Henry IV

Pirandello’s play “Henry IV” plays with the idea of what is comic and what is not. Henry IV’s character is an actor has gone mad because of an accident and now believes that he is the real Henry IV. The situation surrounding this man, such as the constant role those around him are required to play, as well as Henry’s apparent obliviousness create a humorous atmosphere even though the situation itself is tragic. In a strange turn of events, Henry reveals to the men hired to act as his counselors that he has been aware of reality for quite some time and was only playing along with the act of being mad. This strips away any tragedy from the play since the audience loses any sympathy for the “victim” and views the whole situation as a joke being played on those around Henry. The play, all of the sudden, becomes comic rather than humorous. Since there is no tragic circumstance beneath the absurdity, there is no need for reflection and the audience is free to laugh and find pleasure from the cruel joke being played on those around Henry. The shocking ending of Henry's attack on Belcredi confuses the audience and again brings about a sense of dark humor. Had Henry been mad all along? Or was he now simply acting out of anger for Belcredi, emboldened by his prolonged act of madness? Henry was afraid of losing something that he had clung to for so long- his identity as Henry IV. Of all the characters in the play, he was one who did not have a separate "real" name mentioned, and in admitting that he was sane, he threatened the loss of the only self he had left. His men seem to have this problem as well, since even after he has his confession, they still obey his orders when he tells them to hold everyone back.