# Bardolph — Henry IV, Part I character guide

> Bardolph in Henry IV, Part I by William Shakespeare.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Sir John, Bardolph Yea, Bardolph Choler

**First appearance:** 0009-act-ii-scene-iv

## Snapshot

A red-faced rogue in Falstaff's crew, whose flaming nose and petty thievery make him the butt of endless tavern jokes.

## Who they are

Bardolph follows Falstaff through the taverns and back alleys of Eastcheap, a small-time thief whose glowing nose draws more attention than his conscience. He is loyal, cowardly, and utterly at home in the low company Hal keeps. His presence grounds the play's comedy in the grubby reality of the prince's double life.

## Relationships

### [Falstaff](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/henry_iv_part_i_se/characters/falstaff)

_friendship_

Bardolph is Falstaff's loyal, dim-witted drinking companion and fellow criminal, bound by shared debauchery.

### [Prince Hal](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/henry_iv_part_i_se/characters/prince_hal)

_friendship_

Bardolph is a low-life companion of Prince Hal, part of the tavern crew that indulges in drinking and thievery with the prince.

### [Francis](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/henry_iv_part_i_se/characters/francis)

_social_

Bardolph and Francis are both part of the same low-life tavern milieu, with Bardolph as a customer and Francis as the drawer.

### [Falstaff](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/henry_iv_part_i_se/characters/falstaff)

_friendship_

Bardolph is Falstaff's loyal, dim-witted drinking companion and fellow criminal, bound by shared debauchery.

### [Prince Hal](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/henry_iv_part_i_se/characters/prince_hal)

_friendship_

Bardolph is a low-life companion of Prince Hal, part of the tavern crew that indulges in drinking and thievery with the prince.

### [Falstaff](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/henry_iv_part_i_se/characters/falstaff)

_friendship_

Bardolph is Falstaff's loyal, dim-witted drinking companion and fellow criminal, bound by shared debauchery.

### [Prince Hal](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/henry_iv_part_i_se/characters/prince_hal)

_friendship_

Bardolph is a low-life companion of Prince Hal, part of the tavern crew that indulges in drinking and thievery with the prince.

### [Francis](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/henry_iv_part_i_se/characters/francis)

_social_

Bardolph and Francis are both part of the same low-life tavern milieu, with Bardolph as a customer and Francis as the drawer.

## In the story

### [Scene II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/henry_iv_part_i_se/chapters/act-ii-scene-ii)

Joins the robbery crew and reports the travelers' approach.

### [Scene IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/henry_iv_part_i_se/chapters/act-ii-scene-iv)

Participates in the mockery of Falstaff's cowardice and admits to running away on instinct.

### [Scene III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/henry_iv_part_i_se/chapters/act-iii-scene-iii)

Engages in banter with Falstaff about his face and is sent by Prince Hal to deliver a letter to Lord John of Lancaster.

### [Scene II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/henry_iv_part_i_se/chapters/act-iv-scene-ii)

Bardolph is sent ahead to Coventry to procure sack and to deliver a message to Lieutenant Peto.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/henry_iv_part_i_se/characters/bardolph
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/henry_iv_part_i_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/henry_iv_part_i_se/characters