Customer Reviews

Henry V (Henry the Fifth)

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The good folks at the Folger have done a great service to all readers who have ever said, "You know, I think I would like Shakespeare better if I didn't have to contend with all those footnotes." The Folger editions have a page of the play's text on the right, while the footnotes and other applicable explanatory information are on the left hand page. I don't know exactly why that makes it easier to read and digest, but it does. Taking your eye across the page to find the footnotes is much easier and less disruptive than having to go up and down the page.

I have read a couple of these editions now, and reading Shakespeare is getting easier all the time. I give some credit to the essays that begin each book, which explains some of the quirks of Shakespeare's language. The essays are basically the same from play to play, but the specific examples in the essays are taken from whatever play is featured in that particular book. Make sure to read one in detail, but you can probably skim them when you read subsequent plays.

I also have to give a lot of credit to Kenneth Branaugh. After several viewings of his excellent productions, with their beautiful but nearly conversational tone, I have begun to grasp the rhythms and flow of Shakespeare's dialog. I also highly recommend Branaugh's film version of Henry V, if you want to read it and see it.

The ad promises explanatory notes on facing pages and some nice things from the Folger Library.

Alas, I am bereft; of notes and Folger I have found none in the Kindle edition.

Well, first off I admit I haven't read the play yet. I just purchased it. But I clicked through about 40 pages and all there is is Shakespeare. (As if that is a disappointment!! It is certainly not) But I bought this edition and paid extra for it because of those features.

Are they somewhere tucked into the Kindle edition that I haven't seen yet?

I also purchased the MobiPocket version, which was only $0.99. It has hyperlinks between Acts and Scenes. This seems to be a superior Kindle version for that reason.

I really don't care. I don't need help understanding Shakespeare. It is a total treat. But I just thought folks ought to be warned.

King Henry and his band of brothers stand against France at Agincourt. Twas' the night before St Crispin's day and a ridiculously small army of Englishmen were getting ready to move against the throne of France. And on the next day, against long odds, they won.

Henry the Fifth is a complex character who gets the development he richly deserves after being treated with less respect in the Henry IV plays. On the eve of battle he moves among his troops disguised as one of them to get a sense of their morale and fears. And before the battle, he addresses those fears with his, now famous, "We few, we merry few" speech. Henry V has come a long way from Prince Hal, the immature and spoiled scion of Henry IV, and this play really showcases the wit, humor, and gravity of this roll.

I still don't really see why the Bard bothered with as little development of King Charles' daughter Katherine. Her character was given only trivial development, creating a rather vapid and insipid character, when she could have added much depth to the play. On the other hand, Shakespeare could have passed on any character development and created a similar character for her. So this was either too much or too little effort on Katherine, but definately not the right amount.

Despite this, I enjoyed this play, but would recommend seeing or reading Henry IV pt I & II before enjoying it.

E. M. Van Court

This version of Henry V is helpful because of the corresponding notes on the opposite page.