An exploration of the presentation of the theme of kingship on Henry IV part one.

An exploration of the presentation of the theme of Kingship in Henry IV Part One.

The idea of Kingship is explored through many different characters, skills and respects in Henry 4th part one. In many respects it can be viewed as an analysis of the qualities needed to be a successful king. Shakespeare shows many different characters who each possess some or each of the following qualities; leadership, politics, loyalty, heroism, and majesty. It could be argued that Shakespeare thinks a successful king possess all of these qualities.
At the time of the Elizabethans, there were many issues to consider. The problems concerning who was going to succeed Queen Elizabeth were huge, as in that period; ‘Divine Right’ was considered the uppermost priority. The queen was also under threat of a Spanish war. This was all contributing to a time of turmoil not as a halcyon time as it is more widely interpreted to be.
What methods Shakespeare used whist displaying Kingship were to use vario...