Structural Nuances in Shakespeare's 'Henry V'

There are three basic parts of any good story. Rising action, a climax, and a resolution or falling action. This structure is the base of any well developed story. William Shakespeare, as history’s best author, is an impeccable expert at developing literature masterpieces. When adapting historical events for the stage certain liabilities must be taken. For instance not every detail can be included in a three hour play. Even then, an audience requires a comedic break from the dramatic action. Though some comedic parts might be added in, Henry V is a true account of the events that occurred prior to and following the Battle of Agincourt. Shakespeare’s decisions to structure the play how he did effect the structure, meaning and effect of the

play in a positive way. The beginning, famous speech, and ending of Shakespeare’s Henry V drive the plot, ensue a deeper meaning, and captivate an audience.
Henry V begins with a prologue delivered by the chorus asking the audience to use their imagination “And let us ciphers to this great accompt, on your imaginary forces work,” (Prologue). The chorus asks the audience to remember that the play makers are limited in their ability to portray the events as they happened. Through this request, Shakespeare is able to maintain the grandeur, and legend of these historical events. The battles and events presented in Henry V became immortalized for the people of England. Shakespeare's acknowledgement of their inability to do the events justice preserves the importance of the events. “ By starting with the chorus, Shakespeare is also able to remind the audience where we left off from the last installment of King Henry history. Act one opens with two of Henry’s advisors discussing political issues. In the midst of their conversation they discuss Henry V drastic turnaround from the immature prince he was. “But that his wildness, mortified in him,/ Seem’d to die too; yea, at that very moment… Never was such a sudden scholar made; never came reformation in a flood,” (Act 1, Scene 1). Canterbury explains that Henry V matured with the death of his father and became very studious and changed almost immediately. Though an important milestone in the story, Shakespeare chooses to omit Henry’s transformation. Portraying his reformation would take away from the focus of the play, Henry’s conquering of France.
Throughout the rest of the play, Shakespeare uses comic, and dramatic scenes to drive the plot, maintain structure, and create meaning within the play.

Though the majority of the play is conversation, Shakespeare keeps everything moving towards the final conflict; the battle at Agincourt. Before the battle Henry delivers some of the most quoted lines from the play in his St. Crispins Day speech. “If we are mark'd to die, we are enow/ To do our country loss; and if to live,/ The fewer men, the greater share of honour,” (Act IV, Scene III). Henry encourages the men by saying that if they die, at least they died fighting for their country. But if they win the glory will be that much sweeter. This speech drives the plot forward by displaying the odds stacked against them and showing the resolve of the British soldiers continuing the plots surge to the climax. It also strikes a chord in the members of the audience creating a sense of pride and accomplishment. It also further reveals the character of Henry. It displays his determination as a leader and explains several of his later actions such as ordering the death of French prisoners. “Besides, we'll cut the throats of those we have,/ And not a man of them that we shall take/ Shall taste our mercy,” (Act IV, Scene VII). During the battle, Henry orders his men to cut their prisoners throats after he hears a French alarum. This action coupled with his rousing speech in Scene III further develops Henry’s character and movement away from the immature

prince.
The conclusion of Henry V with the chorus sets up structure for the next play and suggests a deeper meaning through the movement from a comedic/ happy resolution to a tragic resolution. After the final scene, the agreement on the peace treaty between England and France, the chorus is sent out to deliver a morbid epilogue. Instead of dwelling on the courageous events that just occurred, the chorus concentrates on the events that followed in history. “Whose state so many had the managing,/ That they lost France and made his England bleed:/ Which oft our stage hath shown; and, for their sake,/ In your fair minds let this acceptance take,” (Epilogue). The chorus states that eventually, Henry VI lost France and hurt England, so for the sake of the story they just told, and the historical people, the chorus asks the audience to remember this. By ending the play in this way Shakespeare sums up the events of the play and looks forward. He reminds the audience that the story he just told is simply a victory in a larger story of defeat. The epilogue can also be interpreted to be Shakespeare’s reminder that all great empires fall eventually. It could also be Shakespeare’s remembrance that it isn’t the end of the story. Through the epilogue, Shakespeare takes what would be a happy ending and transforms it into a tragic one by reminding the audience of the events to perspire within the story.
The omissions and additions Shakespeare chose in Henry V elevate the play from an account of historical events to a work of art that challenges audiences to move beyond the glorification of great events. The omission of Henry’s transformation allows the concentration of the play to shift to the events leading up to and following the battle of Agincourt. The chorus also sets the stage with a sense of wonder and excitement. Henry’s famous speech further embodies the remembrance of events but connected with his actions during the battle, call into question the morality of Henry’s actions. Was Henry justified in being so harsh to his men and prisoners? The beginning and ending of the play with the chorus would calls up images of other great epics such as The Iliad or The Odyssey. This would strike a chord of national pride in the hearts of English audiences. However, the epilogue of Henry V also begs questions pertaining to a powerful nation and the extent of their reach. Shakespeare reminds the audience that all great nations eventually fall. This forces audiences to make connections and wonder about the current world around them. By making the decisions he does concerning structure, Shakespeare is able to create a play that honors a triumphant moment in history while calling into question current issues.