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Henry V Study Guide
Some background on Henry V can be
found here
Background information on Harfleur
and Agincourt can be found here
Exxon Mobile Masterpiece Theatre
provides the literary context for the play here
- The events in this film
really happened. It takes place from 1413 to 1415 in England and France
(although Shakespeare wrote the play in 1599). At that time, the English and
the French had been enemies for years, and Henry's attack on France is part
of the Hundred Years' War between the two countries (1337-1453). Henry V,
who ascended the throne at 26, was one of the best-loved English kings and a
military hero.
- Henry V had no true claim
to the French throne. Also, since his father Henry IV had overthrown Richard
II to become king, even his claims to the English throne were tenuous.
- Henry had been a wild and
reckless prince, but he claims that he learned about the common man during
his "riotous youth." His youthful irresponsibility and his
newfound resolve are often referred to throughout the film. He is determined
to be a good king. His belief in God and desire to do the right thing are
very important to him.
- Flashbacks in the film
(golden, smoky scenes in a tavern) show Henry as young Prince Hal (these
scenes are taken from Henry IV). The large man in the first flashback is Sir
John Falstaff, Hal's best friend. Henry rejects Falstaff when he becomes
king.
Henry
V Viewing
Guide
Name: _____________________________
Date: _________________
1.
The man in black at the opening of the film is called the CHORUS.
He acts like a narrator through the play and the movie, helping the
audience to follow the action. What
does the Chorus ask the audience to do as they watch this enactment?
In
the first scene, the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Bishop of Ely plot to
convince King Henry to go to war with France. They have interpreted the Galic
law-an ancient law that dictates who can and cannot inherit the throne-to
justify Henry's claim to the French crown and to rouse a war that will benefit
the Church and themselves financially.
2.
What are the two reasons Harry goes to war with France?
One is long-term and deals with power (see above) and the other is more
immediate and deals with the “gift” from the French prince Dauphin.
3.
What does the Dauphin of France mean to “say” when he sends Harry the
tennis balls?
NOTE: The fools of this play are
Bardolph, Pistol, and Nym, with help from the Boy and Mistress Quickly (Nell).
They provide comedic relief. They
also appear in flashback form with Falstaff, the true comedic character of
Shakespeare’s plays.
4.
Why are Pistol and Nym fighting?
5
Who stops Pistol and Nym from fighting?
6
According to Mistress Nell Quickly (the Hostess), why is Falstaff dying?
7.
Who says, “I know thee
not, old man”?
8.
Who are the three traitors?
(Their names are mentioned several times)
9.
What have the three traitors
agreed to do?
10.
Who is paying the traitors?
11
How does the Hostess discover that Falstaff is dead?.
12.
When the Dauphin speaks, how do the others in the room (especially the
Constable) react to him? What do
they think of him?
13.
Note how the messenger/ambassador from England (Duke of Exeter) is
dressed. What is his style of dress supposed to suggest to the French?
14.
What message does Exeter bring specifically for the Dauphin?
15.
In the midst of the attack on Harfleur, Harry stops short of destroying
the town and gives the governor a chance to surrender.
If the governor does not surrender, what will Harry’s men do?
Name two specific things that Henry mentions would happen to the town and
it’s people
16.
Now that Harfleur is Henry’s, where is he going to go for the winter
months?
17.
Why is Katharine learning to speak English?
18.
Name three English words Katharine is learning.
19.
What English word makes her giggle uncontrollably?
20. What does Pistol ask Captain Fluellen to do after the rainy, muddy march
comes to an end?
21. Why is Bardolph going to be hanged?
22. Harry and Bardolph have been friends for years, but he goes ahead and
orders the execution of Bardolph with great emotional pain.
Why does he go ahead and authorize the execution?
23. The night before the Agincourt Battle,
the Dauphin is here with the Constable and other French.
How do they regard him as they think about the
upcoming battle?
24. In the English camp, Harry goes out to visit the troops, and he does it
under disguise. What does he use to
hide his true identity?
25. Who does Harry visit first?
26. How does Pistol feel about the King?
27. How does Pistol feel about Captain Fluellen?
28. What is the name of this historical day?
29. What will the surviving soldiers of this battle be able to do every year
on St. Crispin’s day?
NOTE: BE SURE YOU KNOW THE FOLLOWING QUOTE, WHAT IT MEANS,
WHO SAID IT, WHO HE SAID IT TO, AND WHAT HAPPENS AFTERWARD, ETC.
HENRY We few, we
happy few, we band of brothers;
For he to-day that sheds his blood with me
Shall be my brother; be he ne’er so vile,
This day shall gentle his condition:
And gentlemen in England now a-bed
Shall think themselves accursed they were not here,
And hold their manhoods cheap whiles any speaks
That fought with us upon Saint Crispin’s day.
NOTE: This battle was important for many reasons, one of
which was tactics. It’s the first
time in recorded battles that anyone had ever used arrows in a “swarming”
style. In effect, it’s one of the
first “air wars” in history.
NOTE: The French were not alone in their battle.
The crown hired several thousand mercenaries( soldiers for hire)
from neighboring countries to fight in the battle.
The French didn’t suspect that Harry would be so successful, and thus
did not commit their own forces to a battle they figured was all theirs to begin
with.
30.
How
is “good corporal Nym” killed? What
is he doing when he is killed?
NOTE: The film’s director, Branagh, has used his filming
of these battle sequences to make a kind of statement against the brutality and
futility of war. Consider again WHY
this war even came about, it’s a matter of kingdoms competing for power
between each other, and within their own borders between nobles and the rich and
powerful clergy. It is, to some
extent, a pointless and silly war, brought about by old laws and the rules about
succession through female family members. In
a way, Harry was “forced” into this battle by circumstance that he had to
“save face” and go to war.
31.Who do the French attack that later enrages both the Welsh caption
Fluellen (“ ‘O ‘tis expressly
against the law of arms!”) and Henry?
32. When the herald Montjoy
shows up again, what does he want from Henry?
33. What nationality is Henry?
34.
How many dead on each side?
__________ dead French
________ dead English
35. The battle is a colossal success for Henry and his “band of
brothers.” But who deserves the
real credit for this victory, according to Henry?
36. The scene of Henry crossing the battlefield with the Boy
slung over his shoulder is one of the most moving scenes in all Shakespearean
movies today. WATCH CLOSELY
What happens on the field as Henry is crossing that adds the most
emotional weight to the scene?
37. What is Henry’s “capital demand”
of the French as they enter negotiations?
38. What does the following quote (and
indeed Henry’s whole discussion with Katherine) say about his character? In your own words, what kind of a guy is he?
HENRY
If I could win a lady at
leap-frog, or by vaulting into my saddle with my
armour on my back,
I should quickly leap into a wife.
39. Why does Kate first refuse to kiss
Henry?
40.
What does Henry say that finally gets
Kate to agree to a kiss?
41.
Henry and Katharine are married, and
they have a child, as the Chorus explains.
This was to finally unite the lands of England and France.
The Chorus explains what happens next, however.
What happens to Henry VI? Why
did he lose this dual kingdom?
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