Shakespeare, Henry V

Question 1

Henry V: who are the Dukes of Gloucester, Bedford, and Clarence

Answer 1

Henry’s brothers

Question 2

Henry V: what’s the significance of Lord Scroop, Sir Thomas Grey, and Henry’s cousin the Earl of Cambridge?

Answer 2

The traitor plot based off a real assassination plot against Henry V. They show Henry’s new resolve.

Question 3

Henry V: talking point, perspective, French countryside, Katherine, ideology, chorus

Answer 3

Claire McEachern points out an instance of anamorphic perspective: Henry: “You may, some of you, thank love for my blindness, who cannot see many a fair French city for one fair French maid that stands in my way.” France: “Yes, my lord, you see them perspectively, the cities turned into a maid”.
o Da Vinci, developments in perspective in art; Perspective glasses, etc.
o Renaissance interest in perspective connected to Renaissance skepticism—things look different from another point of view.
o Add to this my arguments about the epic vantage point and how it shifts with the arrival of new developments in perspective (CF HAMLET “there are more things in heaven and earth…” paralysis of too-large perspective, PARADISE LOST, BROWNING(?) ).
o ***Reinforced by the contrast between the abrupt contradictions: usually between the chorus talking about an exalted ideal followed by a scene depicting the opposite, the real, a total deflation.

Question 4

Henry V: talking point, compare to other works, vantage points (too broad), knowledge, acting

Answer 4

• In terms of perspective: Henry V and Hamlet provide two ways of getting at something similar: the fact that knowledge is not power; fiction is power. Both Henry and Hamlet are actors of a supreme talent—but Hamlet has what he sees in Rosencrantz and Guildenstern—“modesties” that are too strong for him to subscribe fully to the fiction—his “modesties have not craft to colour” his constant confession.

Question 5

Henry V: discuss the developments in perspective in art around the time Shakespeare is writing

Answer 5

• Da Vinci, developments in perspective in art; Holbein the Younger playing with it in 1533—The Ambassadors

Question 6

Henry V: what’s the significance of the chorus in this play?

Answer 6

See talking point above, about abrupt transitions in the play & perspective: chorus talking about an exalted ideal followed by a scene depicting the opposite, the real, a total deflation.

Question 7

Henry V: discuss historical context as Shakespeare is writing this play; England

Answer 7

• Queen Elizabeth—it’s now apparent she won’t have an heir
• Some nostalgia already for the patriotic fervor of the victory over Spanish Armada 10 years earlier
• Still a nation under threat of war
• Also under threat of sectarian division

Question 8

Henry V: when is Henry V written?

Answer 8

~1599

Question 9

Henry V: when is Shakespeare alive?

Answer 9

26 April 1564 - 23 April 1616