Shakespeare Explained| We happy few Speech Henry V
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- čas přidán 6. 11. 2020
- In this episode of Shakespeare explained, looks at The We happy few speech, or the Band of Brothers speech, from Henry V is one of the most moving speeches written. Shakespeare's We happy few speech, in his play Henry V, shows the miraculous ability of words to stir up our emotions and desires.
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This video will help you understand exactly what Henry V is saying and the various devices and constructs he employs to turn his men from resignation of defeat to the conviction of victory.
Shakespeare can be and should be enjoyed first. Appreciation for his art will follow naturally. All of this starts by simply understanding what he is saying. Soon you will find his words intoxicating.
The first part of the video takes the We happy few speech line by line. it is found in Henry V act 4 scene 3. in the last 5 minutes we read the speech through fully to capture its majesty.
These videos are intended as shakespeare talks which have shakespeare explained line by line or at least take the study of shakespeare speeches in depth.
The way to understand the bards works is to simply understand what is being said. He wrote for everybody, and though the structure of language has changed, it is still easily understood if you take the small effort to listen to some videos which help to see short speeches of shakespeare explained in depth.
And that is why I have created the Shakespeare explained series. Line by line Shakespeare which will enable you to become so familiar with his words, that you will be able to go away and enjoy the finest literature ever produced in the English language. Once you have discovered William Shakespeare properly, you will wish you had known him all of your life and will roll your eyes when somebody says: Why studyShakespeare?
Please take the time to watch the video all the way through, or save it to watch at a later time.
I would very much like to hear your thoughts on the videos and your own interpretation of Shakespeare and your favourite passages.
Please like and subscribe if you enjoyed this video and come back again for some more of Shakespeare Explained.
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Thank You
Tristan
I came across this speech whilst scrolling through CZcams… I watched/listened to it probably 12 times before stopping, tears rolling down my cheeks all the while. Kenneth Branagh brought such passion, skill, and grandiosity to his performance of this magnificent piece of literature. I came across you sir shortly afterwords, and this in depth analysis and explanation was just as enthralling! Thank you sir, for you and Branagh reignited my interest for literature and Shakespeare 😢
Wow, thank you Katie. What a beautiful thing to say. So pleased you had such a response to the splendour of Shakespeare's language. Our world our dreams our lives are all words, and when we hear them used well it is extraordinary what seismic motions they elicit in our soul.
So delighted for your experience, Katie.
Brannagh is brilliant with Shakespeare. If you want to hear another moving rendition of Shakespeare, try watching Marlon Brando delivering Mark Anthony's 'Friends, Romans, Countrymen' speech. Phenomenal writing, Phenomenal delivery.
People always argue that children will never understand such complex works. I used to play a clip of this speech for my own kids when they were very young. Then one day I stepped out onto the back deck, where two of my boys (then ages 5 and 7) were dividing up GI Joes. The five year old kept giving the 7 year old more GI Joes. The 7 year old kept viewing his brother with great suspicion- then suddenly, a look of “knowing” came over his face, and he said, “Oh, I get it! The fewer men, the greater share of honor, eh?” I almost fell over from astonishment, and I never doubted my children’s capacity for understanding anymore, lol.
That is an amazing anecdote. I love it. Bravo to your boys for appreciating the rhythm and meaning of the great Shakespeare. 👍
I am a US Army vet. Videos like these are why I'm on CZcams. I hardly understood Shakespeare in school but when I re-read this speech after the military I strongly identified with it. Your explanation brought me joy. Thank you Tristan, keep on it and your infectious love of the greatest master of the English language the world ever saw is encouraging!
Thanks for the kind and encouraging words Brennan. Shakespeare really was magnificent. 👍😃
It's funny cause it's a play about politicians manipulating commoners to fight for the politicians financial gain whilst the commoners gain nothing but "honor" lol. Is that what resonated with you?
Well done! I just watched Kenneth Branagh give this rousing speech in his version of, "Henry V." Saw it decades ago on television - perhaps a Saturday afternoon. Remembered him mentioning St. Crispin's Day.
Last night, I finished watching the miniseries, "Band of Brothers," and in the last episode, one of the aged veterans of Easy Company recited, "We few - we happy few - we band of brothers...."
I also have a notebook in the app, Evernote, titled, "The Beauty of Language." I shared this video to that notebook, liked, and subscribed. I had some excellent literature teachers/professors in my school days - and you, sir, rank right with them. Thank you!
It's absolutely magnificent. What a use of the English language. What craft. Thank you William Shakespeare.
I love Kenneth Branagh's interpretation.
A little known bit of history is that evidently Henry V actually said that the day "gentled their condition" and later in his reign when men responded to a summons to war and showed up with coats of arms, the king did not have them struck even though they weren't recognized by the heralds. When told they had fought at Agincourt, the king nodded and turned away, allowing the men to keep their coats of arms because he had said they were gentlemen
Fabulous stuff! Thanks for sharing Anthony. I think there was a nod to this incident in the film A Knights Tale.
Honestly I came here because this speech has become a meme. But this video blew my mind. Thank you, great job.
Wow, thank you! I really appreciate your taking the time to comment.
Tristan, you did a superb job. I discovered the "band of brothers" speech about 20 years ago. I've never heard nor read anything as glorious, as moving & as uplifting as Henry's speech to his troops before the Battle of Agincourt.
Thank you ever so much Tony. You are spot on about the speech. It is pure majesty, isn't it?
No wonder the English won on that day! I feel for the French though. There were the English, led by as heroic a King as one can imagine; meanwhile the French King was back in Paris, wrapped in wool because he thought he was made of glass and might shatter into pieces at any moment. :)
Fantastic job, I learn so much about Shakespeare by watching your videos. This speech is one of the greatest speeches ever.
Now I understand Ambrose calling his book “Band of Brothers “
Aha! precisely. Do you know, I haven't read Ambrose in ages. In fact I'm trying to remember the one book of his that I have read. So, there's another author to add to the list.😀
Tristan, your enthusiasm for the beauty, poetry, and strength of Shakespeare is contagious. As a non-native English speaker, I never had the opportunity to study Shakespeare's work in school or university. However, videos like yours make me want to learn more about his works, beyond the already recognised surface value. Thank you so much for bringing this video on the internets.
You can find a lot of Shakespeare on CZcams or in films. There’s even a newer version of Henry V out on Netflix.
He was equally brilliant at history and romance. My favourite is Twelfth Night & I’m not long back home after seeing a friend in a production in Melbourne.
Shakespeare never grows old.
As I’m a welder from Birkenhead and now nearing retirement education passed me by and I fancied learning all about Shakespeare,,your explanation and love of English language has inspired me to learn more,,thankyou very much and keep up the good work ,cheers Gary👍
Thanks so much for this, Gary. Really appreciate your encouragement and kindness. I hope that you have a great adventure within Shakespeare's plays.
@@tristanandtheclassics6538 I enjoyed English Literature at school mate a long time ago now,,😂 and your enthusiasm and knowledge has inspired me to read more books,,keep up the good work👍👨🏻🎓
Thank you Tristan. Joe Sobran thought this the greatest war propaganda speech of our language. What a wonderful exposition of its meaning and value to us so many years gone.
Thank you for taking the time to post a comment and being so kind, Thomas. I didn't know that Mr Sobran said that. He was a rather highly acclaimed columnist wasn't he. So he knew a thing or two about rhetoric and persuasion.
Shakespeare was something else. Imagine, one person producing all those marvels of language!
i am here to the end and subscribing in case you feel like talking more about Shakespeare. Every time I hear Kenneth Branaugh or Tom Hiddelston give the speech I want to fight the battle of the front yard weeds with great vigor!!
This Speech always gives me Goosebumps. My Gut sweels with a Lump in the Throat.
Being taught this Speech at School, inspired a love of 'The Bard' that's been Life long..! 66yrs Old and it still warms the Cockles of this British Heart..!
Great Video, a Great Description of this Speech.
Thanks.
Cheers All Kim in Oz. 😎
Thanks for sharing!
Very well done! Your explanation of the speech is excellent and your final reading superb. I have recently watched Olivier, Branagh and Rylance do their versions. It’s hard to beat Olivier in any performance and I like the human touch (a bit of humor introduced) of Rylance but my favorite is Branagh. And his mocking rejection of the French courier after the speech is equally great. But your reading, my friend, was rousing and spirited. You should look for a theater company searching for a Henry V!
Dear Tristan.
May Life see you prosperous, healthy and in high honour
by valueing the weight of the well-spoken word,
and keeping Mans great Stories alive in our hearts.
I thank you for the renewed' singing of my heart strings,
to long slacked by the harkening of squalid speech.
I thank you for drivning forth my dedication
to write these very words.
Not half bad for one of Hamlets Helsinore homies
even if I say so myself?
WOW, step aside Shakespeare, Ulrik is in town😀
I don't think I've ever seen such a poetic comment in all my time on CZcams.
Legendary.
It is a spectacular speech isn't it. Genius is an overused word, but it it's pure sense, Shakespeare was a GENIUS with words.
Well done, I did enjoy that. From Perth WA. Greatest speech ever. Most stirring, moving words. I was glad I could follow on my own copy.
You changed me. Thank You!!!!!!!
Wow! Thank you Laura. I hope that the change was pleasant and lasts a long time😀 Shakespeare is known to stir the soul up a bit.
Hey. As a guy who has the reference for this speech ("Henry V, Act IV, Scene iii, 18-67") tattooed on the inside of his right arm, can I say this is a great analysis? I think you do a fantastic job of explaining why it's so moving and powerful.
Two thoughts: 1) I've always wondered what "with advantages" is doing in the speech. Kenneth Branagh (whose version I know best) just kinda throws it away, as do most people, but I just saw Mark Rylance's video, shot at the Globe, and he makes it a joking aside, suggesting that not only will you tell this amazing story, but it will get bigger each time you tell it, like "oh yeah, grandpa's telling the Agincourt story again." I think this is a good reading of the line, as this is definitely a thing that happens with war stories, and Shakespeare's audience would have heard a lot of 'em.
2) I came to Henry V through my studies of Military History, and specifically a book called "The Face of Battle," by John Keegan. Keegan's analysis (which definitely influenced the presentation in Branagh's film) provides some guidance on why people still find the battle a source of pride. Not only is it a victory for the underdog, and I think Brits and Americans share a lot of fondness for the underdog, but it's also a victory for the common person over the elite. The English army's outnumbered, yes, but they are grossly outnumbered in the people the French think matter - knights and men-at-arms. Furthermore, those are the guys that are hard to kill - and yet, the English lost very few of those (Shakespeare names three). So you have a story where the English win when outnumbered, and the reason why they win is because of the archers, who are distinctly English and commoners, defeat the French knights, who are elites. I think that more references to what happened in the actual battle would help, as Shakespeare is definitely writing to the audience who would have heard grandpa tell the story.
Just thought I'd share some thoughts, and answer a question you asked. To repeat, I think this an excellent analysis, and I learned more stuff about why I love the speech so much.
Wow a tattoo! That's devotion my friend. I agree with the interpretation of "with advantages." What is amazing about Shakespeare is the plurality of readings one can make.
Loved your observations on the peasantry.😀👍
Damn it..! 'Swells not Sweels' Put it Down to Goosebumps.
Cheers. New Subscription added..! 😎
You're a good teacher. This is an incredible lecture. Thank you.
Wow, thank you!
Absolutely brilliant Tristan! Your reading is so moving! Thanks for taking the time to make this.
Thank you so much Jessica. Dashed decent of you to take the time to comment, I appreciate it immensely.
If you have any suggestions for videos or topics please let me know.
Would love to have you as my English literature teacher back in the days……🔥🔥🔥🔥
Thank you so much. Pleased to find someone else who appreciates Shakespeare .👍😃
I ejoyed your video very much! I've always liked this speech, I feel that, in the movies about it, that Kenneth Branaugh did a really good job in bringing the speech to life! As a bit of mtrivia, three important battles took place on October 25th. The first was the Battle of Agincourt in 1415, which the outnumbered English Army under Henry V outfought the French army. The second happened in 1854, The disastrous British cavalry charge against heavily defended Russian troops at the Battle of Balaklava (1854) during the Crimean War (1853-56). The third occurred in 1944, during the WWII battle of Leyte Gulf. The Battle off Samar in the Phillipine Islands has been cited by historians as one of the greatest last stands in naval history; ultimately the Americans prevailed over a massive armada-the Japanese Imperial Navy's Center Force under command of Vice Admiral Takeo Kurita-despite their very heavy casualties and overwhelming odds. The US forces numbered 13 ships against 23 Japanese shps, including the biggest battleship in the world at the time, the IJN Yamato! Interesting how history works...
That's some wonderful trivia, right there. Thanks for sharing.
This magnificent speech would have been spoken by Winston Churchill in 1940, and in other words was spoken?
"Dowding the Lord, Park and Lee Mallory, Malan Tuck and Bader, will in their flowing cups be freshly remembered"?
Excellent observation.👏
it's amazing the power of the right word in moments so hard and epics. Thanks, Tristan for your excellent analysis. Best regards from Ecuador.
Do you know your video is now linked by CZcams from an excerpt of the film “Renaissance Man” where this speech is featured. As a foreigner (I’m a French speaker from Belgium) I found it so interesting to have this speech explained in all its magnificence. Thank you so much, Sir !
Thank you Jean-Louis. I'm honored to be linked to a film! I'm pleased that you enjoyed my little video. Shakespeare is amazing isn't he?
Thank you for this video! Will be watching Henry V at the Donmar in a few days and your video made me understand this speech more.
Ooo I'm envious. What a great play to go and watch. You might like watching my video on 'O fir a muse of fire' too. As it's the opening speech to the play and is the scene setter.
Hope you don't mind the flagrant self promotion 🤣🤣🤣 that's not my motive, I promise you 😃👍
Enjoy the play.
@@tristanandtheclassics6538 will do! BTW I laughed at @16:38 since I presumed you're English!
Tristan is definitely English. I’m not an accent expert, but that’s absolutely one of the English accents.
I actually ended up here from, originally, a strong Sussex accent discussion. Weird, hey?
Absolutely brilliant!
Thank you ever so much Patrick. Your commendation means a lot and I truly appreciate it. Shakespeare was pretty natty with a quill, what?😀 Sorry for my delay in responding, things have been getting a little hectic.
@@tristanandtheclassics6538 no worries on reply. Yesterday was the Birthday of E. A. Poe so I made sure I had some “Green Fairy”. (Some of his alliteration is wonderful!)
Now, as for Shakespeare. I’m looking forward to your next one. He was, natty. We, as Americans, do not have a “wonderful economy of words.”
I shall endeavor to favor your channel, as it is, truly educational!
Else wise, I return you to the man with three buttocks!
I have loved this speech since I heard it when in high school. Your rendition sir, is superb. Well done.
It's a peach isn't it? The blood tingles when one speaks it out. Thank you for the compliment, I shall treasure it.😅
I wish I could like this video more than once. Thank you so much.
Thank you for bringing this to life for me.
Thank you for your kindness and taking the time to comment, Michael. I really appreciate it.
Thank you.
This speech is an important part of my life. For many years I have returned to it when challenges rear and especially those that seem insurmountable. There is no shortage of those.
For a long time I have searched for a video like yours, one that could give me a thorough breakdown of the meaning of each of the phrases of this speech. English is my second language and although I have a passion for language and for Shakespeare, my command and understanding of English from the time of Shakespeare is shaky and I simply needed to confirm of what I gleaned from each of the phrases and rhetorical elements of this speech. I can’t tell you how grateful I am for your video and for the enthusiasm you have for this material which coincides with mine. There is no doubt that William Shakespeare and his works are universal. So much so that a man who neither grew up or studied in an English-speaking country, four centuries after the speech was written, finds it a source of inspiration, meaning and hope during dark times.
Many men search for meaning in their lives and never find it. Others never so much as notice that it is missing. For me, there is meaning enough in the knowledge that life can be hard and the mere fact that we can rise above our circumstances by tapping into the spark of the divine of which Shakespeare undoubtedly received much more than his fair share, can lift us up and above them. “Words are but wind”. Most are but these are much more than that. They are the essence of what it means to be a man when all hope is gone.
Blessings.
This was a beautiful comment. Shakespeare truly is at another level. Noone has ever hit the artistic heights he did in literature. So pleased that you are also a Shakespeare fan.
Watched this vid again, always feels fresh. Your passion to teach is contagious, I shared this video with one of my clients who was interested. Thank you.
Thanks Nicholas, that's amazing!!! Thanks for recommending me to your client. I'm touched.😀
And I learned about the Battle of Britain from my dad!
Wow. That gave me goosebumps. I am very new to English literature your video made me to start like it. I thought it was boring (no offense pls) but It's amazing. Thanks so much.
Thank you so much, that really made my day. So pleased that you enjoyed the video.
‘The grandeur that governs our soul.’
Thank you so much sir. The way you spoke the lines of king Henry was so good.
Thank you ever so much for leaving this comment Niharika. It really encourages me to keep going.
@@tristanandtheclassics6538 more power to you sir and may your channel keep growing 😄👍
I was really struck by the conversations in the two camps the night before the battle, the French spoke of material and temporal strengths and the English spoke of spiritual matters.
Fantastic speech brill play
Excellent!
Tristan Thank you !
Wow! I admit I was looking up Renaissance Man and the speech from the movie when YT popped your video as a suggestion after I watched it. It was nice seeing the background for the speech; it's been a long time since my high school graduation and we studied Shakespeare and even then Henry V wasn't on our curriculum list.
Very well done sir!
Take the at thy name upon this name day!
I've watched this video three times, I really like it! "You Gotta love Shakespeare!"
Thanks for saying this, Nicholas. It really incentivises me to keep going. And yes, "you gotta love Shakespeare!"😂
You talked me into it - subscribed!
Thank you
thank you ! love it ... POWERFUL
You're a great teacher!
Thank you! Facing some challenges now, and finding this heartening for the fight. From inside the belly of the beast, I'm glad to take a stand. Who can be fearful after hearing this?
Thank you so much Bonnie. I hope that you are OK and that things work out. Feel free to message me if you want a chat about anything.♥😀
@@tristanandtheclassics6538 I'm not sure how to message. However, it may be sufficient to say I live in the once-beautiful Golden State of California. Things are getting strange. Those of us taking a stand against modern-day tyranny (which ever assumes new forms), may lose our jobs. I think things are going to get worse, actually, though most people are going about life as usual. I was feeling a bit low the day I stumbled on this. I had, in fact, looked up the speech in one of the movie clips to give me heart, and was glad to find your site to explain it more precisely. "Once more into the breach!" Pray for us.
It will get worse, Bonnie. Stand firm & take heart.
Just stumbling on your channel. Great work! I wish I had you as my teacher whenever we had Shakespeare😊
Great explanation
Your passion for the subject really comes through, thanks
I love your passion! Please keep posting such videos!
Thank you! Will do! I very much appreciate your encouragement and positivity.
Excellent video. Great speeches like this, especially great military speeches, truly send chills down my spine. It was something I had to read and re read and re listen to it a few times to fully understand what he was implying. He truly was a wordsmith like no other.
He was something else wasn't he? There has been no wordsmith like him in my opinion. Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment, I really appreciate it.
@@tristanandtheclassics6538 naw man thank you! Do you know of any other people like Shakespeare who did great speeches about war and conflict?
Great lecture. Thanks.
Hello Tristan, thank you for this wonderful tribute to the genius of Shakespeare. I remember my teacher Mr Kuruvilla in Ceylon.
Niel Mcgreggor, ex Director of BM in one if his talks referred to Richard III.
Germany,s top literary critic speaking to thecGerman Parliment recalls a wartime memory. The Nazis were rounding up Polish citizens when Marcel Rinisky realised that he would lose his fiance unless he marries her immediately. He recalls "Was ever a woman so quickly wooed.....
That's a great anecdote😃
Thanks Tristan for stirring us up 😀
You are welcome Rosy. Do you have your Longbow ready?😂
Seriously though, Shakespeare is the Cat's pyjamas isn't he?
This was awesome! Thank you :)
Thank you Karl. Pleased you enjoyed it. Thanks for taking the time to be so supportive too. I appreciate it.
Thank you! Excellent!
Thank you! 😊
Thanks so much taking the time to eloquently explain this speech. Parts of this speech and others like it such as "Once more unto the Breech" (which I'll view next, thank you very much!) have so rightly survived the test of time that tidbits of them are commonly used today...even here across the pond! Although those parts taken out of context are used I had no idea from whence they came until now. After learning the meaning I was so greatly moved by your reading of the speech in it's entirety that I had goosebumps! I now must research Henry V completely so that I might truly appreciate the Bard's effort.
Thank you so much Mark! I really appreciate your taking the time to comment with such encouragement. Shakespeare is unbelievable. The amount of words and phrases that we have from his works are astronomical. It boggles the mind that one man can be so eloquent, insightful and prodigiously inventive. I cannot believe that top educators believe that he is irrelevant.
Once again, thank you for such an amazing comment. 👍😀
Throughly enjoyed this.. thankyou form aust
Very good work sir
Thanks so much. This is just what I needed.
Glad it was helpful!
Excellent video Tristan, thank-you.
Glad you enjoyed it! I am so sorry for my late response, life gets quite hectic.
Superb I agree. For chusing. For reciting and for talking it through.
Sir, your passion is contagious!
Thank you. Pleased you enjoyed it 😀
Amazing ! Amazing ! Amazing ! I love the way you speak with passion !
Wow, thank you Joanna! That really encourages me. I hope to do another Shakespeare video this week. Do you have a favourite play?
Stumbled…yes….but eager to learn and now subscribed
Thank you. Do you have a particular Shakespeare play that you are interested in?
I saw this film when I was 10 years old in School. I was mesmerised by it, especially Laurence Olivier's performance. This speech always gives me goosebumps! Strangely I did understand what he was talking about.
I'm now 65 and being English will love it evermore.
Olivier & Branagh we’re both brilliant, weren’t they?
Thanks! So much. Stumbled on this at just the right time.
Oh that's lovely. Thank you.
Majestic
Shakespeare is the best, isn't he?
Oh yes he is; and you have brought him to life for me. My son and I will read, and then watch, Henry V during the Christmas holidays. Thank you for your videos, they are inspirational, uplifting, informative and wonderful. Peter
Outstanding analysis
Thank you
Tristan, I subscribed. You got me. Brilliant.
Marvellous! Thank you, Oscar. A pleasure to make your acquaintance.
Incredible reading, incredible video you have got a new subscriber in me!
I’m actually memorizing this speech to recite! Thanks so much!!!!,!,!
Nice. It's a brilliant speech. Don't forget to shout it out and let the words move you like you wouldn't believe. Have you managed to memorise it yet?
Wow. So articulate.
Thank you kindly Alice. The credit goes to Shakespeare though, his words are spectacular. 😀❤
@@tristanandtheclassics6538 Credit to you both! I have never heard someone break down his work to reveal so much meaning in such a short span of time. You are my favourite channel on CZcams! ❤
@@alicejones8867 And you are my favourite person😀❤ I hope that someone buys you a yacht!😅🎩
@@tristanandtheclassics6538 By Jove, I am not covetous for gold 😉
Nice Job. You explained it very well.
Thank you John, I appreciate it.
My goodness.
I’ve never read Shakespeare, but after watching this? I more the tempted to attempt it. Well done.
Thanks so much for this Al. It really made me feel good that a video I made encouraged someone to try Shakespeare.
Shakespeare is phenomenal but is understandably off-putting when first approached. Trust me though, if you stick with him, his language soon becomes quite easy to understand. Then you just have line upon line of dazzling language like noone else has ever come close too.
Is there anything I could do to help you on your Shakespeare journey? What kind of video would you like to see?
Thank you very much Tristan，your speech helps me learn more deeply about Henry V.
You are welcome Delphine. Pleased you enjoyed it. Shakespeare is a marvel.
I will watch this video maybe once a week. You and your videos are most welcomed at this time in my life. Wonderful teaching here, Thank you.
Oh thank you Nicholas, I really appreciate this comment. It is very encouraging. I sometimes worry about whether my Shakespeare videos are going to be wanted or well received. Thank you again.😀
Its been a few years since I last heard the Henry the 5th speech , a spine tingling call to Henrys band of brothers , he includes the common soldier with himself ,the King
Terrific! I feel like standing on a bed and forcefully reciting this!
You really should do it!!! It'll make you feel Shakespeare in a unique way.😀🙌
The navy blue sky's and I could see the reflection of heaven in his eyes that's when I know
Oh wow! So rousing. Makes me love my native tongue even more. Thank you for making my day!
The language is brilliant isn't it? Nobody compares to Shakespeare.
I did Henry 1V Part 1 at school for GCE English Literature. I’m a bit ashamed to say that Henry V passed me by until recently. I bought the DVD of Olivier in the role and was of course, captivated by the language and acting in the production. I enjoyed watching your informative and interesting interpretation of this absolute Shakespeare classic. Thank you so much.
Hi Tarquin, thanks for taking the time to comment and be so supportive. Henry IV is a quality play. I love the progressive rise of Warwick. Both Olivier and Brannagh do an incredible job but, as you say, it is the language which is the champion.
T
Wonderful, Wonderful, I have always liked Shakespeare, but found the language difficult! Thank you for illuminating this great speech.
Thank you Mary for such a lovely comment. So pleased that you love Shakespeare. The felicity of his words is supreme. 😀
Taught by a rightly proud patriot. God save the king. (Jim in Arizona)
the king
Hi yep, i've just stumbled across this....I'm 50 seconds in and still listening. Think i'll make a cuppa and hear you out. Cheers. 👍
O jolly good! I hope that you find it worthwhile. 👍😃
I absolutely love Henry V..I did it for A levels (long, long time ago) so I know the text well which always helps and I've seen several versions of it on screen and stage. It's a very underated play, often dismissed as jingoistic etc. It's actually very complex and Henry himself is sometimes a dubious figure. The narrative of the Chorus often contrasts with the reality of the following scenes. The language is absolutely gorgeous.
I believe “He will remember with advantages what feats he did that day” was said humorously as in he may have forgotten much of life but on this matter he remembers even more than what he actually, truly did by glorifying his part.
Great video! I always thought the line "it yearns me not if men my garments wear" was referring to the practice of victorious soldiers looting the battlefield and stripping valuable armour and clothing from the dead, but I think maybe I read into it too much, and it would be a morbid image to introduce early on in a motivational speech.
Thank you ever so much. I appreciate your taking the time to comment. Your interpretation of "it yearns me not if men my garments wear" is rather intriguing.
Being as Henry could be seen as talking specifically to the nobles at that point in the speech, your angle has a nice nuance. The nobles themselves didn't need to worry about being stripped due to death on the field, rather they would be taken as ransom and then stripped. Could Henry have in essence been saying he fears not engaging in battle even though facing certain defeat.
Although, does Henry strike us as a person who would even conceive of defeat? His focus on and lust for honour may go against this point of view.
What is brilliant though, is the scope of interpretation within Shakespeare's language. Loved considering your take on this sentence.
The battle of Agincourt was 606 years ago today 🇬🇧🙏
The British totally routed the French 🇬🇧
So it is!!!
Great video. I don't particularly like this play but your passion made me understad and apreciate this passage much better.
Thank you Alex. I agree, Henry V is not the best of plays, and is problematic in places. But for valour, honour and inspiration, it is a treasure trove of sentiment.
I have just subscribed to this channel 😊😊😊
Thanks so much Gary, I really appreciate it. Sorry for the delay in responding. These past weeks have been a bit busy.
I love the adapted version magnificently delivered by Willem Dafoe (as Leonard Seppala), as a tribute to his brave sled dogs, in the movie "Togo", as they trekked across a dangerous stretch of frozen-over Alaskan sound which was breaking up all around their sled. Chills.
Herrlich.
Thank you Klaus
The comment I don’t know why it was 600 years ago. I will take as rhetorical. After all, you just proved why…
🤣 Yes, that was quite the contradiction!
It’s one of the most Beautiful speeches ever given to that only the one of Chaplin in his movie where I fist ever heard his voice
Ooo I've not heard Chaplin recite that.😃👍