# King Henry IV — Henry IV, Part I character guide > King Henry IV in Henry IV, Part I by William Shakespeare. **Role:** major **Also known as:** King Henry, King Harry, Enter King Henry **First appearance:** 0000-henry-iv-part-i ## Snapshot A king who won his crown through civil war and now finds rebellion sprouting in his own kingdom while his son wastes away in taverns. ## Who they are Henry IV opens the play weary and guilt-ridden, hoping a crusade to the Holy Land will wash away the blood of the civil war that put him on the throne. Instead he receives news of Mortimer's capture by Glendower and Hotspur's victory at Holmedon, and his envy of Northumberland's son sharpens his grief over his own. His private conference with Hal — comparing his heir unfavorably to Hotspur — reveals a father whose political anxiety and personal disappointment are inseparable. ## Relationships ### [Prince Hal](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/henry_iv_part_i_se/characters/prince_hal) _family_ A strained father-son relationship marked by the king's disappointment in Hal's dissolute lifestyle and Hal's eventual redemption. ### [Hotspur](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/henry_iv_part_i_se/characters/hotspur) _rivalry_ Hotspur is a proud, hot-tempered rebel who defies King Henry's authority and leads a rebellion against him. ### [Douglas](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/henry_iv_part_i_se/characters/douglas) _rivalry_ Douglas is a fierce Scottish warrior fighting against King Henry, seeking to kill him in battle. ### [Falstaff](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/henry_iv_part_i_se/characters/falstaff) _rivalry_ King Henry despises Falstaff as a corrupting influence on his son and a symbol of everything wrong with Hal's behavior. ### [Worcester](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/henry_iv_part_i_se/characters/worcester) _rivalry_ Worcester is a former ally turned rebel leader, whom King Henry views as a treacherous and dangerous adversary. ### [Prince Hal](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/henry_iv_part_i_se/characters/prince_hal) _family_ A strained father-son relationship marked by the king's disappointment in Hal's dissolute lifestyle and Hal's eventual redemption. ### [Falstaff](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/henry_iv_part_i_se/characters/falstaff) _rivalry_ King Henry despises Falstaff as a corrupting influence on his son and a symbol of everything wrong with Hal's behavior. ### [Hotspur](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/henry_iv_part_i_se/characters/hotspur) _rivalry_ Hotspur is a proud, hot-tempered rebel who defies King Henry's authority and leads a rebellion against him. ### [Worcester](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/henry_iv_part_i_se/characters/worcester) _rivalry_ Worcester is a former ally turned rebel leader, whom King Henry views as a treacherous and dangerous adversary. ### [Prince Hal](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/henry_iv_part_i_se/characters/prince_hal) _family_ A strained father-son relationship marked by the king's disappointment in Hal's dissolute lifestyle and Hal's eventual redemption. ### [Falstaff](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/henry_iv_part_i_se/characters/falstaff) _rivalry_ King Henry despises Falstaff as a corrupting influence on his son and a symbol of everything wrong with Hal's behavior. ## In the story ### [Scene I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/henry_iv_part_i_se/chapters/act-i-scene-i) Opens the scene expressing weariness with civil war and a desire for a crusade; he is envious of Hotspur's honor and disappointed in his own son, Prince Hal. ### [Scene III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/henry_iv_part_i_se/chapters/act-i-scene-iii) King Henry asserts his authority, dismisses Worcester, and refuses to ransom Mortimer, whom he considers a traitor. ### [Scene II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/henry_iv_part_i_se/chapters/act-iii-scene-ii) Confronts Prince Hal, comparing his behavior to Richard II's and praising Hotspur's honor. ### [Scene I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/henry_iv_part_i_se/chapters/act-iv-scene-i) Reported to be setting forth in person with a strong army against the rebels. ### [Scene IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/henry_iv_part_i_se/chapters/act-iv-scene-iv) Described as having raised a mighty army including the Prince of Wales, Prince John, Westmoreland, and Blunt to meet the rebels at Shrewsbury. ### [Scene I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/henry_iv_part_i_se/chapters/act-v-scene-i) Arrives at the camp near Shrewsbury, confronts Worcester, and offers peace to the rebels. ### [Scene II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/henry_iv_part_i_se/chapters/act-v-scene-ii) Referenced as the king who offers peace but is distrusted by Worcester; his forces approach the rebel camp. ### [Scene III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/henry_iv_part_i_se/chapters/act-v-scene-iii) Enters with his power at the start of the scene, though not directly involved in the action. ### [Scene IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/henry_iv_part_i_se/chapters/act-v-scene-iv) Is rescued by Prince Hal from Douglas, acknowledges Hal's bravery, and redeems his lost opinion. ### [Scene V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/henry_iv_part_i_se/chapters/act-v-scene-v) Rebukes Worcester for rejecting peace, sentences him and Vernon to death, and divides the royal army to crush remaining rebels. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/henry_iv_part_i_se/characters/king_henry_iv - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/henry_iv_part_i_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/henry_iv_part_i_se/characters