GCSE: English Literature: Drama: By Author: William Shakespeare: Henry V Coursework

About Henry V.

"Henry the Fifth" (Henry V for short) is one of Shakespeare's historical plays based on real characters and events from English history. It is set during the Hundred Years War between England and France, around the year 1415 and the battle of Agincourt.

Henry V: What Will I Study?

GCSE English Literature usually asks you to write essay type answers to questions set on extracts of the play. If you want to score high marks you'll need to know about the plot and characters in the whole play so you can show how the extracts fit in. The questions will ask you about the characters' relationships and actions. You should also think about how the play would be performed and what the audience's reaction might be.

"Henry V" has been filmed several times and you will probably be set coursework comparing different versions. The 1944 production by Laurence Olivier is gloriously patriotic in contrast to the dark, brutal film directed by Kenneth Branagh in 1989. If you can't get to see a theatre production it's worth watching these two to help your understanding of the play.

Students taking the war poetry option of GCSE English Literature may be set the "one more unto the breach" speech as part of a comparative essay. There's a version of this in the Youtube link below, along with other clips from the play.

Henry V... What Can I Study Next?

If you've enjoyed "Henry V" then taking A Level English Literature will give you the chance to study another of Shakespeare's plays. History fans could use the Hundred Years War or the battle of Agincourt as a theme for their GCSE History project.

More About Henry V.

http://www.englishbiz.co.uk/mainguides/play.htm

http://shakespeare.palomar.edu/studyguides.htm

http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=henry+v+speech&search_type=&aq=1&oq=henry+v