Henry V scenes

3.5 — French complaint

the English are but “Bastard Normans”

why is the placement of 3.5 immediately after Katherine’s English lesson scene significant?

• they are in the midst of an ethnic battle between the English and French

• the whole thing is revolving around the “degredation” of the French line by Edward II when he married Isabella, who gave birth to a “bastard Norman”

  • yet, they were about to have Katherine do the same thing (gift her to Henry so as to placate him)

4.1 — what specifically does Williams say?

• Williams expresses doubt that the war will be successful

• says it’s because he thinks Henry is “a man as I am” — he’s afraid

• not-Henry: “oh I think you’re wrong”

• random soldier: “I wish he were here alone, so our lives could be spared

• Williams: “if we die, it’s the King’s fault; so, our blood is on his hands”

  • no purgatory — very Protestant belief (Welsh)

• not-Henry: “nah, it’s like if a son were to get swept up by the sea after his father sent him out there on an errand. Could you blame the father?”

  • basically, he’s saying that the soldiers are doing this of their own volition because they are loyal to the King

• group assent, were loyal

• not-Henry: “I heard that the King’s not going to be ransomed”

• Williams: “bullshit”

• not-Henry: “If that’s true, I’ll never trust him again”

  • danger Will Robinson

• Williams: “We kind of have no choice though…”

  • and he’s right

• now they’re going to brawl

5.2 — summary

5 years later. Negotiations (mediated by the Roman Emperor). Henry wants to take everything, Katherine being at the top of the list. Diversion: Go over there, look over the papers and sign them; meanwhile, Henry kisses Katherine (oh no, her purity is gone). When her dad walks back in, he realizes that Henry’s “stolen France through Katherine” (hella dodgy Shakespeare).

2 notes about 5.2

1. The French and English enter from opposite sides during stage productions (symbolic)

2. The Chorus also already told us that Katherine was offered to Henry 5 years ago, and he declined — so obviously she’s not the most important thing for Henry