“Discretion Is the Better Part of Valor”: Shakespeare’s Henry IV Plays (Zoom)
Winter (14+ hours) | Registration opens 11/23/2026 12:00 AM EDT
Written at the height of William Shakespeare’s career, his plays King Henry IV, Part 1 and Part 2, portray a nation embroiled in civil wars over rival claims to the throne. In this course, we will explore how Shakespeare portrays the effects of the wars on all levels of society, from the royal family, the nobility, and the clergy to the lowliest criminals. We will also analyze the conflicts within each side: between young warriors and cautious father figures and between the quest for glory and the pursuit of pleasure. As we read the plays, we will become more familiar with Shakespeare’s style and literary techniques and how he transformed his historical sources into vibrant drama. The primary instructional approaches for the course will be guided discussion and occasional brief lectures.
This course will consist of discussions between the Study Leader and participants.
Required Books:
-
- Henry IV, Part 1 – William Shakespeare (ISBN-13: 978-1904271352)
- Henry IV, Part 2 – William Shakespeare (ISBN-13: 978-1904271376)
Marilyn Roberts
Marilyn Roberts is Professor Emeritus of English at Waynesburg University. During her graduate studies at Columbia University and Newcastle University, she specialized in the plays of Shakespeare and his contemporaries. Besides having taught Shakespeare at the college level for over thirty years as well as in several Osher courses, she has published articles about Shakespeare, Jane Austen, and other authors.