Henry V
The Saint Crispian speech is one of the most moving patriotic speeches. Discuss, citing specific textual references
>Henry says it's good to have small numbers so they can share the honor more closely >Men who don't want to fight, go home because Henry says men who fight with him are his brothers (this was a big deal to the futile class) >Mentions the honor they will have and the stories they will be able to tell their grandchildren
Henry seems to contradict himself in 109-16. Explain.
>At first he is making an example of Bardolph saying if you disobey orders you will get executed >Exercising justice not mercy >Then says he does not want to hurt the people since if he wins these people will be his people
How does it heighten the dramatic irony regarding the position of the French?
>Audience knows Pistol is lowest of the low and Frenchman thinks the opposite >First scene of battle a high ranking Frenchman is surrendering to a low ranking English while French think they will come out and blow English away
Why is this stirring war speech so ironic in the mouth of Henry?
>Because he is saying to be patient and wait for the right time to strike when (as a boy) he was very rash
The Chorus again reminds the audience of the enormity of the event that the limitations of the stage cannot depict. Discuss.
>Chorus says they cant show how big the battle was >So, the chorus set the scene as very quiet with the two sides just waiting to fight
What final information does the Chorus give
>Chorus tells the audience to imagine that Henry is traveling to England then back to France for negotiations
What information about Henry VI is provided? Cite specific textual references.
>Chorus tells us Henry will die soon and his infant son will take over and make a mess >Compare Henry V to a star
Explain the following: "The winter coming on and sickness growing / Upon our soldiers ...." With these words a "cloud" covers Henry's victory at Harfleur. Explain.
>Cloud means that everyone is sick and they want to rest but they know they have to get moving since winter is coming, there is no time to celebrate
What is the general attitude of the French about the English?
>Confident >They think Henry is stupid for leading his men into this battle >French are arrogant and think poorly of the English
The Constable questions the Dauphin's courage. Cite specific textual references.
>Constable and Orleans accuse him of being a coward behind his back
What themes emerge in this scene? (1.1)
>Corruption (archbishop and his luxurious lifestyle) >Appearance vs. Reality (Archbishops appear concerned about Henry and country but are only concerned about themselves and money)
What literary device is used in the traitors' calling for no mercy for someone who had unintentionally "wronged" the King?
>Dramatic irony >Audience knows the three men who think Henry should show no mercy to a drunk are actually traitors about to be punished
What is the tone of Hostess Quickly's words?
>Earnest >She is very much saddened by his death >She sounds lyrical and poetic in the description of Falstaff's death and the illusion to the psalms even though she can't read or write, Shakespeare can't help himself
What information does the Chorus provide? (Act 2)
>England is preparing for war >Traders among the English are Cambridge, Scroop, ad Grey >Scene has shifted from London to South Hampton
Explain the reference to the "horse-leeches"
>English are the leeches, France are the horses >English will latch on to French util they are shells of themselves >Reminder that France has refused to adapt to modern weaponry (longbow). They will not get off their high horse to fight on foot. >France stuck on outdated method of fighting because they are arrogant
The mood among the English troops is a stark contrast to that of the French. Discuss.
>English men were afraid (although Henry could calm them just by walking among them) >English men were praying and receiving their last rites >French were laughing and playing games and rolling dice
How does Henry handle the Dauphin's insult?
>Henry says the Dauphin will regret this insult >He does not scream because that would prove the insult to be correct >Dark and stern >"Do you think this funny? We will see how funny it is" >The tennis balls (insult) are a notion to say Henry is immature and should stick to games
What purpose does Henry's "disguise" serve? What theme is at work? What characteristics of Henry are illustrated?
>Henry wants to hear the men's true thoughts and he knows they won't be as forthcoming with the king as they will with someone on their level >Shows he is caring and concerned >Appearance vs Reality
In what way is Henry compared to Alexander the Great?
>Just as Alexander killed his best friend Cleitus while drinking, Henry, having come to his senses, turned away Falstaff because he was too immature
Both King Charles and Queen Isabella give Katherine to Henry to bind their countries. Cite specific textual references
>King and Queen bless the marriage because they are tired of the countries fighting >King gives his daughter and asks for grandchildren and he says he hopes their unity will unite the countries >Queen gives marriage blessing
What is the final image of Pistol the audience is given?
>Last image: Pimp, thief, liar
Why is Falstaff not seen in the play?
>Logistically, he is too sick >Falstaff has a bad reputation so he can't be seen around the king's inner circle (so, Shakespeare can't have him appear physically in this play)
What type of humor is introduced in this scene? (2.1)
>Low comedy (similar to Dogberry and Verges) >Low level comedy
Is Henry being hypocritical in ordering Bardolph's execution for theft?
>No >Because Henry believes in punishing someone who deserves punishment and not letting innocent people (French) be wronged (stolen from)
Why does the Dauphin go to such lengths about his horse?
>Obsessed with his horse >Reminder of arrogance of French >French will not win on horseback, they will not adapt to modern warfare (longbows)
How does Henry deal with the treason on both a "professional" and a personal level?
>Professionally: arrested and executed them >Personally: approaches them as old personal friends who betrayed him and destroyed his faith in man
Shakespeare is a master at dialects. How does he use them in this scene? (3.2)
>Puts the dialect of every country together in the scene to show the unrest between all the countries >Countries must come together under an enemy >To make clear that once the battle ensues they all bleed the same color so the arguing will not help
Henry's opening speech reveals much about the monarch. Explain.
>Reveals he is intelligent/wise, can relate to his subjects, he does not hold himself aloof, and doesn't make snap decisions >sleeping sword=peacetime >Reveals Henry is a forward-thinking, modern king
How would you characterize King Charles?
>Seems like a capable leader >Intelligent because he does not underestimate Henry or dismiss him >He's not actually making any decisions, his son is
The Archbishop allays Henry's concerns in his "beehive" speech. Explain the metaphor contained therein.
>Henry is the "queen bee" >Like how the work is divided equally among worker bees, the men in the kingdom each have their jobs and know their jobs >When Henry goes to France, the men will do their jobs and defend the throne like worker bees work and defend the queen bee
Again, Henry praises God for his victory. Cite specific textual references. What image of Henry is reinforced?
>Henry names all the men who have died in battle and praises God >Image: Christian king concerned for his men in spirituality
This scene of Henry wooing Katherine is one of Shakespeare's most delightful love scenes. Exactly how does Henry win Katherine's heart?
>Henry says he's not much with words he is a soldier >But if she'll marry him he will take care of her and love her >She asks if she can love the enemy of Franc and he says no but he is not the enemy of France he is a friend of France and if she marries him France will be his and he will be hers so France will be theirs together
What "bridge" does the inclusion of the characters in this scene provide? (2.1)
>Shakespeare bridges these characters to show how loves character Falstaff was >Foreshadows what is to happen to the rest of them by/at the end of the play
What do we learn about conditions at the French court in this scene? (2.4)
>Some of the French are nervous, especially the king >They are in disagreement (Dauphin underestimates Henry and is confident but his father does not dismiss Henry)
What news do we learn of Mistress Quickly?
>That she has died from syphilis/STD
Again, the Chorus provides transition and information. Explain. (Act 3)
>The Chorus explains Henry is in France and is preparing to attack Harfleur >Henry has rejected compromise
Discuss the dramatic irony abounding in this scene. Cite specific textual references. (3.5)
>The English think they will die and French believe they will crush the English and the English will flee >The audience knows the English will win
Discuss the Boy's speech.
>The boy has much better values then the three (pistol, Bardolph, nym) >He can't stand them anymore >They are degrading >He has much more integrity and common sense than the three of them put together
What does the Chorus expect of the audience? Why?
>The chorus expects the audience to use their imagination and participate so they play is more realistic and lively
What information does the Prologue provide the audience? (Act 1)
>The chorus tells the audience their limitations with trying to explain a large war and conflict on a small stage
What is the purpose of this scene in French between the young Katherine and Alice?
>The purpose of the scene is to show that Katherine knows she will be the first demand in the peace treaty and marry Henry >Shows that she will think the English will win >Comic relief >Katherine realizes that she will need to know English because they just may win
This short scene speaks to the "shame" of the French. Discuss. (4.5)
>The shame of surrendering/losing to English >One person says it's like letting an enemy into your house and him raping your daughter
Note the change in diction in this Prologue. (Act 2)
>The words are war-like >Rushing, speedy diction
Why is the Archbishop so upset in this scene? (1.1)
>There is a bill that is going to take away the church's land and money >Shows the church is corrupt >The archbishop doesn't want to lose his luxurious lifestyle
Discuss the conversation between the two prelates regarding the King.
>They speak highly of the King saying he is great >However you wouldn't have known from looking at his actions as a young man >But, once his father died, Henry came to his senses
What is the function of the Archbishop of Canterbury in this scene?
>To explain why Henry does have a right to the throne >To get Henry over to France
What is the primary purpose of this short scene? (2.3)
>To tell the audience Falstaff has died
The play opens with a Prologue. Why is such an opening significant? What "tradition" does such an opening follow?
>Tradition of Greek drama >Shakespeare thanking the Greeks for this tradition
Does Henry really have claim to the French throne?
>Yes >His great-great-great grandfather was Philip IV of France >Direct vertical divine right of King's line
Discuss Bardolph's opening line. What purpose does it serve? What commentary is being made from the common soldier's viewpoint?
>Bardolph is pretty much reiterating what Henry said but in a way to pish the other soldiers forward while he backs out >Bardolph does not want to fight, especially on the front lines because he is a coward >Soldier's viewpoint: morale of common soldiers is very low (sick, cold, rainy, its been 4-5 weeks)
Why is the Governor of Harfleur forced to surrender?
>Because Henry said if they did not surrender, him and his army would ruin the city (women and children) >Empty threat >City was low on supplies
What are Henry's reasons for denying "mercy" to the traitors?
>Because by hurting him, they could have hurt the whole country
The invocation to the "muse of fire" is reminiscent of what tradition?
>Epic
How does the Saint Crispian speech contrast with the nonsensical talk in the French camp?
>Henry has to rally the troops/pump them up (war is game theme) >French just hanging out
This scene is the first of the actual battle. Discuss Shakespeare's making it one of comedy.
>Pistol is talking to a Frenchman and neither understand each other's language >Frenchman believes Pistol is of high ranking, In reality, not even close
What themes emerge in this scene? (1.2)
>Power and Strength >Henry's reserve and control and patience >Corruption (reinforced)
Characterize Captain Fluellen
>Very stern >"Career military" >Very knowledgeable in warfare and lives by the rules of war/military and will not deviate from them
The deaths of two (2) non-major characters, York and Suffolk, in the battle arena reduced Exeter to tears. Discuss the significance of this emotional scene.
>A human touch to the gory battle scene >Cousins to Henry
What is the function of the Bishop of Ely?
>A person for Canterbury to play off of in acting terms >A "set-up" man
Where will the historic battle occur?
>Agincourt
What theme is present in the arresting of the traitors?
>Appearance vs Reality >Henry thought they were good friends, he thought they were religious, he thought they were family men, he thought they were decent people BUT they were planning to assassinate them and betray him for money (similar to Judus and Jesus)
Shakespeare is setting up the perfect dramatic irony for his audience. Discuss. (4.2)
>Audience knows the English will win despite the French's arrogance
With whom does Henry "argue" about the King's responsibility for the battle? How does Henry respond to the argument?
>William and Bates >Henry defends himself saying he does not calls for a soldiers death when he calls them to service >William unknowingly challenges Henry
Although Henry also mourns the dead York and Suffolk, he must make an immediate and difficult decision. What is it? Why is it significant?
>Every soldier must kill their prisoners because a new battle is starting and they must go back to battle >(They can't hold their prisoners while fighting) >Henry's number one priority is his men >Gives this order to protect them even though it may seem cruel on the surface he does not want his men to get hurt trying to fight war and watch prisoners at the same time
What fate is to befall Bardolph? Why?
>Execution (hanged) >Stole a paten from a church
Characterize Exeter's message from Henry with its inherent "threat."
>Exeter very clearly tells the French king say people will die and it will be his fault if he doesn't comply with these orders >He tells the Dauphin that Henry thinks nothing of him at all and if he thinks that was mockery he hasn't seen anything yet
What does Montjoy humbly request of Henry?
>For the French to be able to record the number of dead and separate and bury the bodies
Again, notice references to the horse. Discuss
>French relying on horses >Foreshadowing not getting off high horses and losing battle (dramatic irony), arrogance, not adapting and using longbows
What is the attitude of the French about the upcoming battle? Cite specific textual references.
>French think once the English see the French army they will turn and run >Arrogant >Extremely confident
This scene reeks of the arrogance of the French. Cite specific textual references
>French think they will walk in and the English will retreat, just blow and the English will fall
How many French have died? How many English?
>French: 10,000 >English: 29
How many French soldiers will be fighting? How many English? What are the odds?
>French: 60,000 >English: 12,000 >Odds: 5:1
What is your reaction to Henry's "practical joke" on both Williams and Fluellen?
>Glimpse of Prince Hal >Comic Relief
How is Williams rewarded?
>Glove full of gold coins
To whom does Henry give immediate credit and praise for his victory?
>God >"Praise be to God not our strength"
This speech is Henry's best, the hallmark of Shakespeare's characterization of Henry V. Discuss exactly what Henry is saying to his troops.
>He asks the soldiers to give it their all >He compares them to animals >Tells them to do everything they can to win the battle >"Once more unto the breech" >Get through the breech or die trying
Why won't Fluellen intercede for Bardolph?
>He believes discipline needs to be maintained
What concern does Henry voice about leaving England to attack France?
>He doesn't want to leave England without rule >He is worried the Scottish (unreliable neighbor) will attack
How does Henry reconcile the treachery of his confidants?
>He has all three arrested for high treason >They try and repent but he tells them he thought they were better than this and tells them to think about all the harm they could have caused to the country if they had assassinated him >He has them executed
In Henry's second soliloquy in this scene, for what does Henry implore God? What theme is present? What quality in Henry is apparent?
>He implores God to forgive his father and to not take it out on his men >Asks God to make his soldiers strong and brave because they are all scared >Theme: Prayer, Christian king >Qualities: Spirituality, concern, humility, caring
In Henry's first soliloquy in this scene, his heart is heavy. Discuss, citing specific textual references
>He is describing how heavy the responsibilities of king are >Everyone puts their worries onto him >He is only human/man (just in a high position)
Again, the reader sees more of Henry's admirable qualities. Cite specific textual references. (2.2)
>He is wise enough and discerning enough to know that it is not a time for mercy, it is time for justice (regarding the traitor soldiers) >Wise enough to give mercy to a drunk, knowing he drunk is harmless >Admirable qualities: wisdom, discernment, mercy, and justice
How does the Archbishop suggest his problems be remedied?
>He promotes the invasion of France
What is Henry's response to Montjoy's message from the Constable for the King's ransom?
>He rejects the offer immediately and tells him not to come back >says absolutely NO ransom
How does Williams defend himself when Henry accuses him of offending the King?
>He says he didn't know it was the king since he was disguised and he wouldn't have said it if he had known it was the king >King's fault for being in disguise
Henry's comments to Montjoy and Gloucester's comments set the audience up for the victory of the "underdog." Explain.
>He sets up an underdog victory by revealing his army is ill and numbers are reduced >He also says a ransom is not happening and the English will not back down
How would you characterize his son, the Dauphin? How does he act as a foil to Henry?
>He still thinks of Henry as the young prince Hal >Arrogant, boastful, therefore eager to go to war >Foil--> While Henry and Dauphin were both sons of kings and were immature at some point, Henry is no loner immature while the Dauphin still is... Dauphin is eager to battle while Henry is not
Again, Henry's mercy is evident. Cite specific textual references. (3.3)
>Henry gives the city the option of surrendering instead of just attacking and plundering >He keeps his word when the surrender that he will not attack the city any further and tells Exeter to show mercy to all in the city
Why can't Henry and Williams fight?
>Henry is king, illegal
What is Henry's reaction to the senseless killing of the English young boys by the French?
>Henry is more outragd than ever before >Repeats to kill all the prisoners >Henry says the war was not personal until now
