Henry V Literary Elements

drama; history play

English

England during the reign of King Henry V, early 15th century

The play closely follows the thoughts and experiences of King Henry V. The Chorus serves as a type of narrator, commenting on the action of the play and alerting audiences to the insufficiency of the theater to recreate historical events with great accuracy.

The tone of the play is democratic and triumphant. The mood of the play is ruthless and prosperous.

The protagonist of the play is King Henry V. The antagonist of the play is the Dauphin (Prince of France) and the French army.

The central conflict of the play is the war between England and France.

The climax of the play occurs on the eve of the Battle of Agincourt, when Henry V gives a rousing speech to his men who are severely outnumbered. The next day, they secure a victory over the French forces.

After the Dauphin insults Henry by sending him a crate of tennis balls, Henry describes the destruction he will unleash on France in retaliation. His speech foreshadows the eventual victory he and his men will have over the French army.

The crate of tennis balls that the Dauphin sends to Henry can be considered an understated act, as they communicate an implication that only Henry and a few nobles would understand (that Henry is unfit to rule).

There are multiple allusions throughout Henry V to the other history plays in the tetralogy – Richard II, Henry VI Part One, and Henry IV Part Two.

Important imagery in the play includes warfare, animals, the sun, and the early modern stage.

The central paradox in the play is that the Dauphin assumes Henry is still a reckless youth when in reality, Henry is a strong and resilient king who eventually wins victory over the French army.

Throughout the play, Henry is compared to his younger, wild self, with most believing that he has left his youth entirely behind. However, some critics maintain that Henry's penchant for games and disguises has simply been put to better use as king, suggesting the utility of his past in his present circumstances.

In a reverse form of personification (known as zoomorphism), Henry encourages his men to become like lions during the Battle of Harfleur as part of the famous "Once more unto the breach" speech.

The Chorus works throughout the play to remind the audience of the space they are in, emphasizing repeatedly the insufficient space of the theater for recreating historical events.