Literary Commentary

Baines, Barbara J. "Kingship of the Silent King: A Study of Shakespeare's Bolingbroke. English Studies 61, No.1 (February 1980): 24-36.

Baines analyzes the lessons that Henry teaches his son, giving special attention to Henry's instruction that kingship is not simply inherited; it must be earned.

Bennett, Robert B. "Hal's Crisis of Timing." Cahiers Elisabethains, No. 13 (April 1978): 15-23.

Argues that critics underestimate the tension and the crisis of the tavern scene. Shows how Hal's "political readiness" is weakened by this incident.

Bueler, Lois. "Falstaff in the Eye of the Beholder." Essays in Literature 1, No.1 (January 1973): 1-12.

Examines the array of critical opinions on Falstaff, arguing that age and gender affect the reader's view of Falstaff. Explains that older, male critics view Falstaff as a figure of wish-fulfillment.

Callahan, E. F. "Lyric Origins of the Unity of 1 Henry IV." Costerus 3 (1972): 9-22.

Analyzes how Shakespeare's use of...