Henry V
(William Shakespeare)
This play takes place during the hundred years war as the
competition between England and France for land has grown
to a head. Though England is obviously the aggressor,
because this is a tale of British propaganda by
Shakespeare, the French are seen in a negative light, and
the English are the noble soldiers who, seemingly
miraculously, defeat the much larger French army with their
?happy few.? The actual event which caused the English
defeat of the French was the invention of the long bow, a
large precursor to the crossbow which created a faster,
more mechanized kind of warfare that could kill the French
in droves, without the English getting close to them.
The play begins with the young King Henry V making a legal
claim to the kingdom of France. The French contemptuously
send the English King tennis balls to mock his claim to the
throne. Henry, incensed by such disrespect, resolves to
return their balls with arms and fight for rule of France.
Before leaving England, however, Henry has to execute three
traitors who have been spies for the French.
We next see the French and English armies preparing for
battle. The French appear too sophisticated and
contemptuous, while the noble English are represented as
unpretentious and earnest in their fight. The English Army
first win Harfleur in battle and next get ready for the
battle of Agincourt. The British are wary because they are
a very small number against the large French forces at
Agincourt.
The night before the battle, Henry disguises himself as a
common soldier and goes among his men to hear their
thoughts on the battle to come. The next morning, he gives
the great speech of St. Crispin?s Day where he persuades
his men to go into battle bravely and wish for no more men
to accompany them as they will be remembered forever for
this battle.
The English defeat the French army and Henry then goes to
the French court and woos the French princess, who doesn?t
speak much English, Katharine in a charming scene, so that
he can secure the kingdom.
Resumos Relacionados
- Start Of Hundred Years Of War
- Le Mahabharat'a De 'vyasa
- Henry Iv Part Two
- Henry Iv Part One
- Les Fleurs Du Mal
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