Henry V Act 3 Scene 1

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The night before the battle, Henry appeals to the troops with this rousing speech.

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Henry V Act 4 Scene 4

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Pistol discovers an injured French soldier and spots an opportunity to make some money…

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Pistol and the French Soldier

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In rehearsal - watch the actors begin a run-through of Act 4 Scene 4. Michael stops them to give Nick a note about Pistol's mood.

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  • What makes Henry V relevant to today's audience?
  • In Richard II, Shakespeare sets up the idea that England is becoming fragmented. Is this resolved by Henry V?
  • How much is Shakespeare expecting us to identify with and love Henry?
  • You have not gone for the comparison with the Iraq 'dodgy dossier' - have you turned your back on this obvious topicality?
  • Why have you chosen to portray the French in this non-naturalistic way, as exotic peacocks?
  • How does your choice of setting affect the way you're staging the military action?
  • Why does the Chorus make us aware that we're an audience watching a play in a theatre?
  • How do you think Henry feels when he delivers the St Crispin's Day speech?
  • It could be said that Shakespeare is conservative. How do you respond to that?
  • What do you think Henry thinks about the Archbishop's argument at the start of the play?
  • Did you have a vision for directing the History Cycle?
  • In Henry V, Shakespeare examines English identity. Was this more relevant in Shakespeare's day, rather than the time the play is set?
  • Is there an analogy in Henry V with immigration in the UK now?
  • Is it necessary to have an understanding of Hal's background in the previous plays to fully appreciate his emergence as a flawed hero in Henry V?

What makes Henry V relevant to today's audience?

Act and Scene
Credit
RSC
Date
07/11/07
Copyright
© RSC 2007

How much is Shakespeare expecting us to identify with and love Henry?

Act and Scene
Credit
RSC
Date
07/11/07
Copyright
© RSC 2007

Why have you chosen to portray the French in this non-naturalistic way, as exotic peacocks?

Act and Scene
Credit
RSC
Date
07/11/07
Copyright
© RSC 2007

How does your choice of setting affect the way you're staging the military action?

Act and Scene
Credit
RSC
Date
07/11/07
Copyright
© RSC 2007

Why does the Chorus make us aware that we're an audience watching a play in a theatre?

Act and Scene
Credit
RSC
Date
07/11/07
Copyright
© RSC 2007

How do you think Henry feels when he delivers the St Crispin's Day speech?

Act and Scene
Credit
RSC
Date
07/11/07
Copyright
© RSC 2007

It could be said that Shakespeare is conservative. How do you respond to that?

Act and Scene
Credit
RSC
Date
07/11/07
Copyright
© RSC 2007

What do you think Henry thinks about the Archbishop's argument at the start of the play?

Act and Scene
Credit
RSC
Date
07/11/07
Copyright
© RSC 2007

Did you have a vision for directing the History Cycle?

Act and Scene
Credit
RSC
Date
07/11/07
Copyright
© RSC 2007

Is there an analogy in Henry V with immigration in the UK now?

Act and Scene
Credit
RSC
Date
07/11/07
Copyright
© RSC 2007

These clips are taken from a recording of the Director Talk public event on 7 November 2007 in the Courtyard Theatre. Interview by Paul Allen.

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