Henry V

Guide Note

Henry V is a classic history play by William Shakespeare. Believed to have been written in 1599, the play is dramatization of the life of King Henry V of England and focuses on the events that occurred immediately before and after the Battle of Agincourt. The play is the fourth in tetralogy, preceded by Richard II, Henry IV, Part I and Henry VI, Part II.

The play has been adapted for film twice - once by Laurence Olivier in 1944 and a second time by Kenneth Branagh in 1989. The play is famous for its pre-battle rallying speeches including its St. Crispin's Day and "One more unto the breech..." speeches.

Fast Facts

1. Written: 1599
2. Primary source: Raphael Holinshed's Chronicles
3. Entered into Stationers' Register: August 14, 1600 by bookseller Thomas Pavier
4. First play performed at the new Globe Theatre (per tradition)
5. First performance: January 7, 1605 - at Court
6. Ran for 54 performances on Broadway in 1900
7. Main Characters:
   1. King Henry V
   2. The King of France
   3. Katharine
   4. Fluellen
8. Famous Speeches:
   1. O for a Muse of Fire,...
   2. We are glad the Dauphin is so pleasant with us...
   3. Once more unto the breach, dear friends...
   4. St. Crispin's Day Speech
9. Famous Quotes:
   1. All hell shall stir for this.
   2. Once more unto the breach, dear friends...
   3. We few, we happy few, we band of brothers...
   4. Cry 'God for Harry, England, and Saint George!'
   5. And sheathed their swords for lack of argument.

• This day is called the Feast of Crispian:
• He that outlives this day, and comes safe home,
• Will stand a-tiptoe when the day is named,
• And rouse him at the name of Crispian.
• He that shall see this day and live t'old age,
• Will yearly on the vigil feast his neighbours,
• And say "To-morrow is Saint Crispian":
• Then will he strip his sleeve and show his scars
• And say "These wounds I had on Crispin's day."
• Old men forget: yet all shall be forgot,
• But he'll remember with advantages
• What feats he did that day. Then shall our names,
• Familiar in his mouth as household words
• Harry the King, Bedford and Exeter,
• Warwick and Talbot, Salisbury and Gloucester,
• Be in their flowing cups freshly remembered.
• This story shall the good man teach his son;
• And Crispin Crispian shall ne'er go by,
• From this day to the ending of the world,
• But we in it shall be remembered;
• We few, we happy few, we band of brothers;
• For he today that sheds his blood with me
• Shall be my brother; be he ne'er so vile,
• This day shall gentle his condition:
• And gentlemen in England now abed
• Shall think themselves accursed they were not here,
• And hold their manhoods cheap whiles any speaks
• That fought with us upon Saint Crispin's day.