Literary Devices in Henry V
Symbolism, Imagery, Allegory
Setting
LocationThe play begins in England, but shifts to France in Act 2, Scene 4, where the rest of the play takes place. Much of the diplomatic action occurs in the English and French palaces, where kin...
Genre
Literary critics refer to Henry V as a "history play," a genre that portrays English historical events (well, history according to Shakespeare) that resonate with current political issues, includin...
Tone
Henry V is a war play, so when we ask about its tone (the play or author's attitude toward its subject matter), what we're really asking is this: What's the play's attitude toward war? Specifically...
Writing Style
Like most of Shakespeare's plays. Henry V is written in a combination of verse (poetry) and prose (how we talk every day). For kicks, Shakespeare also writes some of the scenes in French. (Don't wo...
What's Up With the Title?
Yep, you guessed it. Henry V is all about the famous English monarch... King Henry V. Brain Snack: The first time the play was printed (in the first quarto of 1600), the publishers got fancy and ga...
What's Up With the Ending?
By the end of the play, King Henry has pretty much checked off everything on his short "To Do" list. Recall that his "To Do" list looked something like this:1. Demolish the French army: Check. Henr...
Tough-o-Meter
If you're reading this, then you've probably already made it past the first three plays in the tetralogy: Richard II, Henry IV Part 1, and Henry IV Part 2. (Nice job, Shmoopster.) Here's some good...
Plot Analysis
Henry is thinking of making a claim to the French throne.Now that Henry V has settled in as the King of England, he needs some excitement in his life. Plus, he's always wanted a vacation house in F...
Booker's Seven Basic Plots Analysis
If we trace Henry V's trajectory over the course of all three Henry plays, then we can see how his is a classic "Rebirth" story.Wild Prince Hal is portrayed as a reckless teenager. (Henry IV Part...
Three-Act Plot Analysis
Henry decides to invade France.Henry's troops face a likely defeat at Agincourt.Against all odds, Henry's army is victorious at Agincourt. Henry forces the King of France to name his as his heir an...
Trivia
In the Reduced Shakespeare Company's "Tweeting Shakespeare" project, Henry V is summarized as follows: "A king's gotta do what a king's gotta do" (source).In a May 2011 Vanity Fair article, Shakesp...
Steaminess Rating
We all know that Shakespeare is the master of the dirty joke and lewd innuendo. In Henry V, our favorite playwright ups his game by taking an opportunity to teach his (original) English speaking au...
Allusions
Chronicles, Volume III by R. Holinshed (1587)The Famous Victories of Henry V (anonymous play)The Union of the Two Illustrious Families of Lancaster and York by Edward Hall (published 1542)King Henr...