Henry V

The plot of Henry V concerns the English invasion of France in 1414-1420. The narrative is driven by war, while success in war vindicates the rise of Henry as a King and as a man. The warring nobles, especially the feud between Henry and the Dauphin, drive the war-themed narrative arc of the play, but characters such as Fluellen, Pistol, and Katherine provide nuanced perspectives on the realities of war. These scenes are essential in portraying the war on stage, where the actual battles can only be suggested. They also show that William Shakespeare’s play focuses on human interest: War in the play is not an exercise in historical or tactical fact but an exploration of human difference, identity, collaboration, and reconciliation.

Henry’s war is a war of national and personal conquest, a way of putting his reckless youth behind him and showing the world that he (and his country) demand to be taken seriously. Henry’s feud with the Dauphin makes explicit the linking of his personal and kingly honor: The conquest of France is the test of Henry’s new mature character and his fitness to be king.