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Quotes
King Henry IV
The reigning King of England at play’s start, King Henry IV, falls gravely sick and he dies, passing the crown to his son King Henry V. While alive, King Henry IV is wracked…
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Prince Hal/King Henry V
Starting the play as a drunken, rowdy, fun-loving frat boy, Prince Hal surprises everyone by abandoning his wild ways at his father’s deathbed and maturing into the serious, sober, and fair-minded King Henry V…
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Sir John Falstaff
As drunken and unscrupulously depraved as he is witty and lovable, Falstaff is Prince Hal’s best friend. Though he often expounds with virtuosic elegance about his heroism, uprightness, and worth, Falstaff is in fact…
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The Lord Chief Justice
Dignified, honorable, and unfailingly moral, the Lord Chief Justice is a powerful advisor in King Henry IV’s court who imprisons the raucous young Prince Hal for misbehavior. Though the Chief Justice expects King Henry…
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Lady Percy
The wife of Hotspur, who led the rebellion against King Henry IV in King Henry IV Part 1 and was killed in that play by Prince Hal during the Battle of Shrewsbury. Lady Percy is…
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Get the entire Henry IV Part 2 LitChart as a printable PDF.
Minor Characters
Prince John of Lancaster
A son of King Henry IV and Prince Hal’s younger brother, Lancaster tricks the rebels the Archbishop of York, Mowbray, and Hastings by promising peace and then arresting them. He is both morally upright and, in that uprightness, somewhat unfeeling or even cruel.
Henry Percy, Earl of Northumberland
A rebel and the father of the late Hotspur, who Prince Hal killed in the Battle of Shrewsbury. Northumberland abandons the other rebels and escapes to Scotland.
The Archbishop of York
A rebel leader who plots the rebellion against King Henry IV with Lord Bardolph, Mowbray, and Hastings. He claims that his support of the rebellion is not in his own interest, but in that of a "sickened" England.
Mowbray
A rebel leader who plots the rebellion against King Henry IV with the Archbishop of York, Lord Bardolph, and Hastings.
Hastings
A rebel leader who plots the rebellion against King Henry IV with the Archbishop of York, Lord Bardolph, and Mowbray.
Lord Bardolph
A rebel leader who plots the rebellion against King Henry IV with the Archbishop of York, Mowbray, and Hastings, and is not to be confused with Falstaff’s servant Bardolph.
Mistress Quickly
The hostess of the tavern in Eastcheap frequented by Prince Hal and Falstaff, Mistress Quickly is slow-witted and, despite her fury at Falstaff’s bankrupting her with his constant money borrowing, remains easy for Falstaff to win back over.
Doll Tearsheet
Falstaff’s favorite prostitute, Doll Tearsheet is witty, fun-loving, and very affectionate towards Falstaff.
Ned Poins
Prince Hal’s crony and tavern buddy.
Bardolph
Falstaff’s manservant.
Falstaff’s Page
Falstaff’s servant.
Peto
Falstaff’s and Prince Hal’s tavern buddy.
Earl of Westmoreland
A nobleman and advisor to King Henry IV, Westmoreland helps Lancaster coordinate the arrest of the rebels.
Humphrey, Duke of Gloucester
A son of King Henry IV and Prince Hal’s younger brother.
Thomas, Duke of Clarence
A son of King Henry IV and Prince Hal’s younger brother.
Justice Shallow
A wealthy judge and old acquaintance of Falstaff’s, who Falstaff mocks and exploits for money.
Justice Silence
A judge and old acquaintance of Falstaff’s.
Earl of Warwick
A nobleman and advisor to King Henry IV.
Earl of Surrey
A nobleman and advisor to King Henry IV.
Sir John Blunt
A nobleman and advisor to King Henry IV.
Davy
Justice Shallow’s servant.
Morton
A messenger to Northumberland.
Pistol
An aggressive ensign who serves under Falstaff in the army.
Fang
An officer Mistress Quickly Prince enlists to help her sue Falstaff.
Snare
An officer Mistress Quickly Prince enlists to help her sue Falstaff.
Mouldy
A recruit Falstaff drafts into the army.
Feeble
A recruit Falstaff drafts into the army.
Bullcalf
A recruit Falstaff drafts into the army.
Shadow
A recruit Falstaff drafts into the army.
Wart
A recruit Falstaff drafts into the army.
Coleville
A rebel captured by Falstaff.
Rumor
Personified rumor, Rumor opens the play by setting the scene.
Lord Marshall
One of the rebel lords against King Henry IV.
Harcourt
A lord who supports King Henry IV.
Lady Northumberland
The wife of Northumberland she convinces her husband to avoid supporting the rebellion against King Henry IV until it is better organized, and in the meantime to flee to Scotland.
Travers
Northumberland's servant, who brings news of the defeat of the rebels at Shrewsbury (which occurred at the end of King Henry IV Part 1.
Gower
A courtier of King Henry IV.
