"Uneasy Lies the Head that Wears the Crown" - Fathers and Sons in Shakespeare's History Plays

Abstract

Shakespeare made fathers of kings in his history plays, but these fathers were not always fit to care for England, who he personifies as the complex—sometimes rebellious—child of the monarchy. These political figures depended on indifferent time, who could be considered a character or entity akin to Rumor from 2 Henry IV or the Chorus of Henry V, which pays no heed to each king’s preparedness to rule when he inherits the throne. It is through a combination of chance, political scheming, and personality that determines when each king puts on the crown, but it is up to his father or father figures to influence who the king is when he takes on his royal responsibility.