| Plot Summary of Henry V |
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"King Henry V decides to go to war with France on the base of a complex legal argument to claim the throne of that country. The Dauphin sends an ambassador with a gift: tennis balls. These are meant as an insult toward the English monarch, whose wild youth is well known, and thus ridiculed. Henry responds by declaring war and assuring that the Dauphin will regret his insulting message.
A conspiracy by three noblemen, bribed by the French, is discovered and they are executed. Meanwhile, Henry's former friends, some criminals and drunkards, discuss the death of Sir John Falstaff, a fatherly figure for Henry, who was rejected by the king in his assumption of the throne.
The British land at Harfleur and captures the city. Fluellen, Gower, Macmorris and James (the Welsh, English, Irish and Scottish commanders, respectively) are introduced, and Fluellen and Macmorris get into a discussion on military tactics. Bardolph, one of Henry's former friends, is sentenced to death for stealing from the local people, which is supported by Henry himself.
The French greatly outnumber the English, so the latter spend the night before the battle of Agincourt believing they will die. Henry visits the troops in disguise, and sets a future quarrel with Williams, who doubts of the King's motives. They agree to duel later, and they shall recognize each other by a glove.
After a very emotional speech, the battle starts, and the English win impressively, killing ten thousand French, while only suffering twenty-nine deaths.
Henry gives the glove to Fluellen, which starts a fight between Williams and Fluellen, which is ended by a money offer for Williams by the King.
King Charles of France is allowed to keep his throne, but Henry is engaged to Princess Catherine, thus becoming the heir to the French crown.
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Andres Becerra, Resident Scholar
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"Young King Henry V of England decides to go to war with France after being assured that he has a right to the throne by blood. The French Prince sends insults to Henry via the harold, Mountjoy, who sympathizes with Henry, though is loyal to the French. Henry takes his "happy few" to war, and after a tremendous battle at Agincourt, he triumphs and takes the French throne. Then he woos the French Princess Katherine who is somewhat reluctant to love "the enemy of France." Henry assures her he is the "friend of France," and of course wins her in the end. "
Megan E. Davis, Resident Scholar
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| Review Analysis of Henry V |
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Our unique search engine provides a wealth of detail about books by breaking them down into many different literary elements, all of which are searchable (click here).
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Ratings are on a 1-10 scale (Low to High)
Plot
Tone of book?
- thoughtful
Time/era of story
- distant past/middle ages
Life of a profession:
- prince/nobleman/king/queen
Is this an adult or child's book?
- Adult or Young Adult Book
War/Revolt/Disaster on civilians
Yes
Job/Profession/Status story
Yes
Conflict:
- War, general
Main Character
Gender
- Male
Profession/status:
- Prince/Nobleman/King
Age:
- 20's-30's
Ethnicity/Nationality
- British
How sensitive is this character?
- sensitive to others' feelings
- hard edged
Sense of humor
- Mostly serious with occasional humor
Intelligence
- Smarter than most other characters
- Very much smarter than other characters
Physique
- average physique
Main Adversary
Identity:
- Male
- an organization
Age:
- 20's-30's
Profession/status:
- Prince/Nobleman/King
How much of work is main antagonist actually present in:
- a little/some
- an average amount
How sensitive is this character?
- mean, arrogant
Sense of humor
- Cynical sense of humor
Intelligence
- Dumb
Setting
How much descriptions of surroundings?
- 2 (a little)
Europe
Yes
European country:
- England/UK
- France
Style
Person
- mostly 3rd
- rotating 1st
Accounts of torture and death?
- moderately detailed references to deaths
- explicit references to deaths
Weird Victorian/Shakespearean English?
Yes
Unusual Style:
- a lot of play on words
Is this a play?
Yes
Amount of dialog
- mostly dialog
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