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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. Ely compares King Henry's development to the growth of what type of fruit?

2. In what city does Act 1, Scene 1 take place?

3. What color does Hostess Quickly say Falstaff did not like?

4. What type of muse does the chorus invoke?

5. What does Ely say regarding the transformation in King Henry?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does the boy want to quit working for Bardolph, Nym, and Pistol? Be sure to provide examples.

2. How do Scroop, Cambridge, and Grey respond when they are charged with treason?

3. Ely compares King Henry's development as a leader to the way certain types of fruit grow. Discuss this metaphor and how it applies to the king.

4. Describe the chorus' attitude toward King Henry.

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

6. In the Prologue, what mythical creature does the chorus invoke and what does he hope doing so will accomplish?

7. What is the governor of Harfleur's response to Henry's demands and what is his explanation for his decision?

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss how the French language is used in the play and be sure to provide examples. Some questions you may want to consider: Is Shakespeare's use of French an effective rhetorical device; would audience members who do not understand French have a difficult time following and enjoying the play; should a director of the play consider using translations if he or she knows a majority of audience members will not understand the language?

Essay Topic 2

After receiving an insulting gift from the Dauphin, King Henry seems very quick to go to war with France. The people of England strongly support their king and are willing to fight and die for him. Compare the response of the people of England in Henry's time to the way people respond to wars today.

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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