Henry V The American Shakespeare Company

Improved Essays
Showcased in their workshop presentation, discussion, and performance of Henry V, the American Shakespeare Company (ASC) demonstrate significant understanding and enthusiasm in their interpretations of the play; namely in the portrayal of Henry himself. ASC Co-founder and Artistic Director Jim Warren professes that “like all of Shakespeare’s major characters, Henry is not just one thing. He’s calculating and heroic; he’s patriotic and ruthless; and he gets the girl with one of Shakespeare’s most charming rom-com endings. The title character (and the play) is a rabbit and a duck. Just like life.” This open-minded willingness to explore in such a newer, fresher way grants the audience an exciting opportunity; after all, the great works of Shakespeare,

Related Documents

  • Improved Essays

    How does Shakespeare use symmetry, in which scenes or even people seem to be slightly altered reflecting the other scenes or people in order to make his point? In addition to the political quarrels, William Shakespeare has depicted several comparisons between characters and settings to mirror situations in Henry IV. King Henry has juxtaposed Hal and Hotspur, Hal enjoys diversions and humour whereas Hotspur is exhibited in a serious manner. Contrasted again, Hotspur is the epitome of honour contracting to Falstaff who believes honour is nothing.…

    • 880 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Most movies and books in this day and age have simple plots with miniscule character development, but this is not the case in Hamlet, by William Shakespeare. Shakespeare uses foils that the viewer has to dig into in order to see what he is trying to convey, which increases the understanding of the play. The foils are created between three similar characters––Fortinbras, Laertes and Hamlet––that emphasize where they deviate from each other on specific traits. Even if one reads into all of the details they will still be thrown by the eventual, unpredictable, ending of the play. Shakespeare creates a new way to view masculinity by using both classical and modern interpretations of important character traits, defined by these foils, to show why Fortinbras is the only one left standing by the end of the play.…

    • 1633 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Superior Essays

    In Shakespeare’s 1 King Henry IV, the three main settings: the castle, tavern, and the battlefield, are used to represent very different lifestyles, which all play a vital role in the portrayal of certain themes within the play. The castle is normally associated with King Henry, duty, and power, whereas the tavern is populated by drunks, low-lives, and lackluster endeavors. It is also where Hal spends the majority of his time. These two setting cause major conflict between Hal and King Henry as well as blur the true honorability of Hal. The battlefield is where the tavern and castle come into contact and characteristics of both are displayed in a new way.…

    • 1070 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Superior Essays
  • Decent Essays

    Sarah, I think you’ve hit the nail on the head when you said Henry was portrayed in a variety of different ways. Shakespeare seems to fundamentally understand how complex humans are, and, therefore, the dissection of one’s decisions should also be complex. Henry is a king who continually looks for ways to win, whether it’s peoples’ opinions of him or a war or Kate’s love. Yet he seems to believe in an honor code that balances his decisions. This shows how many decisions in life are not black or white, but truly exist in the grey.…

    • 107 Words
    • 1 Pages
    Decent Essays
  • Superior Essays

    Such an attempt to veil political motivations can be seen in the Royal Shakespeare Company’s (RSC) interpretation of Act 2, Scene 4, directed by Gregory Doran. Doran’s representation of this scene serves to present a dramatic, visual performance, but also to demonstrate his shared perspective of Shakespeare’s political views. The characterisation of Falstaff as a static character is a foil to King Henry, where the juxtaposition is apparent between the honourable and utilitarian yet politically ambiguous figures, versus the vulgar yet honest ‘human’. Moreover, Falstaff satirises King Henry IV’s legitimacy and how he presents himself, as he says, “Give me a cup of sack to make my eyes look red, that it may be thought I have wept, for I must speak in passion...”, the motif of ‘sack’ being associated with irresponsibility and frivolity as a result of Falstaff’s characterisation. Furthermore, Falstaff continues the meta-play, satirising the King’s way of speech through his role-playing: “I do not speak to thee in drink, but in tears; not in pleasure, but in passion; not in words only, but in woes also”.…

    • 1513 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Superior Essays
  • Decent Essays

    Henry V: Rebel Or Rebel?

    • 102 Words
    • 1 Pages

    Shakespeare’s character, Prince Hal who later on became known as Henry V, was rambunctious when young and courageous when older. As he began to attend to American school he was very disruptive during circle time, he would even wrestle with his friends, and break all the safety rules. However, the school system only rewarded students who were studious, nurturing, silent, ambitious, and well disciplined. Prince Hal was considered a rebel because the school could not find a way to engage him to learn. The school system needed to find a way to engage all students.…

    • 102 Words
    • 1 Pages
    Decent Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Under Henry’s leadership, England proceeds to lead a “band of brothers” to win a victory against unimaginable odds while the prince of France suffers shame and his men scatter. Henry V, portrays the theme that the most important aspect of a leader is humility. Both the way that he interacts with his inferiors and the way that he trusts God instead of himself display the extent of Henry’s humility. The Dauphine contrasts with this picture of righteous leadership by using rash judgment and puffing himself above even those that are wiser than him. Shakespeare uses the prince as foil and picture of Henry’s former self when he was still a prince and relying on his father to show responsibility.…

    • 1030 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Get Off Your High Horse: Film Reading Shakespeare remains alive today through the numerous adaptations of his work, each with an unique interpretation of his words. In The Hollow Crown’s version of Henry V Tom Hiddleston breathes life into the long dead King Henry V. Juxtaposition is brilliantly used by director Thea Sharrock to contrast the French to the English, as well as emphasize the passion and turmoil that Henry V experiences. The pinnacle of the polarization between the King and the French is witnessed when comparing French Ambassador Montjoy’s first visit to King Henry V to his last visit, an effect created not only through scenery, but in power dynamics, body language, and tone.…

    • 681 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Shakespeare Vs America

    • 671 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Even through all the differences there are between modern America and Shakespeare's time, his plays are still being performed today. Some of those differences include the differing rights of women, sanitation, and special effects. However, they are also similar in many ways. Some of those similarities include the violence in the world and music. Shakespeare wrote many of his plays based on his surroundings, so by understanding how his world compares to ours, we can better understand Shakespeare's life.…

    • 671 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Shakespeare’s Ideas of Identity William Shakespeare questions identity throughout his works, but this theme is especially apparent in Henry IV, Part 1. Typically, Shakespeare will have characters question themselves and their importance to show identity; however, he expands on this in several ways in this play. This struggle relates to the society that Shakespeare was accustomed to, yet this struggle is still faced today. Identity is something that people still struggle with because of the numerous ways it can be defined. One’s identity can be linked to their appearance, name, personality, occupation, race, or political views.…

    • 1151 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Superior Essays

    Henry IV

    • 1131 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Something is Rotten in England Something is always rotting in politics. Whether it was the middle ages or even now, there are always situations in politics that are too rotten or too taboo to talk about. The Elizabethan era, in particular, had plenty of betrayal, murder, and war. Shakespeare liked to place politics into his histories.…

    • 1131 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Superior Essays
  • Improved Essays

    The revolving view of people and politics is manipulated such that it becomes the apparent truth. This is evident within the play, King Henry Part 1, written by William Shakespeare due to the positioning of the audience’s view or perspective on matters such that they are able to unveil the true meaning. In King Henry Part 1, an understanding can be formed with each character as they all have their own politics, a standpoint or decision that they stick by which is influenced by their own values, ideologies and virtues. Within the play, Hal and King Henry are prominent examples in which their actions are manipulated by the playwright thus reestablishing the audience’s preconceived ideas and views on them. This manipulation of the surrounding…

    • 1099 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Superior Essays

    Sinister Themes In Othello

    • 1175 Words
    • 5 Pages

    When one hears the name Shakespeare, what comes to mind? A playwright and a poet, love or death? Possibly both. That timeless tale of star-crossed lovers, Rome and Juliet. Shakespeare might be dead, but his stories and characters are still very much alive.…

    • 1175 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Superior Essays
  • Improved Essays

    By communicating both Henry and Hal’s personalities and capabilities through their similarly regal speeches, Shakespeare illustrates how a character’s method of speaking plays a large role…

    • 918 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Superior Essays

    The Merchant of Venice: Comedy or Tragedy? Many would agree that William Shakespeare is one of the world’s greatest playwrights. He is known for his ability to entertain audiences and capture their affections through his beloved characters. Many of his plays contain themes that are everlasting and able to move audiences through several generations.…

    • 1297 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Superior Essays