King Henry IV, Part 1


Read by LibriVox Volunteers

(4.4 stars; 49 reviews)

King Henry IV, Part 1 is the second of Shakespeare’s eight Wars of the Roses history plays, with events following those of King Richard II. As the play opens, King Henry IV (formerly Henry Bolingbroke) and Henry Percy (Hotspur) argue over the disposition of prisoners from the Battle of Holmedon. The King’s attitude toward Mortimer and the Percy family prompts them to plot rebellion. In the meantime, his son Prince Hal is living the low life in the company of Sir John Falstaff. As the time of battle nears, Prince Hal joins his father and is given a high command. The play’s climax is the Battle of Shrewsbury, in which Prince Hal and Hotspur meet and fight, with Prince Hal and the forces of the King prevailing. The action continues in King Henry IV, Part 2. From the start this has been an extremely popular play both with the public and with critics. (Summary by Laurie Anne Walden and Wikipedia)

Characters:
Narrator/stage directions: read by Kalynda
King Henry IV and Douglas: read by Mark F. Smith
Henry, Prince of Wales: read by Max Porter Zasada
Prince John of Lancaster: read by Brian Edwards
Earl of Westmoreland: read by Larysa Jaworski
Sir Walter Blunt: read by Joshua B. Christensen
Earl of Worcester: read by David Barnes
Northumberland and 2nd Messenger: read by Lisa Wilson
Henry Percy (Hotspur): read by Michael Sirois
Edmund Mortimer: read by Scott Sherris
Scroop, Archbishop of York: read by Vin Reilly
Peto, Sir Michael, Chamberlain, and Travellers: read by Mockfrog
Owen Glendower: read by Denny Sayers
Sir Richard Vernon: read by David Muncaster
Sir John Falstaff: read by John Lieder
Poins: read by Jordan Schneider
Gadshill, Francis, and Ostler: read by Alan Clare
Bardolph: read by David Zezulka
Lady Percy: read by Cecelia Prior
Mrs. Quickly, Hostess: read by Rosalind Wills
First Carrier: read by Maria Morabe
Second Carrier: read by Ophelia Darcy
Servant: read by Katie Gibboney
Vintner: read by Lauren Tunnell Verdeyen
Sheriff: read by Heather Barnett
First Messenger: read by Laurie Anne Walden
(2 hr 50 min)

Chapters

Act I 32:57 Read by LibriVox Volunteers
Act II 50:01 Read by LibriVox Volunteers
Act III 35:21 Read by LibriVox Volunteers
Act IV 19:49 Read by LibriVox Volunteers
Act V 32:32 Read by LibriVox Volunteers

Reviews

Understanding dialogue of Shakespeare


(3 stars)

Reading/comprehending the text of Shakespeare can be daunting at times if your not sure of your speakers character and/or repartee with another. Such words as Capon {pron. Cape-on, as in fowl}...(not Cap-On)or the word Sirrah for Sir, I'm not trying to sound as if I'm the expert, but I know enough of the text for my ears to hurt when I hear such faux paz. I can almost assure some of the readers here have never seen this particular history play and it's not their fault. Maybe do a bit of research online for "Explanatory Notes" in order to capture the essence and tongue of the speaker(s). May I suggest shakespeare-online.com There you may find the hurley-burley and hugger-mugger of much learned details.

Pure excellence


(5 stars)

This collaboration was well put together. Everyone performed their roles so brilliantly that the voices seemed to blend well with the characters and their personalities.

OK, a little stiff but has multiple actors


(3 stars)

"So shaken as we are, so wan with care". It's a-k.

well read by all


(5 stars)

excellent royal history series by Shakespeare. most educational and enjoyable

YOU GUYS CRACK ME 🍃🌷UP SOO TOO FUNNY THANK YOU🍃🌷


(5 stars)


(5 stars)

Thoroughly enjoyed this great performances by all thank you!

Bit harx to understand, but its a good read.


(5 stars)

Hard to understand at times, as the English is rather old. However, listening as you read makes it much easier.