Act 4, Scene 2 Summary

Falstaff and Bardolph are on a public road near Coventry. Falstaff sends Bardolph into the town to purchase more liquor. Alone, Falstaff confesses that his soldiers are a sad bunch of rascals and all because of Falstaff's misuse of the right to press soldiers into duty. Rather than selecting men who would be able to go to war, he found men who would buy themselves out of service, leaving him with a company of rascals and old men.

Prince Henry and Westmoreland arrive on the scene. Prince Henry comments on the beggarly condition of Falstaff's men. Falstaff banters back that they are but mortal men, and certainly good enough to be cannon fodder. As Hotspur is already in the field, the men do not stay to chatter. They exit to go to the battle.

Act 4, Scene 2 Analysis

This brief scene is...