A play alive with escapades and action, comedy and history, <b>Henry IV, Part One </b>begins the transformation of the madcap Prince Hal into the splendid ruler King Henry. In it a rebellion against King and State is juxtaposed with another rebellion–the riotous misbehavior of Hal and his companions, principally Falstaff. A superbly funny liar, coward, lecher, and cheat, the larger-than-life character Falstaff turns this great historical drama into a masterpiece of counterpoint and design. <br /><br />Each Edition Includes:<br />• Comprehensive explanatory notes <br />• Vivid introductions and the most up-to-date scholarship <br />• Clear, modernized spelling and punctuation, enabling contemporary readers to understand the Elizabethan English<br />• Completely updated, detailed bibliographies and performance histories <br />• An interpretive essay on film adaptations of the play, along with an extensive filmography