Giddy Lies the Head that Wears the Crown: Apoplexy and Political Spectacle in 2 Henry IV.

Henry IV (Play : Shakespeare); Diseases in literature; Shakespeare, William, 1564-1616; Kings & rulers in literature; Cerebrovascular disease diagnosis

The article examines the symbolism of the falling sickness depicted in the second part of the play "Henry IV," by William Shakespeare. Topics covered include the collapse of the king's character into a comatose state which was diagnosed as an apoplexy, the analysis of Henry IV's apoplexy in the context of its diagnosis and cure and the effect of apoplexy on bodily motion and mental reason.