Henry IV

The Henriad Part 2

In a dramatic triple-header, the Guthrie Theater plays host to three plays by William Shakespeare which each form part of The Henriad, the celebrated playwright's history of 14th and 15th century English kings. Chronicling the drama, strife and political power struggles which gripped the throne, as with all of Shakespeare's timeless work they're as much an exploration of the human condition as they are his account of England's history.

Henry IV is the second part of The Henriad. With King Henry IV grappling with rebellious factions within and political threats from the outside, his mischievous son Prince Hal must grow up and prove himself as a genuine future leader during a decisive clash at the Battle of Shrewsbury. Written in the final years of the 16th Century, it's both a thrilling entry and the perfect setup for The Henriad's grand finale, King Henry V.