v) The Folio Text independent of the Quarto?
    (vi) The Folio Text not independent of the Quarto?
    (vii) The Answer?
    (viii) The Dering Manuscript
11. Editorial Methods
12. References and Abbreviations

THE SECOND PART OF KING HENRY THE FOURTH

APPENDICES
I. Source Material
    1. Holinshed
    2. Daniel
    3. Stow
    4. Elyot
    5. The Famous Victories of Henry the Fifth
    6. John Eliot: Ortho-epia Gallica
II. Hall probably not a Source
III. II. i. 88: The Singing-Man of Windsor
IV. Justice Shallow and Gloucestershire
V. Gaultree
VI. The Continuity of Scenes in Act IV, i-ii, and iv-v
VII. IV. v. 20-30: ?Why doth the crown lie there . . .”
VIII. Henry and the Crusade