Henry V, the “mirror of all Christian kings.” The play Henry V, a spectacle of nationalistic spirit and dramatic history. In this class, we will look at the historical Henry V and Shakespeare’s rendering of him for the Elizabethan stage. We will look at England in Henry’s time and in Shakespeare’s, the genre of the history play, the Tudor “problem,” and the sources for the play. But the play’s the thing, so we will allow ourselves to be audience to an accommodating, slightly manipulative chorus; the “warlike Harry” at Harfleur and Agincourt; the shenanigans of the Eastcheap crowd; and the silver-tongued Henry as he woos his bride. And of course, even though not in the play, a tip of the tankard to Sir John Falstaff!
((Rebecca Carpenter - Wednesday - In-Person))
