Like most of Shakespeare’s plays, Henry V exists in
two different early printed versions: the Folio version of 1623 and
an earlier Quarto version. There are many differences between the
two versions, the most important of which involve the assignment
of the speeches of Westmorland, Warwick, the Dauphin, and Bourbon.
Additionally, the character called Clarence in the Quarto is called
Bedford in the Folio.
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King Henry V
The
young, recently crowned king of England. Henry is brilliant, focused,
fearless, and committed to the responsibilities of kingship. These
responsibilities often force him to place his personal feelings
second to the needs of the crown. Henry is a brilliant orator who uses
his skill to justify his claims and to motivate his troops. Once
Henry has resolved to conquer France, he pursues his goal relentlessly
to the end.
Read an
in-depth analysis of King Henry V.
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Chorus
A
single character who introduces each of the play’s five acts. Like
the group of singers who comprised the chorus in Greek drama, the
Chorus in Henry V functions as a narrator offering commentary on
the play’s plot and themes.
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The Dukes of Exeter, Westmorland, Salisbury,
and Warwick
Trusted advisors to King
Henry and the leaders of his military. The Duke of Exeter, who is
also Henry’s uncle, is entrusted with carrying important messages
to the French king.
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The Dukes of Clarence, Bedford, and Gloucester
Henry’s three younger brothers.
Clarence,
Bedford, and Gloucester are noblemen and fighters.
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The Archbishop of Canterbury and the Bishop
of Ely
Wealthy and powerful English
clergymen. The Archbishop of Canterbury and the Bishop of Ely do
not go to fight in the war, but their urging and fund-raising are
important factors in Henry’s initial decision to invade France.
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Cambridge, Scrope, and Grey Three conspirators
against King Henry.
Cambridge, Scrope,
and Grey are bribed by French agents to kill Henry before he sets
sail for France. Scrope’s betrayal of his king is particularly surprising,
as Scrope and Henry are good friends.
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York and Suffolk
Two noble cousins who die together at the Battle
of Agincourt.
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The King of France Charles VI.
A capable leader, Charles does not underestimate
King Henry, as his son, the Dauphin, does.
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Isabel
The
queen of France, married to Charles VI. Isabel does not appear until
the final scene (V.ii), in which her daughter, Catherine, is betrothed
to King Henry.
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The Dauphin
The
son of the king of France and heir to the throne (until Henry takes
this privilege from him). The Dauphin is a headstrong and overconfident
young man, more inclined to mock the English than to make preparations
to fight them. He also mocks Henry, making frequent mention of the
king’s irresponsible youth.
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Catherine
The
daughter of the king of France. Catherine is eventually married
off to King Henry in order to cement the peace between England and
France. She speaks little English.
Read an
in-depth analysis of Catherine.
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French noblemen and military leaders
The Constable of France, the Duke of Orléans, the
Duke of Britain, the Duke of Bourbon, the Earl of Grandpré, Lord Rambures,
the Duke of Burgundy, and the Governor of Harfleur are French noblemen
and military leaders. Most of them are killed or captured by the
English at the Battle of Agincourt, though the Duke of Burgundy survives
to help with the peace negotiations between France and England.
Like the Dauphin, most of these leaders are more interested in making
jokes about the English than in taking them seriously as a fighting force,
a tendency that leads to the eventual French defeat at Agincourt.
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Sir Thomas Erpingham
A wise, aged veteran of many wars who serves with
Henry’s campaign.
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Captain Gower
An
army captain and a capable fighter who serves with Henry’s campaign.
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Captain Fluellen, Captain MacMorris, and
Captain Jamy
The captains of King
Henry’s troops from Wales, Ireland, and Scotland, respectively,
all of whom have heavy accents reflecting their countries of origin. Fluellen,
a close friend of Captain Gower, is the most prominent of the three.
His wordiness provides comic relief, but he is also very likable
and is an intelligent leader and strategist.
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Ancient Pistol
A
commoner from London who serves in the war with Henry, and a friend
of Nim and Bardolph. Pistol speaks with a blustery and melodramatic
poetic diction; he is married to the hostess of the Boar’s Head Tavern
in London.
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Bardolph
A
commoner from London who serves in the war with Henry, and a friend
of Pistol and Nim. Bardolph is a former friend of King Henry from
his wild youth. A thief and a coward, Bardolph is hanged in France
for looting from the conquered towns in violation of the king’s
order.
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Nim
A commoner
from London who serves in the war with Henry, and a friend of Pistol
and Bardolph. Like Bardolph, Nim is hanged in France for looting
from the conquered towns.
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Boy
Formerly
in the service of Falstaff, the nameless boy leaves London after
his master’s death and goes with Pistol, Nim, and Bardolph to the
war in France. The boy is somewhat touchy and embarrassed that his companions
are cowardly thieves.
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Michael Williams, John Bates, and Alexander
Court
Common soldiers with whom King
Henry, disguised, argues the night before the Battle of Agincourt.
Though he argues heatedly with Williams, Henry is generally impressed
with these men’s intelligence and courage.
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Hostess
The
keeper of the Boar’s Head Tavern in London. Mistress Quickly, as
she is also known, is married to Pistol. We hear news of her death
from venereal disease in Act V, scene i.
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Sir John Falstaff
The closest friend and mentor of the young Henry,
back in his wild days. Falstaff doesn’t actually appear in Henry
V, but he is a major figure in the Henry IV plays. He is a jovial
and frequently drunken old knight, but his heart is broken when
Henry breaks his ties with him after becoming king. We hear news
of Falstaff’s offstage death in Act II, scenes i and iii.
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Alice
The
maid of the French princess Catherine. Alice has spent time in England
and teaches Catherine some English, though not very well.
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Montjoy
The
French herald, or messenger.
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Monsieur le Fer
A French soldier and gentleman who is captured by
Pistol at the Battle of Agincourt.
