Sep 5, 2008

Henry V | Act III, Scene 1 Summary and Analysis

New Character:
Soldiers: infantrymen in the English army

Summary
Standing before a gap in the wall surrounding Harfleur, Henry delivers a rallying speech to his troops. Pleading for one more mighty effort, he tells them to cast off their civilized manners and “imitate the action of the tiger.” He appeals to their nationalism (“On, on, you [noblest] English”), linking his own leadership with the men’s patriotic and religious fervor:

Cry “God for Harry, England, and Saint George!”

Analysis
Henry’s oratory here is dazzling. “Once more unto...