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

Short Answer Questions

1. The king of France tells the Dauphin to stay with them in __________.

2. What is Alice's response to Katherine's assertion that she (Alice) speaks English well?

3. What words from Alice's lesson does Katherine consider too vulgar to speak before the gentlemen of France?

4. To what account from the Christian Bible does Henry allude to when he foretells the suffering the people of Harfleur will experience if they do not surrender?

5. The constable states that if Henry cannot be fought off, then they should leave France and leave their "__________ to a barbarous people."

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. Describe the kind of rhetorical appeals Henry uses to persuade his army to be persistent in their attack on Harfleur.

4. Compare the response of the English and French to the impending war based on the chorus's observations.

5. The chorus cites one of England's weaknesses that the French are using to their advantage. What is the weakness and how does France plan to use it in its favor?

6. 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?

7. Explain why Hostess Quickly blames King Henry for Sir John's illness and the justification that Nym and Pistol offer for what the king had done.

8. How do Falstaff's friends mourn his passing?

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

10. Describe and discuss the offer the French make to Henry at Harfleur. What is Henry's opinion of the offer and what is his response to it?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Consider the role of friendship in the play. Which characters seem to have genuine friendships, which do not, and why? Does class seem to affect friendships?

Essay Topic 2

Shakespeare's "The Life of King Henry the Fifth" is a work of fiction based upon a historical event. Many of the characters and situations presented in the novel are based on factual information, but many others are entirely fabrications. Discuss whether you think works like Henry the Fifth help us to understand historical events better or if pure historical accounts alone are sufficient. You may want to discuss whether historical fiction has a place in a history class or if it belongs only in a literature course.

Essay Topic 3

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.

(see the answer keys)

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