Henry IV Part I: Comprehensive Guide A Level

Set text for:
  • AQA B A Level
  • Eduqas A Level

Shakespeare’s well-loved history play has got it all: dramatic intrigue, exciting battles, humorous situations, and of course one of his most interesting comic characters, Sir John Falstaff. This jam-packed resource covers every aspect, including extensive background information and key quotations.

A really effective overview of this text...

...An effective balance between a scholarly overview, knowledge of dramatic techniques and encouragement of close textual examination

C McCloskey, Teacher & Peer Reviewer (1st edition)

Engage your students!

Includes debate prompts; active learning tasks; further reading suggestions; key literary and linguistic terms; practice essay questions throughout!

Tackles the key stages of text analysis:

  1. Walk-through
    Thorough section-by-section commentary walks students through each scene
  2. Drawing it all together
    In-depth discussion of whole text focuses on: characterisation, relationships, genre, themes, attitudes and values, language, form, structure, context, literary approaches
  3. Indicative content
    To support teaching by making sure all key areas are covered

Plus! A glossary of key terms ensures full understanding

What do teachers say about this resource? (7101)

A well-put-together resource, which offered a really effective overview of this text – themes, context, issues, characters, etc. I thought it struck a good balance between textual detail and the wider dramatic methods aspect, especially due to the Glossary of key dramatic terms... I particularly liked the Glossary and the sample answers to essay questions, as well as the close textual analysis of a number of key speeches. It is useful to have samples like this as close textual analysis is the heart of the skills you are trying to teach via Shakespeare... There is an effective balance between a scholarly overview, knowledge of dramatic techniques and encouragement of close textual examination.

C McCloskey, Teacher & Peer Reviewer (1st edition)

Very useful for A level students. A full and comprehensive summary of the play and main themes. I liked the background notes on Shakespeare and the historical background to Henry IV which puts the play into context. A level students would find the tips for reading Shakespeare very useful.

S Powell, Teacher & Peer Reviewer (1st edition)

Very well organised. The breakdown of material would be helpful for weaker students and allow stretch for the more academic. [I particularly like] the way in which key points are highlighted and how questions focus attention on main plot and character. [It] would allow students to study sections of the text independently without misunderstanding or missing key elements.

S Alsop, Teacher & Peer Reviewer (1st edition)