Shakespeare's retelling of the Battle of Agincourt of 1415 is the final part in his second tetralogyA series of four. of history plays. Written in 1599, as England was at war in Ireland, Shakespeare turns to history to think about war and its myths. The series begins with Henry IV usurping Richard II's throne, and then follows his son Hal's transformation from a "wild" young man into the noble king we see in this play. Now that Henry V is ruling England, he decides to invade France and claim the crown there. The English army is outnumbered, but a rousing speech urges them on to achieve an extraordinary victory. First, however, Shakespeare offers a nuancedHaving or characterised by subtle and often appealingly complex qualities, aspects, or distinctions. discussion of the morality of warfare. Are the glory and honour worth the deaths of ordinary people? And is King Henry responsible for the lives lost in his pursuit of power?
Henry V
Glossary
Tetralogy - A series of four.
Nuanced - Having or characterised by subtle and often appealingly complex qualities, aspects, or distinctions.
Battle of Agincourt - A key battle in the Hundred Years' War between the English and the French. It was won by the English in 1415.
Cynical - Not trusting in the goodness of others.
Prologue - A part that comes at the beginning of a play or story, often giving information about the events leading up to the start.
Protestants - A group of Christians. Protestants separated from the Roman Catholic Church in the 16th Century. This took place at first in Germany.
Catholics - Followers of the Catholic church, a Christian denomination with over a billion followers worldwide, led by the Pope.
Cynicism - Believing that people are only motivated by self-interest and not a good intentions.
Rhetorical - Relating to the art of persuasive speaking.
Eloquence - Fluent or persuasive speaking or writing.
Medieval - Relating to the Middle Ages.