"All Things are ready if our minds be so" Explore the dramatic techniques used by Henry V to inspire his men before the battle of Agincourt.

"All Things are ready if our minds be so" Explore the dramatic techniques used by Henry V to inspire his men before the battle of Agincourt. William Shakespeare's play "Henry V" is set in 1415, when Henry becomes King Henry V of England. As a young man Henry enjoyed drinking and the company of women. When he became King Henry changed, he wanted to be taken seriously and to be treated like an adult, so he gave up drinking. Henry was angry and insulted by a birthday present of a box of tennis balls from the King of France, Henry thought the King of France was suggesting that he was still a boy and not a man capable of ruling England. To prove he was a man Henry ordered the invasion of France. Henry's first battle was the Siege of Horfieur Henry V where he inspired his troops with a speech before leading them into battle. Henry said they had to behave like tigers and show no fear only strength. The next battle was the Battle of Agincourt, Henry's troops were exhausted after their last battle and were out numbered five to one. But Henry tries to inspire them again for the last time he starts off talking dramatically about death, "if we are marked to die, we are enough to do our country loss." I think he is saying that if the English are meant to lose the battle then it is better that they die, than thousands more if they wait for help. Then he goes on to

  • Word count: 960
  • Level: AS and A Level
  • Subject: English
Access this essay

Henry V Act 4 Scene 3.

Henry V Act 4 Scene 3 "We few, we happy few, we band of brothers-" One of the many recognisable quotes from Shakespeare, but do we know who said it, why it was said, or the effect that these words had on the listener? They are far more than simply emotive, to be spoken on stage, but part of one of the great shining examples of military patriotism to date. It stirs up honour, courage and excitement in the audience, and makes heroic, one of the most brutal inventions of mankind-War. King Henry the Fifth's speech to his army, before battle, on the fields of Agincourt shows the full extent of Shakespeare's talent for persuasive language. Henry was a man with a mission, he felt called by God to confirm the Plautagenet dynasty on the throne of England, and to unite the thrones of England and France. The speech is used by Henry to rally his troops together, to put to rest their worries, and to assure them that they will be victorious, even though they are all exhausted, cold wet and hungry. He somehow tries to justify the carnage and mass-slaughter that is about to take place and speaks of the ultimate honour of dying in battle. The scene begins when Lord Gloucester asks the other Lord's where the King is and Lord Bedford tells him that he has gone to view the enemy's army. They then talk about how terribly outnumbered they are (30,000 to 7,000) and Lord Westmorland wishes that

  • Word count: 1000
  • Level: AS and A Level
  • Subject: English
Access this essay

With close reference to Shakespeare’s language discuss how the characters of the Prince of Wales and Hotspur are portrayed in Henry IV Part 1

With close reference to Shakespeare's language discuss how the characters of the Prince of Wales and Hotspur are portrayed in Henry IV Part 1. In Henry IV, Part 1; Shakespeare contrasts the two characters, Prince Henry and Hotspur. The characters are complete opposites but have a common goal. They both want to be respected. Hotspur signals his intentions from the start but it is only as you get further on in the play that you realise that Hal has the same ambitions. This play chronicles the rise and fall of Hotspur and Hal's rise from being the innocuous prince to a heroic heir in one play. In Act One, Scene One, the king says: "Yea, there thou mak'st me sin in envy, that my Northumberland should be a father to so blest a son." Since this is said in the very first scene of the play we are immediately given the impression that the king's son is not as respectable or as honourable as Hotspur. We can also see how highly regarded Hotspur is as the king gives him such warm glowing compliments with a touch of jealousy in his voice. He is not contented with his own son as he goes on to say: "See riot and dishonour stain the brow of my young Harry". This indicates to the audience that Prince Hal might not be living the life that a prince would be expected to live. We get the feeling that Harry is seen as the black sheep of the family and not the successor to the throne that

  • Word count: 1886
  • Level: AS and A Level
  • Subject: English
Access this essay

Does Henry V offer a patriotic version of Henry's campaigns on the surface while a sceptical subtext runs throughout the play?

Does Henry V offer a patriotic version of Henry's campaigns on the surface while a sceptical subtext runs throughout the play? The play I will write about is Henry V by William Shakespeare was written in the time of Elizabeth I but refers to the events of 1415 when King Henry V led a war against the French. The play is the fourth in a series of history plays that Shakespeare wrote beginning with Richard II and continuing with Henry IV Parts 1 and 2. The two Henry IV plays chart the adventures of 'Prince Hal' who later becomes Henry V. Prince Hal did not stay in court and prepare to be a King but spent his time drinking in the Boar's Head Tavern with characters such as Pistol, Nym and Bardolph, who are in this play and Sir John Falstaff. On becoming King Henry had to renounce Falstaff, which broke Falstaff's heart. It must be remembered that some people who would have seen Henry V would also have seen Henry IV where Henry betrays Falstaff and so Henry's character would have this fact hanging over him from the previous play. The play was performed in the 1590s and people still had strong memories of the Spanish Armada in 1588. Many people saw that conflict as a religious and righteous war as it was Protestant England against Catholic Spain. This made war a subject of some debate and whether a war could ever be 'just' considering the immense suffering that any conflict causes.

  • Word count: 2376
  • Level: AS and A Level
  • Subject: English
Access this essay

Many modern critics have commented on the attitudes to war presented in the play. Using the two speeches, "... deliver up the crown ... in this controversy" (Act II, Scene 4) and "... On your noblest English ... And teach them how to war,"

Many modern critics have commented on the attitudes to war presented in the play. Using the two speeches, "... deliver up the crown ... in this controversy" (Act II, Scene 4) and "... On your noblest English ... And teach them how to war," (Act III, Scene 1) as starting points, And any further productions you might have seen or heard, e.g. Olivier, Branagh and OU cassette versions, * Explore the ways, in which you think Shakespeare dramatically presents war and its consequences in the play as a whole. * How the attitudes of war have been dramatically presented in the play as a whole have affected the Olivier, Branagh and OU productions. Many modern critics have commented on the attitudes to war presented in the play. This can be seen in the two speeches, "Deliver up the crown ... in this controversy", (Act II, Scene 4) and "On, on you noblest English ... And teach them how to war," (Act III, Scene 1). Within Act II, Scene 4, we see the French King orders his nobles and his son to strengthen the defences against the English invasion, 'It is most meet we arm us 'gainst the foe' (Act II, Scene 4, pg.90). The Dauphin agrees that precautions should be taken but refuses to accept that the English King is a serious threat. He brushes aside a warning from the Constable of France who believes that Henry has changed. We are here reminded that Henry has cast off his previous

  • Word count: 2620
  • Level: AS and A Level
  • Subject: English
Access this essay

Comparing Shakespeare's Henry V to Kenneth Branagh's 1989 Film.

Comparing Shakespeare's Henry V to Kenneth Branagh's 1989 Film Like cinema, Shakespeare makes time flexible, dilating or compressing it at will, returning to the past or visiting the future -- but he achieves those effects in an exclusively verbal mode. For example, the Chorus' speeches in Henry V link historical episodes, which are, separated in time and the Epilogue gives us a glimpse of the future, stating that France will soon be lost. The metaphorical and poetical use of language creates no exterior visions on stage but interior visions in the minds of the spectators. Whereas, Adapting Shakespearean plays on screen, always involves a shift from one enunciative system to another. Given its verbal nature, theatrical enunciation is generally considered to be more able to 'tell,' whereas screen enunciation is usually thought to be more able to 'show' through the semiotic diversity of images and sounds it can convey. The most important function of the play's Chorus is that it encourages the audience to be patient and reminds them to use their imagination to envision the events that occur in the play, to really imagine the royal courts of England and France, and to really imagine the battle scenes with all the horses and men. The prologue to the beginning of this play calls upon the "Muse" to help present the play. The Chorus explains to the audience of the difficulties

  • Word count: 2268
  • Level: AS and A Level
  • Subject: English
Access this essay

Is this the end for Hal’s chances to the throne? The Oldie Times reports

Hal heads for Hell Is this the end for Hal's chances to the throne? The Oldie Times reports Prince Hal, our Prince Hal, the future king of England, is accused of crimes to his name and country, the scum should be disciplined and humiliated until the thought of disgracing his fellow populace is spine chilling to him. The insensitive swine has been magnetised to the taboo teachings of the fat-faced Falstaff. His immaturity has be revealed like clouds obscuring the sun, subsequently reducing his popularity among the loyal people of the country. The population feels that it would be un-acceptable for a yob like character like Hal to have power of the nation; they feel he is still a boy and they feel he is in no position to rule the kingdom. His immature ways have caused an embarrassment to the nation which should never be repeated, the most effective way of doing this is to cut off his wealth, remove his privileges and above all prevent him from being King. Edward

  • Word count: 174
  • Level: AS and A Level
  • Subject: English
Access this essay

In Henry IV Part One, first impressions are never correct. By the end of the play, we have been forced to re-assess our feelings about the main characters. Explain why you agree or disagree with this statement.

In Henry IV Part One, first impressions are never correct. By the end of the play, we have been forced to re-assess our feelings about the main characters. Explain why you agree or disagree with this statement. The main characters definitely appear to change throughout the play and their true selves emerge by the end. The first character on stage is the King; we first see him addressing the court about what has happened since he became King. He is a very powerful man and decides the way to 'win the hearts' of his country is to go on a crusade to the Holy Land. His country has turned to civil war due to his indirect path to the throne. His attitude towards Hal is anything but fatherly. He considers Hal to be unworthy of inheriting the throne because Falstaff's influence has made him rebellious and irresponsible, unable to handle tasks a King has to carry out. The King would rather have Percy (Hotspur) as his son than Hal. He sees Hotspur as a worthier heir to the throne-Henry believes they were swapped as babies by 'some night-tripping fairy'. I feel this is quite heartless towards his own son, as he obviously shows no compassion for him. Hal would never have had to contemplate being heir to the throne if Henry hadn't made an unlawful path to the throne so it is expected that Hal would not be the 'perfect heir'. By Act III, Sc. III Henry states that he needs his own son,

  • Word count: 1046
  • Level: AS and A Level
  • Subject: English
Access this essay

Compare and contrast Hal and Hotspur. Note their similarities and differences.

Compare and contrast Hal and Hotspur. Note their similarities and differences. Hal and Hotspur are one of the two most important and instrumental characters in Henry IV Part One. From the outset, Shakespeare intends to set up a comparison between the two rivals. King Henry IV, Hal's father, compares them in the very first scene of the play. After outlining the situation regarding the civil war in the country, Henry tells Westmoreland that Hotspur is "the theme of honour's tongue" (1.1.80). This, together with blatant criticism of Hal's reckless and debauched manner, gives the audience the impression, and indeed this is later stated when Glendower enters, that Henry wishes that Hotspur was his son instead of Hal. As well as introducing the theme of honour, it focuses the audience's attention on comparing these two men. In contrast to the first scene, the second scene in Act one shows Hal in the tavern along with his rebellious companion Falstaff. This scene illustrates what the King refers to regarding his son's behaviour. We learn that Hal is witty and energetic, and gains pleasure in teasing his old friend about his overindulgence. In Act one scene three, we see the King again, this time in the Council Chamber with the rebels, including Henry Percy, otherwise known as Hotspur. Hotspur refuses to surrender some prisoners whom he gained following a previous

  • Word count: 773
  • Level: AS and A Level
  • Subject: English
Access this essay

Discuss the roles of the chorus in Acts 3-5 in Henry V.

Discuss the roles of the chorus in Acts 3-5 in Henry V. In Henry V, the chorus plays a prominent role in guiding the audience and narrating parts that wouldn't fit into the action of the play. He uses compelling language to fire the audience's imagination, while simultaneously apologizing for the visual limitations of the stage. Shakespeare also uses powerful language in the chorus' to create a sense of power and force to describe the English army, depicting them as an unstoppable force of human nature that seems to be omnipotent, while at the same time subverting from the dominant ideology, undermining the English. The chorus in Act 3 describes the English army's embarkation and channel crossing, and the siege of Harfleur. Shakespeare uses strong descriptive language to describe the English ship on their way to the battle. He describes the English as a 'brave fleet' which doesn't seem to be scared to face the siege of the French, which they are out numbered by. The connotations of exhibiting courage are highlighted by the use of 'brave'. The epitomizes the so called positive aspects of English patriotism in Shakespeare's era, but also represents how the English army are fear no one and are prepared to do whatever it takes to satisfy their desires. Shakespeare describes the English surge with the use of the sibilance 'silken streamers', which gives the play and the ship a

  • Word count: 840
  • Level: AS and A Level
  • Subject: English
Access this essay