KING HENRY V. I. Does any passage in this play afford a clue to the date of its composition? What is known of any earlier play on the same subject? 2. Define the period of time comprised in the action, and assign dates to the principal events related or noticed. 3. How far does the play illustrate the state of home affairs in the earlier part of Henry V.'s reign? 4. Point out some of the difficulties of dramatising war; and consider how far, and by what means, Shakespeare has overcome these difficulties in Henry V. or other plays. 5. Discuss the text in these places: (a) Than amply to imbar their crooked titles (i. 2. 94). The abuse of distance; force a play. (Prologue to Act ii.) (d) His nose was as sharp as a pen, and a' babbled of green fields (ii. 3). (e) Edward, Black Prince of Wales: Whiles that his mountain sire, on mountain standing (f) O ceremony, shew me but thy worth! (ii. 4. 56). What is thy soul of adoration? (iv. 1. 261.) (h) 6. (a) Pass our accept and peremptory answer (v. 2. 81). There's nought in France That can be with a nimble galliard won. (i. 2. 251.) (b) In cases of defence 'tis best to weigh The enemy more mighty than he seems: Doth, like a miser, spoil his coat with scanting (c) He hath stolen a pax, and hanged must a' be. (iii. 6. 42.) (e) 'Tis a hooded valour, and when it appears it will bate. (iii. 7. 121.) 7. (f) The farced title running 'fore the king. (iv. 1. 280.) (g) Thou diest on point of fox. (iv. 4. 9.) (h) A mighty whiffler 'fore the king. (v. prol.) Explain these allusions: (a). The law Salique that they have in France. (i. 2. 11.) (b) To kill us here in Hampton. (ii. 2. 91.) (c) O not to-day, think not upon the fault My father made in compassing the crown! (iv. 1. 310.) (d) This day is call'd-the Feast of Crispian. (iv. 3. 40.) (e) From Ireland coming, Bringing rebellion broached on his sword. (v. prol.) What historical authorities has Shakespeare chiefly followed? KING HENRY V. I. Explain Shakespeare's idea in treating of the subject of this play, noticing the aspects under which it may be considered (1) as unique, (2) as part of an extended scheme or group of plays. Set forth the character of the hero as delineated by Shakespeare, pointing out and illustrating by references (1) its development, (2) its unity, (3) the principal traits in it which are enforced by comparison with its foils or contrasted characters. 2. Explain and illustrate : (a) For government-Like music. (i. 2. 180-183.) (b) Bardolph and Nym had ten times more valour than this roaring devil in the old play, that every one may pare his nails with a wooden dagger. (iv. 4. 74.) (c) Illustrate from the Sonnets :-A good leg will fall-keeps his course truly. (v. 2. 167—173.) 3. Explain with reference to the historical allusions: (a) that self bill is urged Which farther question. (i. I. I-5.) Who is the speaker? (b) When all her chivalry-The king of Scots. (i. 2. 157—161.) What historical authority does Shakespeare make use of in this play? (c) As by a lower-To welcome him! (Prol. to A. v. 11. 29-34.) What date is fixed by this passage for the performance of this play? When was it first published? How far is the early copy deficient? How is this to be accounted for? (d) The Emperor's coming in behalf of France To order peace between them. (Prol. to A. v. 1. 38.) (e) Præclarissimus filius noster Henricus, Rex Angliæ et Hæres Franciæ. (v. 2. 469.) What is the feudal word opposed to Hæres? 4. Explain and correct if necessary the following passages from the 1st Folio, mentioning any important emendations that have been offered. (a) For after I saw him fumble with the Sheets, and play with Flowers, and smile vpon his finger's end, I knew there was but one way: for his Nose was as sharp as a Pen, and a Table of greene fields. (ii. 3.) (b) And thus thy fall hath left a kinde of blot To make thee full fraught man, and best indued (c) As fearefully, as doth a galled Rocke O're-hang and iutty his confounded Base, Swill'd with the wild and wastful Ocean. (iii. 1. 12.). (d) A Largesse vniuersall, like the Sunne, His liberall Eye doth giue to euery one, Thawing cold feare, that meane and gentle all A little touch of Harry in the Night. (Prol. to A. iv. 43.) (e) O God of Battailes, steele my Souldiers hearts, Possesse them not with feare: Take from them now My Father made, in compassing the Crowne. (iv. i. 306.) (ƒ) The farsed Title running 'fore the King. (iv. 1. 280.) (g) I stay but for my Guard: on To the field, I will the Banner from a Trumpet take, (h) Qualtitie calmie custure me. (iv. 4. 4.) Larding the plaine. (iv. 6. 7.) (k) And all my mother came into mine eyes. (iv. 6. 31.) 5. Explain tike, linstock, gimmal bit, point of fox, curtal axe; curselary, buxom, nookshotten, hilding; rivage, sternage; pix, pax; whiffler, corporal, ancient; Harry, Dolphin. KING HENRY V. "Shakespeare's historical authority is Holinshed, who follows Hall." When did these writers live, what were their works and what is their character as historians? Name the authors and the works which you would consult if you wished for earlier authorities as to the reign of Henry V. 2. Shew that the war could not have been first prompted by the Archbishop as represented. What was the claim actually made on France by Henry, and with what show of right? In what year were the embassies sent to France? What were the provisions of the last Treaty of Edward III. with France? What possessions had the English in France at the accession of Henry V.? 3. Trace the whole course of Henry's expedition, giving the dates as nearly as you can. What was the Dauphin's name? Give a short account of the state of things at the court of France. 4. Paraphrase, pointing out all allusions and grammatical peculiarities, and explaining fully. (a) Can this cockpit hold And let us, ciphers to this great accompt, We are glad the Dauphin...working-days. (i. 2. 259—277.) (c) Not working with the eye without the ear, And but in purged judgment, trusting neither? Such and so finely boulted, didst thou seem! (ii. 2. 135.) (d) For me, the gold of France did not seduce, Although I did admit it as a motive The sooner to effect what I intended: But God be thanked for prevention. (ii. 2. 155.) Who was the person who speaks this? What was probably his real motive? 5. State where the following quotations occur, and give the context and application. (a) Consideration like an angel came And whipped the offending Adam out of him. (i. 1. 28.) (b) The air, a chartered libertine, is still. (i. 1. 48.) (There is some soul of goodness in things evil. (iv. 1. 4.) (d) Familiar in his mouth as household words. (iv. 3. 52.) (e) There is a river in Macedon, and there is also moreover a river at Monmouth. (iv. 7. 27.) (f) Base is the slave that pays. (ii. 1. 100.) 6. Explain the passage:-He's in Arthur's bosom, if ever man went to Arthur's bosom. A' made a finer end, and went away, an it had been any christom child. (ii. 3.) 7. Bardolph and Nym had ten times more valour than this roaring devil in the old play, that every one may pare his nails with a wooden dagger. (iv. 4. 74.) Explain this quotation fully, and cite other passages from Shakespeare containing similar allusions. KING RICHARD III. I. Whence did Shakespeare derive the materials for this play? Does it anywhere differ from known historical facts? 2. Compare the characters of Richard III. and Macbeth. "His (Richard's) bloody violence is not that of Macbeth; nor his subtle treachery that of Iago." Illustrate this criticism. 3. Explain, and illustrate from history, the following passages: (a) Alas! I am the mother of these moans ! Their woes are parcelled, mine are general. (b) Thy Edward he is dead, that stabbed my Edward; The adulterate Hastings, Rivers, Vaughan, Grey, (c) Who told me, in the field by Tewksbury. When Oxford had me down, he rescued me, (ii. I. III.) |