Henry Percy

Character Analysis

Henry Percy is the Earl of Northumberland's son. We find out in Act 2, Scene 2 that he's turned on Richard and has joined up (along with his dad) with Henry Bolingbroke's forces. He plays an important part in helping Henry win the English crown, but Shakespeare doesn't really develop his character much. Still, we get a sneak peek into what we can expect from his character in the sequel, Henry IV Part 1, where he becomes "Hotspur," the hot-headed nobleman who helps lead the rebellion against his former pal King Henry.