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Note: This play takes place during the Hundred Years' War, so named because England and France were at war for a l-o-n-g time, mainly fighting over land. King Henry V of England has been persuaded that he has a legal right to the crown of France. His ancestors were French kings, so he decides to go to war with France. Persons Presented: King Henry V- King of England Duke of Gloucester - Brother to the King Duke of Exeter - Uncle to the King Duke of York Archbishop of Canterbury Bishop of Ely Earls: Conspirators against the King: Officers in the King's Army: Soldiers in the King's Army Other soldiers and old friends from Henry's wild youth Quickly- Pistol's wife
Charles V - King of France Lewis - the Dauphin (King's oldest son) Dukes Constable of France French Lords Montjoy - herald Ambassadors to King of England Governor of Harfleur Isabel - Queen of France Katherine - Daughter of Charles and Isabel Alice - a lady attending Katherine
Plot Summary Prologue: The Chorus presents the scene and apologizes for the theatre's inadequacies. Act I - The Archbishop of Canterbury, commenting on the change in Hal from frivolous prince to wise king, tells the Bishop of Ely of his offer of money to Henry, should he decide to claim the throne and lands in France. The Sallic Law, justifying Henry's claim, is expounded to the King. He receives the French Ambassadors and, angered by the Dauphin's gift - tennis balls - replies that he will fight for his rights in France. The Chorus relates that Cambridge, Scroop and Grey are traitors and sets the embarkation scene at Southhampton. Act II - Two of the expedition, Corporal Nym and Lieutenant Bardolph, meet Pistol who is now married to Mistress Quickly (once betrothed to Nym.) As Pistol and Nym fight, Mistress Quickly is fetched tothe ailing Flastaff (a friend of Henry's before his coronation.) At Southhampton the King, after ordering the traitors' arrest, sails for France. Bardolph, Nym, and pistol hear Mistress Quickly's account of Falstaff's death, then leave for France. The French King, Charles, organizes his defences; the Dauphin is warned by the Constable of France not to underestimate Henry. Exeter brings letters to Charles, demanding Henry be given the French crown and lands, or he will take them by force. The Chorus presents the siege of Harfluer. Act III - Henry, helped by the English, Welsh, Irish, and Scottish officers and in the ranks, Nym, Bardolph and Pistol, wins the day. Because of sickness in his army and the advent of winter, Henry plans to return to England. The French Princess, Katharine, has her first lesson in speaking English. Charles sends Montjoy to warn Henry against War. Fluellen refused Pistol help for Bardolph, about to be hanged for stealing from a church. Henry informs Montjoy that he is going to Calais, but will fight, if necessary, despite the weakness of his army. The night before Agincourt. The French confidently prepare. Act IV - The scene visualized by the Chrus, as Henry, disguised in a cloak, wanders amongst his troops. He challenges, by an exchange of gloves, a soldier, Williams, who declares the King answerable for the sins of all those killed. Henry prays for success in the coming battle. Sunrise, Henry rouses the spirits of his army, picturing their unique achievement on this, St. Crispin's Day. After a final visit by Montjoy, the battle is fought. Henry wins. Afterwards, meeting Williams and recalling the challenge, Henry gives "his" glove to Fluellen as a favour, whom Williams meets and challenges. The King explains and Williams is given back his glove filled with money. Exeter lists the prisoners taken or dead. The Chorus tells of Henry's triumphant homecoming, and his return to France to complete peace terms. Act V - Fluellen, meeting Pistol, makes him eat a leek for mocking it and the Welsh. Pistol, learning of his wife's death, decides to return to England to live by begging and thieving. Henry meets Charles, arranges final terms, proposes to Princess Katharine, sealing the bargain with a kiss. |