View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What are "lavoltas" and "corantos"?

2. As Pistol bids his wife farewell, he tells her to let what appear?

3. How do the English respond to the French's offer of marriage of Katherine to Henry and Katherine's dowry?

4. In the Prologue, what term does the chorus use to describe King Henry?

5. What does Henry tell the governor will happen if Harfleur does not surrender?

Short Essay Questions

1. King Henry tells his uncle, Exeter, to free a man who had railed against him while intoxicated. What is Scroop, Cambridge, and Grey's response to this pardon and what is the significance of their response?

2. Why is the Archbishop of Canterbury worried that a certain bill will be passed?

3. What does Fluellen mean when he talks about the "disciplines of war" and what is his attitude toward these disciplines?

4. Based solely on the chorus' statement in the Prologue, what is the play about and what can the audience expect to experience?

5. Discuss how the chorus helps the audience use their imagination as the English army begins the invasion.

6. Describe the English lesson that Alice gives Katherine. What is the subject of the lesson and how successful is it?

7. What is the Salic Law and what is its significance in the play?

8. Why is the constable confounded that the English are better warriors than the French?

9. Describe the chorus' attitude toward King Henry.

10. Explain why it is important to Katherine that Alice teaches her English.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Compare this play to another work with which you are familiar and that is similar to the Life of Henry the Fifth is some way in regards to genre, theme, setting, period, authorship, etc. For example, you might compare this play to another of Shakespeare's plays, a play by one of Shakespeare's contemporaries (Christopher Marlowe, Thomas Kyd, etc.), an epic war drama of any period (300, Braveheart, etc.), or a story set in the medieval or Renaissance period in Europe (The Princess Bride, Le Retour de Martin Guerre, etc.). Try to focus your analysis on the two works' similarities and how understanding of the one helps you appreciate the other.

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the role of women in the play. Be sure to include a discussion of issues such as class, culture, and attitudes toward marriage.

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the process Henry went through from being wild Prince Hal to honorable King Henry. Henry has little to say about the issue, but other characters have made a variety of observations on the subject. What kinds of things do various characters say about Henry's transformation and what are their attitudes toward this change? What are your thoughts on Henry's journey from irresponsible youth to responsible adult?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,207 words (approx. 5 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample