Act I
The uprising led by Hotspur (Henry Percy) and his uncle (Thomas Percy, Earl of Worcester) against King Henry IV is almost quashed. Hotspur has been slain in the Battle of Shrewsbury by the king's newly reformed son, Prince Hal. Worcester has faced execution, and the Scottish leader, Douglas, has been captured but released for his bravery in battle. (Shakespeare's Henry IV, Part One covers the Percys' rebellion against King Henry IV and Prince Hal's wayward lifestyle.) King Henry IV is now focused on defeating the remaining rebel allies: the Earl of Northumberland (Hotspur's father), Archbishop Scroop, and the Welsh leader Owen Glendower. Meanwhile, Northumberland, who feigned illness to avoid the fight at Shrewsbury, hears false rumors that the rebels have triumphed and that his son, Hotspur, is still alive. When the truth emerges, he contemplates renewing the conflict against the king by teaming up with his ally Scroop, who champions the cause in the name of the slain King Richard I, whom Henry IV had overthrown. In London, Sir John Falstaff clashes with the chief justice over his involvement in a highway robbery (see Henry IV, Part One). Since Falstaff has been conscripted to fight against the rebels, the chief justice releases him with a stern warning to act his age and stop leading Prince Hal astray. In York, at the archbishop's palace, Scroop and his allies deliberate on their chances of defeating the king without Northumberland's support and resolve to fight regardless of his decision.

Act II
On a London street, Hostess Quickly (of the Boar's Head Tavern in Eastcheap) tries to make Falstaff settle his debts to her but ends up agreeing to lend him more money. Meanwhile, "exceeding weary" after the Battle of Shrewsbury, Prince Hal has reverted to his dissolute habits; he and Poins plot to surprise Falstaff at their old haunt, the Boar's Head Tavern (II.ii.l). At his castle in Warkworth, Northumberland is convinced by his wife and daughter-in-law (Hotspur's widow) to flee to Scotland instead of joining Scroop against the king. At the Boar's Head Tavern, Falstaff affectionately squabbles with the prostitute, Doll Tearsheet, until his loud-mouthed ensign, Pistol, arrives and nearly incites a brawl. After Pistol is expelled, the prince and Poins appear in disguise to spy on Falstaff and Doll Tearsheet; they mock the rotund knight for some disparaging comments he makes to Doll about the prince. Peto arrives with the latest news of the rebellion, prompting the guilt-ridden Hal to return to court. When Falstaff is summoned to war, Doll and Hostess Quickly tearfully bid him farewell.

Act III
Feeling ill and despondent, King Henry endures a sleepless night at his palace in Westminster. The Earl of Warwick arrives to report that the war against the rebels is progressing favorably and that Glendower has died. Meanwhile, Falstaff, with the assistance of an old acquaintance named Justice Shallow, is busy recruiting soldiers for the battle. In a soliloquy, Falstaff reveals his plan to deceive Justice Shallow after the war. (A soliloquy is a speech delivered by a character when alone, intended to convey their thoughts or future actions to the audience.)

Act IV
Near the forest of Gaultree in Yorkshire, Archbishop Scroop and his allies learn that Northumberland has fled to Scotland. The Earl of Westmerland invites them to discuss terms with Prince John, the king's son, who promises to address their grievances if they disband their armies. After Scroop and his allies comply, John immediately arrests them for treason, explaining that while he promised to rectify the issues raised by the rebels, he never vowed to pardon their...