Act 5 of Henry IV, part 2 runs 536 lines across 5 scenes, carrying about 16.5% of the play’s total dialogue with 18 named speakers. It’s shorter than the play’s average act (650 lines).
Act opens (Scene 1, Shallow): “By cock and pie, sir, you shall not away to-night.”
Act closes (Scene 5, Lancaster): “before you; but, indeed, to pray for the queen.”
The 5 scenes of Act 5
| Scene | Lines | Speakers | Share of act |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scene 1 | 81 | 4 | 15.1% |
| Scene 2 | 147 | 6 | 27.4% |
| Scene 3 | 133 | 6 | 24.8% |
| Scene 4 | 31 | 3 | 5.8% |
| Scene 5 | 144 | 7 | 26.9% |
Who speaks in Act 5
The leading voice is King Henry V with 19% of Act 5’s dialogue (101 lines).
| Character | Lines in act | Share |
|---|---|---|
| King Henry V ♂ | 101 | 18.8% |
| Falstaff ♂ | 98 | 18.3% |
| Shallow ♂ | 72 | 13.4% |
| Lancaster ♂ | 55 | 10.3% |
| Pistol ♂ | 42 | 7.8% |
| Davy ♂ | 34 | 6.3% |
| Silence ♂ | 27 | 5.0% |
How Act 5 of Henry IV, part 2 compares to other historys
| Play | Act 5 lines | Scenes |
|---|---|---|
| Henry VIII | 653 | 5 |
| Henry VI, part 1 | 569 | 5 |
| Richard II | 565 | 6 |
| King John | 537 | 7 |
| Henry IV, part 2 (this act) | 536 | 5 |
| Henry IV, part 1 | 520 | 5 |
| Henry V | 516 | 3 |
| Henry VI, part 3 | 497 | 7 |
| Richard III | 482 | 5 |
| Henry VI, part 2 | 343 | 3 |
About Act 5 of Henry IV, part 2
How many lines are in Act 5 of Henry IV, part 2?
536 lines spread across 5 scenes.
Who dominates Act 5?
King Henry V delivers 19% of the act’s dialogue (101 lines).