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GCSE: Henry V

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  1. With reference to all of the scenes in Acts 1 & 2 explore how Shakespeare creates the audience's understanding of Henry V's character.

    This indicates that he is skilled in military matters. The initial impression the audience receives of King Henry is one who is a strong and charismatic leader that is knowledgeable about military tactics and is about to lead his country to victory in a war. The first scene of the play involves the Bishop of Canterbury and the Bishop of Ely discussing a way to keep the church from paying tax. The Bishops praise Henry multiple times and describe him as a mannered and devout individual.

    • Word count: 1099
  2. How Helpful To The Audience Is The Chorus in Shakespeare's 'Henry V'

    On your imaginary forces work." This is in the prologue, where the Chorus speaks about the suspension of disbelief and how the audience will have to use their imagination to cope with the settings and actions of the play. Due to the lack of scenery and lighting available, it was almost always a barren stage, apart from the actors. The prologue, fluid with language and a rhyming couplet, apologizes and asks, for "your humble patience pray, gently to hear, kindly to judge our play" as it is thought that this play was not based inside the Globe Theatre but the Curtain Theatre as it is spoken about on line 13 of the prologue, "Within this wooden O."

    • Word count: 1238
  3. Focusing on the traitor scene: Act II Scene II, How does Shakespeare portray Henry?

    As I inhaled the perplexing scent of dust off the bookshelves, I slowly climbed up the ladder to where my favourite novels sat. Turning around, I was surrounded by novel, after novel, after novel. This was where I belonged. My cheeks flushed a pale pink as my attention was averted to a book resting on the table. It was far bigger than the size of a normal book and gold; engraved on the cover, were two enticing words: Open Me.

    • Word count: 1169
  4. In Henry IV Part 1, the transformation of Hal is central to Shakespeares presentation of kingly qualities. Looking at two different scenes from the play, explore the ways in which Shakespeare presents issues related to kingship and how an Elizabet

    because of political pressure from living descendents Oldcastle who had powerful acquaintances in England. Shakespeare was born in Stratford-upon-Avon. When he was 18, he married Anne Hathaway and they had three children. Around 1590 he became an actor, writer and part owner of a company called the Lord Chamberlain's Men, who later changed their name to the King's Men. This was when his career began to be successful and he started to produce his famous works of theatre and poetry.

    • Word count: 2050
  5. Shakespeare's Henry V

    This goes on to become on the main aspects of Henry's character throughout the rest of the play. We first really see Henry's Warrior attitude in Act 3 Scene 1. This is the main speech before the battle of Harfleur; Shakespeare uses many literacy techniques to present Henry's warrior-like attitude. In the first line of his speech Henry calls his men "dear friends". This shows us that although he is their commander he doesn't see himself above them and that he is not afraid to fight along-side them. Shakespeare uses a lot of metaphors in the speech which clearly illustrate Henry's intensions; "imitate the action of the tiger" - this tells us that Henry wants his men to take on the savage and blood-thirsty traits of tigers.

    • Word count: 1732
  6. 'Henry V constantly refuses to accept responsibility for his actions. He has yet to mature and shows no understanding about the true nature of kingship'. How far do you agree with this judgment of Henry?

    Here, he is trying to improve the performance of his army and increasing their morale at the same time. Henry uses strong verbs such as "stiffen", "conjure" and "cry" to increase the effect of his overall speech, which encourages the army to do the actions at that moment instead of doing them in the battle. On the other hand, in Act 4, Scene 1, whilst Henry is reflecting on being a king, he breaks down. He does not want to be held responsible for what happens to his soldiers. He says "We must bear all" and subsequently breaks down by saying "Not today, O Lord, Oh, not today".

    • Word count: 1133
  7. Henry V Speech Analysis

    "But when the blast of war blows in our ears," The tone and speed of the speech is raised again when Henry erupts into this flurry. Here Shakespeare uses the "b" plosive sound to install fearlessness in his soldiers and to give them a blood rush. "Then imitate the action of the tiger:" To Henry's soldiers the tiger would have been a legendary creature, the ultimate killer, fierce, silent and deadly. To work the soldiers into a frenzy Shakespeare quickens the pace and raises the volume.

    • Word count: 2895
  8. Munby's Henry V: Full Of Fun

    The play in its 'techno' feel truly livens up the atmosphere with gunshot's galore, ear-popping explosions and bright flashes of white light. Even if you couldn't understand the English/French dialect you could at least enjoy the 'fizz, bang and pop'.

    • Word count: 397
  9. How does Shakespeare show the qualities of kingship in Henry V

    This is actually just a brief description of Henry. He was all of the above but the bit about him that separated him from other leaders in the past was the fact that he was altruistic and humane. In his younger days when he was acknowledged as 'Hal' he stuck around with the bad lot and watched them make trouble but made sure to not get too involved. He didn't get into trouble but actually gained experience of what it was like to live as a normal human being.

    • Word count: 1094
  10. Comment on the significance of Act 3 Scene 7 in what it suggests about kingship Henry, Society and the nature of war.

    However, Shakespeare implies that Henry loses his temper by portraying him as speaking in prose. This lack of verse brings him down to the same level as Bardolph and the other base characters. Henry does not acknowledge knowing Bardolph even after he has been named by Fluellen: 'We would have all such offenders so cut off'. This statement suggests that Henry is trying to control his emotions and appear in a professional manner. Also, Henry justifies his reasons for punishing Bardolph to Fluellen; 'And/We give express charge, that in our marches through the country, there be nothing compelled from the village.'

    • Word count: 676
  11. Is Henry V an ideal Christian king?

    [line 260]. Then almost immediately the speech takes on a greater seriousness and we can feel the tension swell in the room as Henry is giving the state response to the insult. It ends with Henry launching a personal attack on the Dauphin and we can clearly see that this is his personal response to the insult. In terms of language and imagery there are two distinct sections within the extract itself. In the first section [lines 259-267], Henry describes the retributive future war in the context of a game of tennis.

    • Word count: 2052

    Moreover, the fact that these positive comments are made by Ely and Canterbury who both have a prestigious status within the church, creates a significant effect on the audience as if such well respected persons are complimenting Henry then he must be an honorable person. On the other hand, this could be questioned, as the two bishops were in fact situated in an ante-chamber in the king's palace, so they could in fact think that someone may be overhearing their conversation, so they feel it right to be complimenting the king.

    • Word count: 2303
  13. Henry V - "The play's aim is to celebrate heroic actions under a heroic King"

    It begins with Henry deliberating on whether to attack France in Act 1. In this act he receives an insulting gift of tennis balls from the Dauphin of France, Henry believes this to mean that the Dauphin does not consider Henry as a challenge in battle. This is an insult to Henry's pride, and he decides to go to war. This shows us that Henry is headstrong and proud; he refuses to let someone insult him and get away with it.

    • Word count: 1815
  14. Henry V in Act 1 and 2

    When Henry arrives and inquires as to what the bishops think of the war, Shakespeare presents Henry as responsible, as he says before Canterbury gives his judgement that the bishop should be just as "God doth know how...shall drop their blood in approbation of what your reverence shall incite us to do." In this sentence Henry is saying that Canterbury must not lie as many will die because of his decision. This presents Henry as responsible as he makes himself accountable for the deaths of many men.

    • Word count: 1044
  15. Was Henry V an inspiring leader or a cold and severe king?

    This explains his actions towards Falstaff. Henry's actions during the play can be interpreted in different ways. For example when he executes his best friends Bardolph and Nymn for robbing a French church, this could be seen as cold and severe as it is very harsh. Others would think that this is very inspiring because it shows that he has moved away from his old wild days and has matured. It shows that he will not stand for any nonsense and no one is above the law, particularly as he saw this act as being made against God.

    • Word count: 2395
  16. Discuss Shakespeare's presentation of the ways in which Henry is a great king.

    This demonstrates just how powerful Henry's rhetoric is. These two situations show Henry's ability to adapt to the situation. They also demonstrate how Henry can change his temperament according to what is required in any given situation. On the one hand, he needs to be an inspirational hero for his army. Whilst on the other hand, he has to carry out his duty and be cruel and harsh. He is sometimes required to be merciless, and at other times needed to be merciful. These apparent contradicting states of mind, merely display the differences between when he needs to be a leader, and when he needs to be a human.

    • Word count: 1502
  17. How does Shakespeare use language to entertain and motivate in Act 3, scene 1 and the rest of the play? Discuss with reference to the dramatic realisation of the play in Shakespeare's time and in the two twentieth century film versions.

    The people of England were used to being at the top. At this time, in Ireland, the Earl of Tyrone had led a rebellion against the English forces in Ireland. Queen Elizabeth had appointed the popular Earl of Essex as governor of Ireland as he set off to calm the Irish. Ireland was making progress against the British army. National morale was low because Essex was not successful. Shakespeare puts a reference in Act 5, lines 30 - 34 about Essex's 'triumphant' return even though at the time Essex had not returned.

    • Word count: 1783

    Scroop, Cambridge and Gray were high up in his court and probably his friends but he was still able to punish them and treat them as he would have treated a peasant. This shows his fairness. Another example is the killing of Bardolf for stealing from a church; Bardolf was an old drinking companion and a good friend but he was still able to hang him because of what he did. Henry will have grown up learning all the techniques that he needed o become king, including persuasiveness, rhetoric and confidence.

    • Word count: 1243

    Henry here plays splendidly with words as we can see throughout the play, "Turn his balls to gunstones," Henry changes something as harmless and simple as tennis balls into weapons of destruction. Henry is often religious and spiritual in his speeches. Here he says, "and soul shall stand sore..." he attacks the Dauphin not physically but spiritually. " Mock mock out of their dear husbands, mock mothers from their sons, mock castles down," Henry here uses repetition to emphasize the point that he will get back at the Dauphin for his' present'.

    • Word count: 1368
  20. The character of Henry V act 1 scene 2

    'We are no tyrants, but a Christian king unto whose grace our passion is as subject.' This quote gives the evidence that Henry has a courteous side to him. This means that he has respect and belief that his subjects will stand by him all the way. Henry is very patient in this scene since the French ambassador took a long time to come and see Henry and proves his claim is right to the throne. Henry's reply to the Dauphin's message shows dignity, self-control and wit. There is also, menacing determination in his speech.

    • Word count: 589
  21. Henry V - Act 1 Scene 2 - Act 4 Scene 3 - Compared

    In the other speech Henry uses friendly and positive terms to provide his men with more morale to fight beside him in the battle against the Dauphin, 'we band of brothers.' In the first speech, Henry has various tone changes through out the composition, but on the other hand, Henry employs terms that are more emotional in his communication with his men. The language terminology in the first speech is more to do with arguments one on one and it has a great deal of puns.

    • Word count: 754
  22. What persuasive techniques does Henry use in Act 4 Scene 3, Lines 16 - 67?

    Within Henry's sentence there is a lot of rhythm and balance. One of the key words in his dialogue is 'honour' because in Elizabethan times honour was bound up with ideas of nobility and manliness. Henry has constant reference to the divine, to get permission for his actions, 'God's will.' Additionally there is various uses of semantic fields, associated with religion, God, covet, honour and sin; all taken from the bible. Henry applies a very close relationship term, 'cuz.' Meaning his soldiers are in close contact with Henry.

    • Word count: 865
  23. Is Falstaff truer to himself and to others in Henry IV, Part One than Hal is?

    His whole intelligent plot that consists in decieveing his father, nation and friends into thinking that his only concerns in life vary from drinking, stealing and having a good time when in fact this role is meant to conrast with the heroic and noble king he intends to portray when his time comes, originated in order to create a better image as a king. The fact that he carries out this plan in order to surprise the whole country, and win the people's love and his father's admiration by becoming an honourable king demonstrates that his actions respond to the appearance he has to project in order to become his mighty king.

    • Word count: 1028
  24. Henry VI Part 1.

    Whilst all this is going on I would have sound effects in the back ground of battle cries etc... But in the tent the defiant princes would step back together to the doorway as if to show they want to re-enter the battle as he continues to praise his older brother he should have his arm out with hand on heart to show that he really means it and cares.

    • Word count: 2343
  25. Choose the three speeches that tell You what type of man Henry V was.

    Which is saying lets go fight and win, and if we don't win, then we shall build the wall back up with all our dead soldiers. Henry V makes his men feel special by calling them his "dear friends" and by making them feel special they will fight for their king he then goes on to say: "Dishonour not your mothers; now attest That those whom you call'd fathers did beget you," which makes the men determined to win so as to not disappoint their mothers and prove that they are their fathers son.

    • Word count: 788

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