Henry V Study Guide

Words: Breach, Dauphin, Orisons, Tetralogy, Sovereign, Cockpit, Casque, Gilt, Dowry, Puissant
People you should know: Henry, Chorus, Exeter, Bardolph, Nym, Pistol, Hostess, Boy, Scroop, Grey,
Cambridge, King of France, Dauphin, Katherine, Alice, Fluellen
Things you should know: Where did the battles take place? What special day does one of the battles take
place on? How many people die in the battle of Agincourt? Why does the boy want to leave the company of
Nym, Bardolph, and Pistol? How does Falstaff die? What do the French do that really makes Henry mad? Who
speaks in prose? Who speaks in verse? What does that signify? To whom does Henry speak prose and to
whom does he speak verse? What does Henry do to Katherine that embarrasses her? What other plays are in
this particular cycle of history plays? How many history plays did Shakespeare write? Why did he write history
plays? What did the history plays all have in common? What is noteworthy about the last speech by the
Chorus? Hint: it’s different than everything else in the play in the way it’s constructed. Who convinces Harry
that he can rightfully make his claim in France, and why do they do it? Why doesn’t Pistol kill the French soldier
that surrenders to him? Who is sentenced to hang for robbery? What English words does Katharine find lewd?
How do the French feel about the English army and their chances of beating them? What does the King of
France offer Henry to try and avoid a war? What gift does the Dauphin send to Harry early in the play and
why? How does the play end? Who is Henry’s father? Who is Henry’s son? What purpose does the Chorus
serve throughout the play?