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Wednesday, May 2, 2012

Henry V by William Shakespeare


Henry V
by William Shakespeare
Product Details
Audio Book
Date written: ca 1600

Point: King Henry of England braves the French in the battle of Agincourt to successful conquer the land and take Katharine as his bride. 
Path: Shakespeare carefully inserts major and minor characters throughout his play, bringing both comic relief, and truthful contemplation to the reader’s attention.
Sources: From my understanding, Shakespeare based much of the play upon Raphael Holinshed's Chronicles. Holinshed was one of the contemporary historians, and available to Shakespeare. He also uses his understanding of the English spirit, and the disagreements common among the Welsh, Irish, French and English.
Agreement: Well written, exciting, and stirring presentation of this moment in history. One cannot help but be stirred by the famous St. Crispin’s Day Speech, and also the speech given At the siege of Harfleur. 
Favorite Quote: The greatest sound comes from the hollow jar.
Stars: 4.5 out of 5
It would be worth another read and I would recommend it.
The St. Crispin's Day Speech is a famous motivational speech from the play, delivered by Henry V before the Battle of Agincourt (act IV scene iii). It is so called because 25 October is the feast day of Saints Crispin and Crispinian.
This day is call'd the feast of Crispian.
He that outlives this day, and comes safe home, Will stand a tip-toe when this day is named,
And rouse him at the name of Crispian.
He that shall live this day, and see old age,
Will yearly on the vigil feast his neighbours,
And say, "To-morrow is Saint Crispian."
Then will he strip his sleeve and show his scars, And say, "These wounds I had on Crispin's day."
Old men forget; yet all shall be forgot,
But he'll remember with advantages
What feats he did that day. Then shall our names, Familiar in his mouth as household words,
Harry the King, Bedford, and Exeter,
Warwick and Talbot, Salisbury and Gloucester, Be in their flowing cups freshly rememb'red. This story shall the good man teach his son;
And Crispin Crispian shall ne'er go by,
From this day to the ending of the world,
But we in it shall be remembered-
We few, we happy few, we band of brothers; For he to-day that sheds his blood with me Shall be my brother; be he ne'er so vile,
This day shall gentle his condition:
And gentlemen in England now a-bed
Shall think themselves accursed they were not here, And hold their manhoods cheap whiles any speaks That fought with us upon Saint Crispin's day."

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