The authoritative edition of Henry IV from The Folger Shakespeare Library, the trusted and widely used Shakespeare series for students and general readers. Family relationships are at the center of Henry IV, Part 1. King Henry IV and Prince Hal form one major father-son pair, with Henry in despair because Hal lives a dissolute life. The father-son pair of Hotspur (Lord Henry Percy) and his father, the Earl of Northumberland, is in seeming contrast; the king envies Northumberland “his Harry,” wishing he could claim the gallant Hotspur as his own. Meanwhile, Hal has entered into a quasi-father-son relationship with a disreputable but amusing knight, Sir John Falstaff. Another strand of action centers on still more family relationships. Hotspur’s stand against Henry focuses on Hotspur’s brother-in-law, Mortimer. Mortimer, who fought against the Welsh magician Owen Glendower, was defeated and captured and has married Glendower’s daughter. King Henry pronounces Mortimer a traitor whom he will not ransom. Hotspur, in declaring war on Henry, sees himself as fighting for Mortimer, his wife’s brother. This edition includes: -Freshly edited text based on the best early printed version of the play -Full explanatory notes conveniently placed on pages facing the text of the play -Scene-by-scene plot summaries -A key to the play’s famous lines and phrases -An introduction to reading Shakespeare’s language -An essay by a leading Shakespeare scholar providing a modern perspective on the play -Fresh images from the Folger Shakespeare Library’s vast holdings of rare books -An annotated guide to further reading Essay by Alexander Leggatt The Folger Shakespeare Library in Washington, DC, is home to the world’s largest collection of Shakespeare’s printed works, and a magnet for Shakespeare scholars from around the globe. In addition to exhibitions open to the public throughout the year, the Folger offers a full calendar of performances and programs. For more information, visit Folger.edu.

本作は王冠の重圧に喘ぐ父と放蕩息子の相克を描いた、歴史劇の枠を超えた至高の成長譚です。理想の武人ホットスパーと王子ハルの鮮烈な対比を通じ、著者は「名誉」という概念の虚実を鋭く問いかけます。権力闘争の冷徹な舞台装置の上で、未熟な魂が自己を確立していく過程は、時代を超えて読む者の心を激しく揺さぶります。 さらに、文学史上最も愛される快楽主義者フォルスタッフの存在が、物語に圧倒的な生命力を与えています。彼は機知に富んだ饒舌さで高潔な道徳を笑い飛ばし、人間の本能を全肯定します。王宮の緊張感と酒場の喧騒が交錯する重層的な世界観こそ、本作の真髄です。フォルジャー版の精緻な解説を道標に、シェイクスピアが放つ言葉の奔流をぜひ魂で感じてください。