Life of King Henry V (version 2)

Shakespeare's famous second Henriad reaches its thrilling conclusion in this chronicle of King Henry V's spirited leadership over his country—a Henry who is a far cry from the prodigal prince who we saw in Henry IV, Part 1 and Henry IV, Part 2. Now grown up and more mature than he was in his youth, Henry V is persuaded by the English clergy that he has an ancestral claim to the French throne, and when France's haughty Dauphin facetiously rebuffs him with a gift of tennis balls, Henry orders his troops to invade French lands and begin another violent and costly war. Thus ensues one of Shakespeare's most manifestly patriotic works, giving us in Henry a model of national zeal, courageousness, inspiration and determination, with speeches and scenes of such grand poetic intensity that they have cemented Henry V's legendary status even to this day. But, as you shall also see, Shakespeare's expert way of providing the subtlest critiques remains a key component of this work, as we see glimpses of Henry as a manipulative tactician capable of achieving his ends through questionable means, and we are also given the perspectives of the many soldiers serving in Henry's army.