I would consider this the first of Shakespeare's really great works and a sign of his talent that will continue to develop over the next several years (it dates from the early 1590s most likely)

This is based on two very different scenes that show Shakespeares ability to portray emotion and depth and his sense for drama through contrast.

The first scene is based around Henry who observes the price the peasants pay for the war between nobles when he watches a son discover he has slain his father and a father who has slain his son. The grief and emotion in the scene actually moved me to tears.

That scene is shortly followed by a scene focusing on the hatred and war rage of the nobles, who are moved by hate and anger and a desire for vengeance and war.

The comparison between the two scenes clearly shows who is the better class, despite what the nobles may think.