Podcast 68: The Second Part of Henry the Fourth: Wrap-Up
This week's really short podcast concludes our month-long discussion of The Second Part of Henry the Fourth with some final thoughts, as well as a production concept and a possible cast. Then, we'll finish up with our usual recap of this week's blog entries.
Download | Duration: 00:07:19
Podcast Credits
This podcast was recorded using a Blue Snowball microphone onto a Dell XPS 400 computer, using Adobe Soundbooth recording and editing software.
The bumper music (Loop 90) and the segue music (Morning Show Segue) are courtesy of Royalty Free Music.com , which offers a comprehensive music library of production music for your various royalty free music needs including full albums, tracks and free music clips, loops, and beats available for download.
First, thanks for the credit.
I just finished listening to the Henriad (the Arkangel CDs are really good for long drives), and am more firmly convinced that Part 2 is there too justify Hal's turning away from his tavern pals. I also think Shakespeare has a broader purpose.
Just about everybody in the play is old, humorless, corrupt, or decrepit, or some combination. Just compare "old and valiant" Jack Falstaff in Part 1 to "I am old" Falstaff in Part 2. Even England seems old and worn out. I think this is all there to fulfill Hal's prophecy in Part 1 that he will imitate the sun: "Being wanted, he may be more wondered at//By breaking through the foul and ugly mists//Of vapors that did seem to strangle him."
I was relieved when I finished Part 2, and guess what? Part 2 works great in setting up Henry V. As a stand alone play, however, Part 2 doesn't make the grade.
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