Henry IV Part 2 is characterized by its complex and morally ambiguous tone. Unlike many other playwrights of his day, Shakespeare does not portray his characters as uncomplicated heroes or villains. So, too, he refrains from fully resolving the political and ethical issues raised by the play. On stage, the play can be adapted and interpreted in various, often conflicting ways: as a patriotic celebration of royal power, or as a cynical interrogation of that same power.
One of the primary sources of moral ambiguity in the play is the character of Prince Hal, who will eventually become King Henry V. At the beginning of the play, Hal is torn between two contrasting worlds: the tavern life led by the roguish Sir John Falstaff and the responsibilities of his royal lineage. Hal's association with Falstaff and other low-life characters raises questions about his sense of duty, honor, and the company he keeps. His sudden repudiation of his former friends at the play’s conclusion casts his character into further question. Though his actions suggest that he will make an effective king, many audiences feel that his rejection of Falstaff is unnecessarily cruel and unfeeling.
The political landscape of the play adds another layer of moral complexity. King Henry IV is beset by rebellions and political challenges, which force him to make difficult decisions to maintain his hold on the throne. These decisions often involve the suppression of uprisings and the ruthless treatment of rebels, despite the fact that he himself gained the throne through an uprising and was once a rebel. While Henry may have valid reasons for his actions, they raise ethical questions about the cost of maintaining power and the moral compromises that leaders must make. In particular, his decision to execute the rebels without trial, even after they have dissolved their armies, casts him in a villainous rather than heroic light.
