A Chorus of Vitality in Henry V
ENGL 333: Shakespeare
Professor Jennifer D.
15 November 2012
A Chorus of Vitality in Henry V William Shakespeare’s Henry V is a work that has been read and reprinted an innumerable amount of times ever since its first edition around 1600. One may then conclude that this is an excellent work not just to read but to see performed and they would be correct. There have been many adaptations of Shakespeare 's works throughout history and his drama Henry V is no exception. Why is this such a great work? What makes it different from Shakespeare’s other plays? How can we still read this work in todays world and find enjoyment from something that was written centuries ago? Shakespeare was a master writer and what makes most if not all of his works so good is the use of timeless themes that still apply today. Themes such as power, friendship, and honor can be seen in many of his works including Henry V. However, the thing that really makes Henry V so fantastic is not a theme but a character, and that Character is the Chorus. In Shakespeare’s Henry V the Chorus plays a vital role to the audience by giving historical content, stage set up, and explaining the passage of time, which makes the Chorus one of the most important characters in the play. Before any of Shakespeare’s works were published they were first performed in a theatre for a live audience. There were many different theatre’s during Shakespeare’s time because the theatre was considered a main source of entertainment. Theatre’s were places where men and women of varying social ranks could come together and enjoy a good comedy, tragedy, or drama such as Henry V. Even Kings and Queens attended the theatre, but they would attend a specific theatre named Whitehall, which was built for people of royalty and of noble birth. So why is the Chorus such a big deal in Henry V? The Chorus is such an important aspect to this play because of several things. First, the Chorus tells the audience historical content related
Professor Jennifer D.
15 November 2012
A Chorus of Vitality in Henry V William Shakespeare’s Henry V is a work that has been read and reprinted an innumerable amount of times ever since its first edition around 1600. One may then conclude that this is an excellent work not just to read but to see performed and they would be correct. There have been many adaptations of Shakespeare 's works throughout history and his drama Henry V is no exception. Why is this such a great work? What makes it different from Shakespeare’s other plays? How can we still read this work in todays world and find enjoyment from something that was written centuries ago? Shakespeare was a master writer and what makes most if not all of his works so good is the use of timeless themes that still apply today. Themes such as power, friendship, and honor can be seen in many of his works including Henry V. However, the thing that really makes Henry V so fantastic is not a theme but a character, and that Character is the Chorus. In Shakespeare’s Henry V the Chorus plays a vital role to the audience by giving historical content, stage set up, and explaining the passage of time, which makes the Chorus one of the most important characters in the play. Before any of Shakespeare’s works were published they were first performed in a theatre for a live audience. There were many different theatre’s during Shakespeare’s time because the theatre was considered a main source of entertainment. Theatre’s were places where men and women of varying social ranks could come together and enjoy a good comedy, tragedy, or drama such as Henry V. Even Kings and Queens attended the theatre, but they would attend a specific theatre named Whitehall, which was built for people of royalty and of noble birth. So why is the Chorus such a big deal in Henry V? The Chorus is such an important aspect to this play because of several things. First, the Chorus tells the audience historical content related
Cited: Shakespeare, William. Henry V. Ed. Gary Taylor. Oxford: Clarendon, 1982. Print. The Oxford Shakespeare.