Why does Caliban hate Prospero and Miranda?

Why was Prospero banished?

Years before the action of The Tempest begins, two men conspired to assassinate Prospero, who
was then the Duke of Milan. These two men were Prospero’s brother, Antonio, and the King of
Naples, Alonso. The purpose of these men’s conspiracy was to remove Prospero from power and
install Antonio in his place. Antonio succeeded in taking over the dukedom but the assassination plot
failed because Gonzalo alerted Prospero to the plot and helped him escape from Milan on a rotting
boat. As Prospero explains to Miranda in Act I, scene ii, they arrived on the island “By providence
divine.” Although Prospero is clearly the victim of a foul plot against his life, he was not entirely
blameless in the events that occurred. By his own admission, Prospero’s increasing obsession with
the study of magic had begun to take more and more of his time. This obsession forced him to
neglect his duties as duke and eventually hand the government over to Antonio. Though Prospero’s
delinquency does not justify Antonio’s betrayal, it certainly enabled it.

Who is Ariel and why does he work for Prospero?

Ariel is a spirit who uses magic to help Prospero carry out his plans. Given Ariel’s evident power, it
may seem odd that he would be willing to serve Prospero at all. So why does he do the magician’s
bidding? The main reason is that Ariel owes what freedom he has to Prospero. Prior to Prospero’s
arrival on the island, Ariel served Caliban’s mother, Sycorax. As Prospero reminds him in Act I, scene
ii, Ariel fell out of favor with Sycorax, and she imprisoned him in a “cloven pine.” Ariel remained
stuck in the tree for twelve years, during which time Sycorax died, abandoning Ariel to an eternity of
pain. When Prospero arrived on the island, he found Ariel in torment: “Thy groans,” he explains,
“Did make wolves howl and penetrate the breasts / Of ever angry bears” (I.ii.). Prospero freed Ariel
from this prison, and he struck a deal in which Ariel would serve him faithfully for one year, after
which he would be released from all service and return to freedom.

Why does Caliban hate Prospero and Miranda?

Caliban sees Prospero and Miranda as imperialists who took control of an island that he felt
belonged to him. In a way, Caliban ironically mirrors Prospero, who was also violently unseated from
power. However, whereas Prospero ended up free but in exile, Caliban ended up enslaved in his own
home. Caliban resents the sudden and radical shift in his social position, going from the free ruler of
the island to the servant of a tyrannical master. In addition to despising Prospero for enslaving him
and divesting him of all power, Caliban also resents Miranda for the education she has given him.
Miranda describes her efforts as selfless and guided by pity. However, Miranda’s educational
program also intends to civilize Caliban, a “savage” who “wouldst gabble like / A thing most brutish”
(I.ii.). Caliban sees Miranda’s apparently selfless act as an extension of her father’s imperialism. He
also insists that the only good thing about being forced to learn her language is that he can now fully
express his hatred: “You taught me language, and my profit on ’t / Is I know how to curse” (I.ii.).

How does Prospero manipulate Alonso and his company?

Throughout the play Prospero commands his servant Ariel to present Alonso and his company with
visions of splendor and horror. These visions have a dual purpose. On the one hand, they are meant
to keep the men disoriented. At one point Ariel even puts the men to sleep in order to disorient
them further. As long as Alonso and his company remain bewildered, Prospero can control their
movements and lead them through space as he pleases. On the other hand, the visions of splendor
and horror are meant to break the men down emotionally and psychologically. This emotional
breakdown is a crucial aspect of Prospero’s plan. Alonso must feel broken and defeated, so that
when Prospero reveals that his son Ferdinand survived, the revelation will enable an authentic
emotional resolution to their longstanding conflict. In other words, Prospero uses magic both to get
revenge and to secure his own salvation.

Why does Prospero give up magic?

Near the beginning of Act V, Prospero stands alone onstage and delivers a speech where he lists his
many accomplishments in magic. At the end of this speech, he tells himself that he will abandon
“this rough magic” once he’s managed to resolve his conflict with Alonso and Antonio: “I’ll break my
staff, / Bury it certain fathoms in the earth, / And, deeper than did ever plummet sound, / I’ll drown
my book” (V.i.). In The Tempest, Prospero uses magic as a means to an end. Although his
accomplishments in the magic arts have been great, magic itself remains “rough,” meaning either
“crude” or “violent.” In short, magic is capable of great harm. And as Prospero describes in the first
act, his obsessive study of magic is what cost him his dukedom in the first place. Prospero therefore
uses magic to right a wrong and restore himself to power. However, once he accomplishes his goal,
he resolves to abandon magic and rid himself of its corrupting influence for good.

What is Caliban’s relationship to Prospero?

In Shakespeare’s play, Caliban is ultimately seen as Prospero’s slave. Their relationship highlights one
of the central themes of The Tempest concerning colonialism and imperialism. He is the only native
inhabitant on the island and is not treated well by his master. Caliban wishes ill to Prospero and
wants to finally take back his land.

In Henry V what is the role of the chorus, and how does it differ from other characters
in the play?
In some ways the chorus is a stand-in for Shakespeare himself. The chorus acts as an
intermediary between those who put on the play (the playwright and the actors) and those who
watch and listen (the audience). Unlike the other characters in the play, the chorus addresses the
audience directly. For example, in the epilogue, the chorus apologizes for the poor quality of the
play: "Thus far with rough and all-unable pen/Our bending author hath pursued the story." The
chorus also speaks glowingly of Henry V, and so can be seen as a means of pleasing the royal
family, on whom Shakespeare's livelihood depends. Yet the chorus is still just a character of
Shakespeare's creation, and only tells part of the story. Through other characters in the play,
such as Henry V, the boy, and Pistol, Shakespeare can probe darker themes, such as the nature
of power. The views of these characters sometimes align with the chorus's view, but other times
contrast sharply with the heroic picture of Henry V painted by the chorus. In this sense the
chorus serves as a counterpoint to some of the themes the play explores.

 Chorus King Henry V Boy Pistol Conquest

In what ways is Shakespeare's Henry V an antiwar or pro-war play?

On one hand, the drastic difference between the way that the chorus speaks of war and the
actual violence of war depicted in the play can lead to the conclusion that the play, as a whole, is
antiwar. An interpretation that emphasizes Pistol's story line, that focuses on the violent imagery
of Henry's speech to the governor of Harfleur and that lingers on the killings of the French
prisoners and the boys guarding the luggage, also promotes an antiwar theme. In this
interpretation the chorus acts as a form of propaganda that shows how the victors might depict a
war to make themselves look noble and righteous. However, there is no doubt Shakespeare's
version of Henry V possesses eloquence and brilliance, and both his humility after their great
success against the French and his awkwardness with Katherine are humanizing. The French, in
contrast, are portrayed as arrogant and crude. If Henry is a fundamentally good person, an epic
hero as suggested by the chorus, then it is hard to see the play as being completely antiwar. In
this way war may be glorified as a hero-defining event. Virgil's version of Aeneas is entirely
parallel—one with which Shakespeare was most likely quite familiar through his long studies in
Latin and Roman playwrights, orators, and philosophers.

 Chorus King Henry V Katherine Pistol Conquest Language

In Henry V how do Henry V's words and actions reflect his concerns about the sins of
his father?
Henry V's father, Henry IV, deposed King Richard II and took the crown for himself. He also was
implicated, at least in part, for the murder of Richard II. All of Henry V's actions as king can be
traced back to his concern that his father did wrong in the eyes of God by taking action against
the rightful king. Henry V's campaign against the French is motivated, in part, by his need to
prove himself to be the rightful, God-appointed king. Henry's prayer to God before the Battle of
Agincourt in Act 4, Scene 1 shows clearly that his father's sins loom large in his mind: "Not today,
O Lord,/O, not today, think not upon the fault/My father made in compassing the crown./I
Richard's body have interrèd new/And on it have bestowed more contrite tears/Than from it
issued forcèd drops of blood." He goes on to say that he has taken action to make amends for
his father's sins against Richard II by paying 500 people to pray for pardon for Richard's death,
and paying priests to sing continually for Richard's soul. Later, his great relief when English
casualties are low in the Battle of Agincourt speaks to his sense that God gave him the victory
and, therefore, God approves of his invasion of France.

 King Henry V Conquest Kingship

In Henry V, in what ways does Henry V's powerful position as king make him more or
less moral than he was as youthful Prince Hal?
As a young prince, Hal took part in small acts of thievery and other illegal acts, and spent his free
time in Mistress Quickly's tavern, drinking with Falstaff, Pistol, and other dubious characters. He
seemed to have little conscience about his behavior, and it was not what anyone would call
"moral." When he ascends to the kingship, he casts off his former companions and behaviors,
and seems to become more of a "good" man, responsible and law-abiding. He has even traded
in his more playful nickname of "Hal" for the more mature "Henry." Certainly the bishop of Ely
and the archbishop of Canterbury think his moral fiber is much strengthened since he became
king. Yet as his greater power gives him more influence over the everyday lives of people, and
his decisions become matters of life and death, Henry 's actions and behavior remain
questionable. He coldly abandons all of his former friends, as if they mean nothing to him,
possibly contributing to the death of Falstaff. He ruthlessly threatens the French townspeople at
Harfleur. All of this is done to solidify and expand his own power, which he has been at great
pains to fuse not only with God's will (God wants England to rule France) but also with his God-
given right to be king. If God is on his side, he can't lose, and it becomes easier to persuade
soldiers to support him. So in that sense, he becomes less moral as he gains power, even
though his actions are considered lawful.

 King Henry V Bishop of Ely Archbishop of Canterbury Mistress Quickly Falstaff Pistol Conquest Kingship

In Henry V how do Captains Fluellen, Jamy, Gower, and MacMorris serve to develop
the idea of English unification?
Shakespeare's use of Captains Fluellen, Jamy, Gower, and MacMorris to represent Wales,
Ireland, England, and Scotland is meant to show that the various parts of Henry V's kingdom,
which were engaged in civil war for most of his father's reign, are now united under Henry V. This
develops the idea of Henry V as a unifier—this trait sets him apart from his father, who was a
cause of the civil war, and encompasses Henry V's desire to bring France, too, under his rule
through conquest as well as marriage. However, although all four captains speak English, the
differences in dialect among them are so important that Shakespeare reflects them in the
spellings of the words. The captains are not just known to be from different places, they must
sound different to each other. Indeed the thick accents of the four captains result in several
misunderstandings, suggesting that even a shared language cannot bridge all divisions.

 King Henry V Captain Fluellen Captain Gower Captain MacMorris Captain Jamy Language Kingship Conquest

What do the perceived changes in Henry V's character from his youth to his
adulthood reveal about the attributes of an ideal king in Henry V?
As a youth Henry is irresponsible and disrespectful. He has disreputable friends. He doesn't
seem to take his position seriously and seems to care only about having a good time. When he
becomes king, he makes a complete reversal. He is responsible and dignified. He cuts ties with
his tavern friends and does not befriend anyone new. He takes his position seriously; and he
seems to care about the kingdom, his people, and God. These changes suggest that an ideal
king is concerned more for the kingdom than for his own pleasure. The ideal king has subjects,
not friends. He does his duty to his country and to God at the expense of all other things. Above
all he avoids the appearance of immorality and wrongdoing like the plague.

 King Henry V Kingship

In Act 3, Scene 1 and Act 4, Scene 3 of Henry V, how do Henry V's speeches in
Harfleur and before the Battle of Agincourt compare and contrast?
Both speeches show Henry V's amazing eloquence and his persuasive ability. He hits exactly the
notes that should both persuade his men to fight bravely and make them love him. In both
speeches he invites them into his own sphere, asking them to view him as a friend and brother.
At Harfleur he calls them "friends," and at Agincourt, he calls them "a band of brothers." He also
uses images in both speeches that fire up the imagination and inspire his soldiers to think of the
ideals they fight for: nobility, honor, God, and country. However, the challenge at each battle is
slightly different, and Henry tailors his message to the situation. At Harfleur he must persuade his
men to act like soldiers, implying that they have been men of peace for some time and are not
fully accustomed to war. But at Agincourt Henry speaks to the soldiers in a different way because
they are now used to fighting. The issue in the St. Crispin's Day speech is different, too. Henry
focuses on the small numbers of men they have compared to the French forces. By framing them
as the "happy few" who have the great privilege of fighting together as brothers, Henry makes
their small numbers, normally a disadvantage in battle, seem like a positive thing.

 King Henry V Language

In Henry V what criteria does Henry V seem to use to decide whether or not he will
show mercy?
Henry V uses the word mercy quite a bit, but his application of it as a principle appears
inconsistent. He shows mercy to the drunken man who insults him, while refraining from showing
mercy to his own noblemen. He orders his soldiers to be merciful to the citizens of Harfleur, but
only after his threats to the townspeople have indicated he will be merciless to them if they do not
agree to his terms of surrender. Similarly, he instructs his men to be respectful to the French, but
only after agreeing that a soldier caught thieving should definitely be executed. Henry, then,
seems to "show" mercy—to give the appearance of mercy—while having little real mercy or pity
for either his own people or the French. In the spirits of Machiavelli and Queen Elizabeth, he
doles out acts of mercy as a means to an end: when it is dramatically important to do so, or
makes some other point, or makes him look like the Christian king he wants to be.
 King Henry V Kingship

In what ways is Shakespeare's portrayal of the English people as a whole in Henry

V flattering or unflattering?
Shakespeare shows the English to be a varied lot, from the petty thieves and tavern-goers, to the
common soldiers, to the virtuous nobles, to the churchmen of dubious moral fiber, to the traitors.
He does not present individual English people in a completely flattering way. In fact he shows
each person's flaws, including Henry V's. However, as a whole, the portrayal is endearing: the
play's English characters seem human and often three-dimensional. In contrast the majority of
the French seem obnoxious, arrogant, or weak. This contrast suggests an overall positive
attitude toward his fellow English on Shakespeare's part, not unexpected given his own biases.
This generally flattering portrayal of the English people is true of all plays by Shakespeare, for his
audiences were drawn together into the same space (such as the Globe) and time for the
performance of the plays. This audience, unified by space and time, is reflected in the issues
of Henry V because pickpockets and prostitutes roamed the groundling area of the theater (where
the poor stood to see the show), while the wealthy (and the queen's agents, ministers, and so on,
in disguise) sat up in the galleries. Shakespeare is appealing not only to the upper classes, but to
all classes of London society of the time.
 King Henry V

How does the Dauphin compare and contrast with Henry V in Henry V?
Both the Dauphin and Henry V are powerful men who are willing to lead men into battle. Both are
confident in their ability to be victorious. But while Henry V is a subtle manipulator, getting people
to do what he wants through argument and persuasion, the Dauphin provokes conflict with a
rude gift of tennis balls. While Henry V makes careful, strategic preparations as he divides his
forces in order to invade France while also protecting England, the Dauphin crows about
France's strength while failing to prepare an adequate defense of the country, leaving Harfleur at
the mercy of English forces. Overall the Dauphin seems to be all bark and no bite, relying on
empty boasts and crude jokes that have terrible consequences, while Henry V's eloquent words
are backed up with practical measures that bring him success.
In Act 1, Scene 2 of Henry V why does the archbishop of Canterbury compare the
people of England to honeybees?
In the midst of the discussion about how many soldiers to take into France, the archbishop of
Canterbury uses an extended simile comparing England to a hive of honeybees to explain how
all the various ranks of men, from the king to the common soldiers, work together. As a religious
teacher he makes the point that the example of nature can demonstrate how to order a kingdom,
remarking that "a rule in nature teach/The act of order to a peopled kingdom." He notes that
honeybees "have a king and officers of sorts" as well as those who act as merchants,
magistrates, and soldiers. Ultimately, these functions are all tied together by obedience and "one
purpose." As a practical matter the archbishop's simile serves to explain his idea that Henry V
should take one-quarter of the English soldiers to France, while the rest should remain in
England to defend it. As the bees divide the work, with some ranging far away from the hive and
others staying nearby to defend it, so should Henry's forces divide their work.

 Archbishop of Canterbury King Henry V

In Act 1, Scene 2 of Henry V in what ways does Henry V fulfill or fail to fulfill his view
of himself as a "Christian king"?
In Act 1, Scene 2 Henry describes himself as a "Christian king," in contrast with a tyrant, saying,
"We are no tyrant, but a Christian king,/Unto whose grace our passion is as subject/As is our
wretches fettered in our prisons." In contrasting these two types of rulers (Christian versus
tyrant), he suggests that a tyrant rules by bending his people to his own passions, while a
Christian king subjects his passions to grace, or virtue. According to Henry's metaphor a
Christian king places his own passions in prison. Although Henry V claims he does not rule by
giving in to his own passions, it certainly seems as though his personal outrage at the Dauphin's
insult mixes with his outrage on behalf of the English people and propels him to initiate war with
France, even though he was already entertaining that idea for other reasons. However, there are
many instances where Henry could allow his personal feelings to guide his behavior, but he
refrains from doing so. For example, he lets the drunken man who spoke against the king go
free. He also doesn't hold Williams responsible for the challenge against Henry when Henry was
disguised as a common soldier. When Henry does achieve victory, he gives credit to God rather
than taking it for himself. Overall he appears to be trying to subject his own self-interest to the
needs of the kingdom, though as a human he does this imperfectly.

 King Henry V Kingship

How does the conflict between Pistol and Nym in Act 2, Scene 1 of Henry V provide a
commentary on the coming invasion of France?
In Act 2, Scene 1 of Henry V, Pistol and Nym have an argument over Mistress Quickly, who had
been engaged to Nym before Pistol married her. Their disagreement turns into an exchange of
insults, which then leads to drawn swords and threats of violence. Like many incidents in Pistol's
subplot, this one acts as a parallel to something in Henry's story line. Pistol and Nym argue, and
draw swords, over Mistress Quickly, just as Henry V plans to fight the French over the right to
rule it. Providing a crude parallel to Henry's seemingly noble quest suggests, in an unflattering
way, that Henry's conflict with Charles VI and the Dauphin over France is akin to men scuffling
over a love triangle in an undignified fashion.
 King Henry V Pistol Nym Mistress Quickly King of France The Dauphin Conquest

In Henry V what does Henry's foreknowledge regarding the plot against his life
suggest about him?
At the beginning of Act 2, Scene 2 the conversation between the Duke of Exeter, the Duke of
Bedford, and the Earl of Westmoreland reveals that Henry V already knows about the treachery
of Lord Scroop, the Earl of Cambridge, and Sir Thomas Grey. It is not revealed how Henry found
out about the plot, but his quick and certain knowledge of the conspiracy suggests that he has an
active and efficient intelligence network. He may be a king newly crowned, but clearly he is a
savvy and competent politician who is well versed in how to make use of spies and informants. It
was said that Queen Elizabeth, too, had such an intricate spy network that a rat could not pass
from one house to another without her knowledge. Henry's artful way of ensnaring the three
traitors in a noose of their own making supports this characterization of Henry V.

 King Henry V Duke of Exeter Duke of Bedford Earl of Westmoreland Lord Scroop Earl of Cambridge Sir Thomas

Grey Kingship

In Act 2, Scene 2 of Henry V, why does the Earl of Cambridge claim he did not plot
against Henry V for France's gold?
In Act 2, Scene 2 the Earl of Cambridge makes a point of saying that he did not plot against
Henry V for France's gold, which leaves the audience to consider what his motivation for plotting
to assassinate Henry might be. Cambridge states that, "Never was monarch better feared and
loved/Than is your Majesty. There's not, I think, a subject/That sits in heart-grief and
uneasiness/Under the sweet shade of your government." However, Cambridge still believes that
Henry IV should not have deposed Richard II, and likely believes that Henry V's death would
allow Richard II's true heir to ascend the throne, especially since Henry V has no heir as of yet.
The Earl of Cambridge's motivation for plotting against Henry is therefore a political, rather than
financial, one.

 King Henry V Earl of Cambridge

In Henry V what is the significance of the imagery Exeter uses to explain what will
happen if the king of France refuses to give in to Henry?
In Act 2, Scene 4 when Charles VI asks Exeter what will happen if he doesn't simply hand over
the crown to Henry V, Exeter replies that violence will be the consequence: "if you hide the
crown/Even in your hearts, there will he rake for it./Therefore in fierce tempest is he coming,/In
thunder and in earthquake like a Jove,....And bids you, in the bowels of the Lord,/Deliver up the
crown." This imagery is violent, but also loaded with allusions to the Bible and classical
mythology. Biblical passages often depict God as being able to find or see what is hidden in the
hearts of humans, and God's power and presence are often associated with storms and
earthquakes. In Roman mythology Jove was the ruler of the gods, and commanded thunderbolts
as weapons. This imagery is terrifying and serves to depict Henry V as godlike and
overwhelmingly powerful.

 King Henry V King of France Duke of Exeter Kingship Conquest

In what ways does Henry V's speech in Act 3, Scene 1 of Henry V especially appeal
to the common soldiers among his men?
This speech is, in some ways, the antidote to the archbishop of Canterbury's "honeybee" simile,
which describes Englishmen in terms of their ranks and functions. Instead, its language seems to
erase boundaries of class and breeding among the soldiers. Henry V begins by calling his men
"dear friends." This remarkable phrase invites all the men, even the common soldiers, to
consider themselves friends of the king. Later in the speech, Henry refers to the men as "noblest
English," says that their fathers are like Alexander the Great, a famous king and military leader,
and appeals to the men's sense of honor. Then he suggests that even the most common man in
the army has some nobleness in him: "for there is none of you so mean and base/That hath not
noble luster in your eyes." The idea that by fighting bravely one might show a more noble self,
such as Falstaff's attempt at soldiering in Henry IV, would be very appealing and persuasive to
the common soldiers in Henry's army.
 King Henry V Falstaff Language

How does Act 3, Scene 1 relate to Act 3, Scene 2 of Henry V?

Act 3, Scene 2 occurs directly after Henry V's famous "once more unto the breach" speech, but
its focus shifts from Henry to some of the common soldiers he was trying to persuade. Nym,
Bardolph, Pistol, and the boy have heard Henry V speak, and although Bardolph seems, at first,
to be persuaded, the four of them end up stepping aside from the fighting rather than rushing
toward it. They commiserate about the danger they are in, and how much they miss home. It
takes Captain Fluellen's reprimanding them to get them back in the fight. This reaction to Henry's
speech shows that, despite his eloquent words about achieving nobility by fighting well, and how
they are all his friends, those who actually were his friends in the past are unmoved. Henry's past
actions still speak louder than his eloquent words.
 King Henry V Pistol Nym Bardolph Boy Captain Fluellen Language

How does Shakespeare use humor in the scene between Alice and Katherine in Act
3, Scene 4 of Henry V?
As Alice teaches Katherine, who is French, the English words for various parts of the body,
Katherine makes fun of the way they sound. When Alice comes to the
words foot and gown (which she mispronounces "count"), Katherine claims that they sound like
impolite words that she should not say aloud. There are several layers of humor in this scene.
Katherine's amusement at the silly-sounding words as her gentlewoman Alice patiently instructs
her is evident. There is also humor in the fact that Alice's English is heavily accented, and so her
teaching of English words is flawed. In addition, to point out that foot and "count" should not be
said aloud, Katherine must say them several times: "Le foot, et le count. Ô Seigneur Dieu! ....
Foh! Le foot et le count!"
 Alice Katherine Language

In Act 3, Scene 6 of Henry V what does Montjoy mean when he says "though we
seemed dead, we did but sleep"?
In Act 3, Scene 6 Montjoy has been sent from Charles VI with a message for Henry V. Part of the
message is "though we seemed dead, we did but sleep." This refers to the fact that, so far, the
French forces have been completely unprepared for the English invasion. At Harfleur part of the
reason that the governor surrendered is that Charles VI had not sent sufficient military help. The
implication is that, now that the French have waked from sleep, they will be a formidable enemy,
capturing Henry and demanding ransom that will repay the French for all the destruction and loss
they have suffered.

How does dramatic irony affect the interaction between Henry V and Pistol in Act 4,
Scene 1 of Henry V?
Dramatic irony occurs when the audience knows information that one or more characters in the
play do not. In this case Henry V has put on Erpingham's cloak and is in disguise when Pistol
approaches him. So the audience knows that the man in the cloak is Henry, but Pistol does not.
This adds drama to the interaction, because a king walking among his men incognito is dramatic,
and having anyone in disguise anticipates the reveal that will come later when Henry's true
identity is disclosed, which builds suspense. The dramatic irony also results in humor, as Pistol
speaks glowingly of the king ("a heart of gold, a lad/of life, an imp of fame, of parents good, of fist
most/valiant") while insulting the man in front of him, who, unbeknownst to Pistol, happens to be
the king ("The figo for thee then!").
 King Henry V Pistol

How does Henry V, who is in disguise, identify himself to his men when they
approach him in Act 4, Scene 1 of Henry V, and why is this significant?
Both times Henry is approached by his men while in disguise (first by Pistol and then by John
Bates, Alexander Court, and Michael Williams) he tells them he is "a friend." This is significant
because it mirrors his words in his "once unto the breach" speech, in which he addressed his
men as "friends." Though in disguise, he employs the same tactic to gain the confidence of his
soldiers, suggesting that Henry is crafty in his use of language. In addition it reminds the
audience that Henry V once was friends with common men such as these, and in Pistol's case,
was an actual friend, or at least drinking buddy.

 King Henry V Court Williams Bates Pistol Language

In Act 4, Scene 1 of Henry V, of all the things Williams says about the king, which one
seems to bother Henry V the most, and why?
Michael Williams speaks his mind about the war, the king, and the king's responsibility for others.
First he seems to suggest—by responding "that's more than we know"—that the war is not "just"
and "honorable," as the disguised Henry says. Williams also gives a list of all the things that
might be left in disarray when a soldier dies in battle, such as debts unpaid, wives and children
destitute, and the like. Then Williams notes that if the men "do not die well," that is, die in God's
favor so they can go to heaven rather than hell, it is the king's fault. And it is this last point that
bothers Henry the most, because he immediately argues back strongly that "the King is not
bound/to answer the particular endings of his soldiers." The idea that the king causes suffering or
that his war might not be honorable does not bother Henry nearly as much as this idea that he
might be personally responsible for whether his own men go to heaven or hell.

 King Henry V Williams Kingship

What is the role of Falstaff in Shakespeare's Henry V?

Falstaff is never seen in the play, nor heard. Yet he is a very important character in the previous
plays, where he is a father figure, friend, and mentor to young Prince Hal. When Hal becomes
Henry V, Falstaff is overjoyed, thinking his fortunes will also rise because he is a special friend of
the new king. But Henry rejects Falstaff's friendship. In Henry V this rejection has weighed heavily
on Falstaff, so that when he becomes ill, his friends blame it on Henry's treatment of him, saying
that "the King has killed his heart" (Act 2, Scene 1). Falstaff later dies, but his death is described
by his friends, not seen onstage. His treatment of Falstaff shows what a cold character Henry V
can be, and perhaps helps Henry show that he has indeed subjugated his own passions to his
need to be a strong ruler. Falstaff's death also emphasizes the fact that Henry V really has no
friends anymore, and is far more isolated from human warmth now that he is king.
 King Henry V Falstaff Kingship

How would the ending of Henry V change if the epilogue were not included?
If Shakespeare had not included the epilogue, the play would end with Henry V's successful
negotiations with the king of France and Henry's words about the future shared prosperity of
Henry and Katherine. This would be a triumphant ending, full of promise for the future and for a
long, happy, successful life. The epilogue calls all of this into question, because it reveals that
Henry V dies young, leaving an infant heir to take his place as king, who then grows up to lose
the gains his father had made in France. Having the epilogue gives a darker view of the
consequences while leaving it out would leave the play at a high point. It might be that
Shakespeare wanted his audiences to discuss these ideas after the play. Despite Henry V's
efforts, his rule is short and his conquest of France vulnerable.
 King Henry V Katherine Conquest Kingship

How is the idea that imagination is powerful developed in Shakespeare's Henry V?

As the chorus in Henry V continually points out, the human imagination is powerful. Describing
sights and sounds makes people and their actions come alive in the mind, and can
instantaneously transport a person from one setting to the next: "Thus with imagined wing our
swift scene flies/In motion of no less celerity/Than that of thought." For example, the chorus calls
upon the audience to imagine several scenes in the play that would be impossible to present as
effectively if they were staged, making imagination a crucial ingredient in the audience's
experience of the play and the play's success. The power of imagination is also demonstrated in
other ways within the play. Henry motivates his troops through his use of language, for example,
inspiring them to imagine themselves as a force to be reckoned with on the battlefield. The
imagination of the governor and townspeople of Harfleur surely played a part in their surrender to
Henry, as his words evoked frightening sights that they found too terrifying to risk experiencing.
The imagination of the Dauphin, as he envisions the silly young Henry V as a weak opponent,
leads him astray, since Henry doesn't meet these expectations.
 Chorus The Dauphin King Henry V Language

Why is the boy's statement at the end of Act 4, Scene 5 of Henry V significant?
At the end of Act 4, Scene 5 the boy observes that "I must stay with the lackeys with the luggage
of our camp. The French might have a good prey of us if he knew of it, for there is none to guard
it but boys." This foreshadows the actual attack on the boys by the French, which is not revealed
to the audience until Scene 7. It also serves to demonstrate that in the desire for victory, Henry V
and the other leaders have pulled all the soldiers into the battle's front lines, without a thought for
how this might leave the boys remaining in the camp unprotected. It might also be reflective of
compromises Queen Elizabeth herself made in order to secure her rule against a wide variety of
threats. Henry's action undercuts the notion that the war is entirely honorable and reveals a flaw
in Henry's strategy.

 Boy King Henry V Conquest

To what does the play attribute the amazing victory of the English in Henry V, and
what other factors might have been involved in this victory historically?
The play seems to attribute the miraculous victory to several factors. First the overconfidence of
the French, who are constantly seen as boasting far beyond their ability to act, is evident
throughout the play. Their arrogance results in poor preparation, and all of their claims of
strength are shown to be simply bragging, not based in reality. Another factor that comes through
clearly is the gritty determination of Henry V and his men, and, of course, Henry's inspiring
leadership. The play also suggests that the English had God on their side, and was assisted in
the victory by God. Since the English victory against the French, despite the English being
outnumbered, is a matter of history, there may be truth in the claims made by the play. Certainly
poor leadership on the part of the French played a role. Differences in weaponry and strategy
also certainly played a role. Scholars believe that the large number of archers in Henry's army
may have also contributed to the victory and to the low number of English casualties.

 King Henry V Kingship Conquest

In Act 4, Scene 6 of Henry V how does the Duke of Exeter's account of York's and
Suffolk's deaths challenge the traditional idea men in battle must be emotionless?
The Duke of Exeter describes, in great detail, how the Earl of Suffolk and the Duke of York die
near each other on the battlefield. While the story certainly emphasizes the notion of a manly
death in battle, it also suggests a more emotional experience. The fact that Exeter cries and
Henry nearly does in response to the story challenges the stereotype of the tough, unemotional
soldier. The affectionate death scene of these two men moves Exeter to tears, prompting him to
describe his reaction as "the pretty and sweet manner of it forced/Those waters from which I
would have stopped,/But I had not so much of man in me." Henry, too, says his eyes are full of
tears at the story. The Duke of Exeter describes the death scene, a Greco-Roman device
designed to evoke fear and pity in the audience according to the Aristotelian classic form of
tragedy, as having a "pretty and sweet manner," as York takes Suffolk "by the beard" and "kisses
the gashes/That bloodily did yawn upon his face." This description is unusual because it shows a
moment of closeness and warmth between men rather than one of bloodless determination and
stalwart heroism.

 King Henry V Duke of Exeter Duke of York Earl of Suffolk

In Henry V what strategies does Henry V use to woo a reluctant Katherine?

Katherine seems lukewarm to Henry's wooing, asking him "Is it possible dat I sould love de
enemy of/France?" and resisting giving anything stronger than her compliance with her father's
wishes as her motivation for agreeing to marry Henry. However, he employs a similar strategy
with her as he used on his men when he sought to appeal to their sense of being united in some
common cause: "you and I cannot be confined/within the weak list of a country's fashion." Just as
he called his men "friends," he sets her apart and brings her into his special regard by saying
"you and I." At the same time Henry points out the political benefits that marrying him would bring
to Katherine as if he is in a military negotiation, reminding her that he is already the conqueror of
France: "When France is mine and I am yours, then yours is France and you are mine."

In Henry V how does each man's memory of the past affect the action of Henry V, the
Dauphin, and the king of France?
Ties to the past are unusually strong in Henry V, since it is the culmination of a tetralogy, or set of
four interconnected plays, which portrays an important span of England's history. Henry V
himself is haunted by the fact that his father usurped the throne from Richard II. His memory of
his father's dying words strongly influences his own actions as king. His father advised Henry to
seek foreign quarrels as a way to unite the country and told him of his sense that he never fully
gained God's favor. Both statements become powerful motivators for Henry V's invasion of
France. The Dauphin's memory of Henry's past behavior when he spent time in taverns with low-
life characters like Falstaff affects how he views the new king, causing him to see Henry as still
being a foolish youth. This error on the Dauphin's part leads to a lack of seriousness in the
French military response to Henry's forces. Charles VI's ties to the past go back farther than
Henry's youth, to the defeat of the French at the hands of Henry V's ancestors. This makes
Charles VI take the young King Henry more seriously than his son does.
 King of France King Henry V The Dauphin Conquest Kingship

In Henry V, in what ways has Henry V left or not left his youthful ways behind him?
The archbishop of Canterbury and the bishop of Ely begin Henry V by discussing the newly
crowned Henry V. Their opinion is that he has indeed, quite suddenly, left his wild behavior of his
youth behind, changing miraculously into a noble king: "The breath no sooner left his father's
body/But that his wildness, mortified in him,/Seemed to die too." Yet the question of how much
Henry V has actually changed versus how much he has appeared to change is an important one.
On one hand, Henry V's behavior in Henry IV, Part 1 and Part 2 suggests that Henry was always
serious, and only acted wild in order to make his eventual transformation into a noble king seem
the more miraculous. In Henry V he may be continuing this strategy. The play demonstrates
repeatedly that Henry is very aware of how he appears to others and works hard to manipulate
appearances to his advantage, a skill he was unlikely to acquire overnight. In Henry V the trick
Henry plays on Williams seems to have a little of Prince Hal in it. It involves mistaken identity as
Henry hides who he really is from Williams, and is orchestrated by Henry primarily for his own
amusement; there is little to gain otherwise as a result of his trick. Furthermore, the obvious glee
with which Henry allows the trick to continue and develop over a long time has more than a hint
of the shenanigans of Henry and Falstaff during Henry's tavern days.
 Archbishop of Canterbury Bishop of Ely King Henry V Williams Falstaff Kingship Sir Thomas's Cloak

How do the first lines of Act 1, Scene 1 in Henry V serve to establish tone and
character motivation in the play?
The first lines of Act 1, Scene 1 set the tone for the action later in the play, specifically Henry V's
invasion of France. The archbishop of Canterbury opens the play by discussing a financial
problem with the bishop of Ely: "My lord, I'll tell you that self bill is urged ... If it pass against
us,/We lose the better half of our possession." The bill in question would allow the king to take
land that was given to the Church to pay for his additional expenses. Although Henry's other
motives for invading France take center stage later in the play—his desire to appear as a unifier
and ideal king before his people, for example—it should not be forgotten that the motivation of
the churchmen in suggesting taking over France was originally to protect their own financial
assets. Based on the way the play opens, Henry's invasion of France seems motivated by his
need to take what is not his own in order to gain more wealth. This serves to provide conflicting
and complex motives for the war that throw Henry's true motives into question. Henry's outrage
at the insulting tennis balls sent by the Dauphin in the next scene appears to cement his desire to
invade France, for example, but perhaps the incident merely provides a convenient excuse for
Henry to invade France for exactly the reasons the churchmen proposed. This also allows the
petty thievery of Pistol, Bardolph, and Nym to provide commentary on Henry's war, suggesting it
is simply thievery on a larger scale.

 Archbishop of Canterbury Bishop of Ely King Henry V Pistol Bardolph Nym Conquest Kingship

Why does the chorus characterize England as a "little body with a mighty heart" in
Act 2, Prologue in Henry V?
In Henry V the chorus always characterizes England and its king in the most flattering way
possible. This image of England as a "little body with a mighty heart" is also a flattering one,
suggesting that England is both stronger than it might seem and that its mighty heart makes it
superior to other nations larger than it is. Also if as a "boy" England has this might, then what
might be said of England when it grows up to be a "man," suggesting the biblical parallel of David
and Goliath? There are two specific ways that the description "little body with a mighty heart"
applies to England in this play. First, it is a small island nation, yet wields military strength that
seems disproportionate to its size. Its king is ambitious, and its soldiers fight valiantly. Second,
England, despite its "little body" does attempt to, and succeeds at, conquering France with only
one-quarter of its available soldiers fighting against the much larger French army. The chorus's
simile suggests that appearances are deceiving, and that England's "mighty heart," in the form of
the nation's bravery, strength, and determination, is responsible for this victory.
 Chorus Conquest

Why does Shakespeare include multiple references to dogs in Act 1, Scene 2

of Henry V?
In Act 1, Scene 2 Pistol calls Nym an "Iceland dog," which is a breed known for its bad temper; a
"prick-eared cur"; an "egregious dog"; and a "hound of Crete," a type of hunting dog. These
references are intended as insults, for dogs are not considered noble and dignified when
compared to other animals, such as horses. Dogs are scruffy scavengers and fighters. These
references, though directed at Nym, are used by Shakespeare to characterize all of the
Eastcheap tavern men as low-life scavengers and thieves. They, like dogs, are quick to quarrel
and fight, as demonstrated in the scene. The references to dogs in this scene are recalled in the
next one, as Henry V compares the three traitors to dogs that would turn on their master and bite
him.
 Pistol Nym

Why does Henry V use words such as "inhuman," "devils," and "demon" to accuse
the three traitors in Act 2, Scene 2 of Henry V?
At the time, a powerful political doctrine called the Divine Right of Kings taught that the king of
England was specifically chosen by God to rule over the people. This made every offense
against the king also an offense directly against God's will for the nation. Lord Scroop, Sir
Thomas Grey, and the Earl of Cambridge have plotted secretly to assassinate Henry V. So in Act
2, Scene 2 he accuses the three traitors not just of being traitors to the nation, or against himself,
but actually inhuman monsters who were sent by the devil to do harm to England and oppose
God's will. In fact Henry likens their treachery to the biblical "fall of man," in which Adam and Eve
disobeyed God. This disobedience became the root of all human sin.

 King Henry V Lord Scroop Sir Thomas Grey Earl of Cambridge Kingship Language

In Act 2, Scene 4 of Henry V, how do Charles VI's words about Henry V differ from
Charles VI's actions toward Henry V?
Charles VI seems to take Henry V seriously, advising that they should "fear/The native
mightiness and fate of him." This suggests that the king will mount a strong defense, and quickly,
if Henry makes any move. Yet Charles VI's actions in response to Henry V are not quick nor do
they form a powerful defense. Even after the threats that the Duke of Exeter brings from Henry V,
and the revelation that Henry V is already on French soil, Charles VI opts to delay, saying that he
will think about the situation, then give his answer. Later at Harfleur, we learn that the king and
the Dauphin have not sent adequate help to defend the town. So while Charles VI seems to
consider Henry a real threat, he fails to take action against him, proving to be a weak and
indecisive king. In contrast Henry seems to be decisive and strong.

 King Henry V King of France The Dauphin Kingship

In Act 3, Scene 1 of Henry V how does Henry V's victory at Harfleur reflect his
military tactics?
The surrender of the town of Harfleur reveals that Henry V's military success is part physical
might and part verbal might. Henry's speech to his own men in Act 3, Scene 1, shows his
mastery over language and his ability to use words, images, and ideas to motivate people to do
what he asks. His siege of the town and breach of its walls demonstrate that he is able to use the
traditional physical methods of wearing down an enemy. His verbal intimidation, through terrible
images of what the consequences of resisting the English would be (including rape and
slaughter), shows again that words are as much a part of Henry's toolbox as bows, arrows, and
swords. Through the scene at Harfleur, Shakespeare shows Henry's combination of brute
strength and verbal skill and how he applies them to the "game" of war. In this the Italian
Renaissance is reflected in English monarchy, as the city-states of Italy were ruled by
ruthless Signori well-versed not only in the arts of war but also in the arts of negotiation and
diplomacy, which requires a solid education and literacy.
 King Henry V Conquest Language Kingship

Of what significance is the French princess, Katherine, in Henry V?

Women are few and far between in Henry V, but of the four who have a role, Katherine is the
most important to the plot. She is first introduced as part of the negotiations between the French
and Henry V, and later becomes part of Henry's demands after his victory. Her role seems
primarily to give Henry a tidy ending, with a marriage that unites France and England and
provides an heir for Henry V. Despite the fact that she is treated more as property and the means
to an heir than as a person, Shakespeare manages to make her likable, funny, and strong in her
own way. Her scenes with Alice are playful and funny, providing needed comic relief in the midst
of a serious and violent play. Her use of good French and poor English develops the important
theme of language, and allows Shakespeare to work in a few dirty jokes in the process. And her
refusal to fall for Henry's romantic wooing in the final scene shows her to be a practical yet
assertive young woman. This portrayal contrasts with the far more tragic Katherine who violently
rejects the murderer of her husband in Richard III only to become a hollow representation of a
queen as completely corrupted by Richard.
 King Henry V Katherine Conquest Language

In Act 3, Scene 5 of Henry V how do images of heat and cold characterize the two
armies and help explain the mocking attitude of the French women?
The Constable begins using imagery of temperature and weather by wondering how the English,
who are from such a chilly, sunless climate, are able to "decoct their cold blood to such valiant
heat." In contrast he describes the French as "frosty" and "roping icicles." This suggests that the
French fight sluggishly, like the elderly, while the English fight with youthful passion and fire. This
imagery of hot versus cold also lends itself to a sexual interpretation, and so it gives rise to the
Dauphin's complaint that the French women are threatening to sleep with the "hot" English
soldiers in order to make sure their children are valiant warriors.

Why does Shakespeare include Queen Isabel in the negotiations at the end of Henry
V?
Queen Isabel's role is a small one, and is often cut from performances of the play entirely.
However, as a woman and a mother, her role is unique. She gently rebukes Henry's
warmongering (referring to the way Henry's eyes contained "the fatal balls of murdering
basilisks"), while asking for peace, saying she hopes this day "shall change all griefs and
quarrels into love," suggesting the imagery of the warring Mars versus the loving Venus. A
recurring image in the play is the suffering of women and children (who are either in areas where
there is battle or who are left at home as the men go to war), so using a mother to bring attention
to the need for peace seems appropriate.

What makes King Henry V angry for the first time since he came to France?
The French will not come down from the hill to engage in battle

What kind of a king is Henry the 5th in the play?

Shakespeare's Henry V is a is an intelligent, focused, and inspirational leader; he was a great

King but sometimes made poort decisions. As a king, Henry is both heroic and ruthless.
Kings often have to do things that aren't popular...... even when they're good kings.

What happens between Fluellen and Macmorris in Henry V?

Captain Macmorris and Captain Jamy enter and Fluellen offers Macmorris (whom he scorns)
advice. They get into a quarrel, but end it since they realize there is a real battle going on.

They are besieged and Macmorris and Jamy are under great pressure. When Fluellen attempts
to give them advice and point out the obvious problems with the situation Macmorris takes
great offense........ to which Fluellen takes great offense.