The power struggle is a key theme in Shakespeare's plays King Henry IV Part I and Measure for Measure. In both plays there are characters trying to make their way through the social hierarchy and gain as much power as possible. In King Henry IV Part I, King Henry has difficulty maintaining control of the power he has. Before Henry became king, he overthrew King Richard II. As the play begins, he must balance the guilt of this and his newfound kingship. On top of that, his past decisions come back to haunt him, as some of his enemies rebel against him. King Henry must protect himself and his reputation, but he keeps finding himself in bad situations. In Measure for Measure, Angelo is named Duke, when the real Duke relinquishes his power. Throughout the entire play, Angelo acts like a fish out of water, trying to become powerful and maintain command over the earth. Angelo is an extremely hypocritical leader. He enforces many laws that have not been enforced for years, yet he continually breaks the same rules. Angelo struggles to receive respect from his citizens and to be a good leader. King Henry and Angel both struggle to gain and protect the power bestowed upon them, in King Henry IV Part I and Measure for Measure. At the beginning of King Henry IV Part I, King Henry takes up his new position with pride and also some guilt for the way he has received it. From the beginning, Henry shows how serious he is about being king, starting to plot to crusade to the Holy Land. Instead, Henry is in conflict with Mortimer, who has supposedly taken the throne. Richard II had appointed Mortimer as his successor, before he died, however not many people... middle of paper... need to keep all control over Mortimer and keep him in prison for as long as possible. He does not give in to Hotspur's protests, because he fears that they will discover that he is not the rightful heir to the throne. His own doubts make him feel as if everyone doubts him too; which means he is an unfit ruler. Angelo's struggle for power makes him an immoral and unbearably severe man. He is the epitome of what happens to a good man when he is given too much power. Angelo feels that he will not be able to show any sign of weakness or compassion, because he would lose respect. He goes back on his word and turns out to be an unfit ruler. Angelo loses all his power in the quest to be a good leader. Both characters struggle with their newfound power and make mistakes while in charge. Both characters attempt to gain and maintain power, but this proves much more difficult than they expected.