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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. What is Fluellen's opinion of Captain Macmorris and Captain Jamy concerning military matters?

2. The chorus invites the audience to "piece out" what with their thoughts?

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

4. King Henry states that he will be "No king of England" if he is not also what else?

5. What does Alice tell Katherine when she pronounces "neck" as "nick" and "chin" as "sin"?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

4. What is Henry wanting his troops to do as they begin their attack on Harfleur and what does he suggest they do if they do not want to comply?

5. 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?

6. What is the cause of the conflict between Nym and Pistol and how is this conflict resolved?

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. 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?

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

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

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

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?

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)

This section contains 1,175 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample