Wed., Feb. 7 Reflective Exercise
- Read a classmate’s summary of the article that you wrote about, and write below any points that you found particularly noteworthy and/or any questions that you have about the article.
Murphy talks about the Chorus and how they influence the crowd. He says the chorus provides inputs and reactions. He says they set the tone of the play.
- Read a classmate’s summary of the article that you did not read, and write below any points that you found particularly noteworthy and/or any questions that you have about the article.
Joseph was talking about how there are two ways to look at King Henry V. The two views where he was representing the ideal Christian king fighting for a just cause, and advancing in his own interests. And then compares Henry to a hero or antihero. Joe also says that Henry V is an extension character from Henry IV and says that Henry V is just another manipulative ruler.
- Having reviewed these two articles, and having read the play, what do you think the play suggests about early modern English views of this famous king?
I think there are two ways to look at Henry. I think you can look at him as a bad ruler who makes unjustified decisions or you can dive deeper and make exceptions to those decisions and paint a nicer picture of Henry. You could point out the emotion in the play and how he relates to the viewers and how Shakespeare broke down his character to make him seem more relatable.
- What are some of the scenes in the play that you think provide the most interesting insights into views of kings during this time—and why?
There are a couple scenes that come to mind that bring insight to kings during this time. When King Henry V shows mercy and does not kill the men, who went behind his back and schemed with France. The battle scene where he executes the prisoners at a moment’s notice. The parts where Henry was acting as a commoner and soldier by the campfire to hide his identity to talk to the men. These are interesting to me because they each show different ways a king would act at this time. There are different ways Henry acts in this play that covers many ways kings have ruled.
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