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    Henry V

    history

    Henry V ranks among Shakespeare's best-known history plays, following a young king at war. The wild prince of the earlier plays has grown into a serious ruler, and he presses a claim to the throne of France. Hugely outnumbered, his exhausted army faces the French at Agincourt, where Henry rallies them with one of the most famous speeches in English. Against the odds they win, though the play quietly questions the cost and glory of war throughout.

    ▸Prologue▸SCENE I. London. An ante-chamber in the KING'S palace.▸SCENE II. The same. The Presence chamber.

    ▸Prologue▸SCENE I. London. A street.▸SCENE II. Southampton. A council-chamber.▸SCENE III. London. Before a tavern.▸SCENE IV. France. The KING'S palace.

    ▸Prologue▸SCENE I. France. Before Harfleur.▸SCENE II. The same.▸SCENE III. The same. Before the gates.▸SCENE IV. The FRENCH KING's palace.▸SCENE V. The same.▸SCENE VI. The English camp in Picardy.▸SCENE VII. The French camp, near Agincourt:

    ▸Prologue▸SCENE I. The English camp at Agincourt.▸SCENE II. The French camp.▸SCENE III. The English camp.▸SCENE IV. The field of battle.▸SCENE V. Another part of the field.▸SCENE VI. Another part of the field.▸SCENE VII. Another part of the field.▸SCENE VIII. Before KING HENRY'S pavilion.

    ▸Prologue▸SCENE I. France. The English camp.▸SCENE II. France. A royal palace.▸Epilogue

    Characters

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    Henry VKing of EnglandChorusNarrator and theatrical commentatorArchbishop of CanterburyArchbishop of CanterburyPistolAncient (ensign), soldier, tavern man

    Famous Quotes

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    “Once more unto the breach, dear friends, once more; Or close the wall up with our English dead.”

    King Henry V — Act 3, Scene 1

    “In peace there's nothing so becomes a man As modest stillness and humility: But when the blast of war blows in our ears, Then imitate the action of the tiger.”

    King Henry V — Act 3, Scene 1

    “Cry 'God for Harry, England, and Saint George!'”

    King Henry V — Act 3, Scene 1

    Further Reading

    What Type of Plays Did Shakespeare Write?

    Shakespeare's plays fall into three iconic genres: tragedies, comedies and histories. Learn what defines each type, with examples from Hamlet to Twelfth Night, plus the clever flag system the Globe Theatre used to advertise them.

    Who Was William Shakespeare? A Complete Life and Biography

    The life of Shakespeare: born in Stratford 1564, the Globe, his death in 1616, and the First Folio. The facts, checked.

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