Henry IV, Part One | Themes
The opening lines of Henry IV: Part I are given to the play's title character, as the king and founder of the Bolingbrook dynasty says, "So shaken as we are, wan with care" (I.i.1). The play begins in the midst of tumultuous historical events, the overthrow of the "sad poet" king Richard II, civil war and rebellion arising in its wake. In this first speech of the play, Henry IV expresses heartfelt relief that civil butchery is over and turns to his anointed role as a defender of Christendom and Christian England.
Forthwith a power of English shall we levy,
Whose...
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