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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. King Henry hesitates to go to war with France because he is afraid what group will seize the opportunity to invade?

2. What is the name of the river the king of France believes Henry and his army have passed?

3. The chorus says the play will turn the "accomplishment of many years" into what?

4. What does King Henry tell Exeter to do with the drunken man who had railed against him the day before?

5. What does Nym suggest Pistol can do to restore their friendship?

Short Essay Questions

1. 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?

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

3. Explain what the constable means when he tells the Dauphin that Henry was "covering discretion with a coat of folly" and the significance of this statement.

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

5. Why does the chorus have an apologetic tone concerning the play?

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

7. What message does Exeter deliver to the French court, especially concerning the king of France and the Dauphin?

8. What is the French king's response to the negative tone of his court's conversation about England's invasion and what does he decide to do about the situation?

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

10. 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?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the role of the chorus. What is the chorus' purpose? Be sure to provide some examples of how the chorus is used in the play.

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

The societies of England and France in the time the play is set was strongly based on class. Discuss how characters in the play are treated based on their class and consider how class seems to affect how the characters view their world.

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