King Henry V

This popular, much-studied drama focuses on the young warrior king--from Henry's decision to continue the military exploits of his royal ancestors and press England's claim to the French throne, to his nervous watch before the Battle of Agincourt and his role in one of the greatest military triumphs. The authoritative edition of Henry V from The Folger Shakespeare Library, the trusted and widely used Shakespeare series for students and general readers. Henry V is Shakespeare's most famous “war play”; it includes the storied English victory over the French at Agincourt. Some of it glorifies war, especially the choruses and Henry's speeches urging his troops into battle. But we also hear bishops conniving for war to postpone a bill that would tax the church, and soldiers expecting to reap profits from the conflict. Even in the speeches of Henry and his nobles, there are many chilling references to the human cost of war. This edition includes: -Freshly edited text based on the best early printed version of the play -Full explanatory notes conveniently placed on pages facing the text of the play -Scene-by-scene plot summaries -A key to the play's famous lines and phrases -An introduction to reading Shakespeare's language -An essay by a leading Shakespeare scholar providing a modern perspective on the play -Fresh images from the Folger Shakespeare Library's vast holdings of rare books -An annotated guide to further reading Essay by Michael Neill The Folger Shakespeare Library in Washington, DC, is home to the world's largest collection of Shakespeare's printed works, and a magnet for Shakespeare scholars from around the globe. In addition to exhibitions open to the public throughout the year, the Folger offers a full calendar of performances and programs. For more information, visit Folger.edu. Henry V is Shakespeares most famous war play; it includes the storied English victory over the French at Agincourt. Some of it glorifies war, especially the choruses and Henrys speeches urging his troops into battle. But we also hear bishops conniving for war to postpone a bill that would tax the church, and soldiers expecting to reap profits from the conflict. Even in the speeches of Henry and his nobles, there are many chilling references to the human cost of war. The authoritative edition of Henry V from The Folger Shakespeare Library, the trusted and widely used Shakespeare series for students and general readers, includes: -Freshly edited text based on the best early printed version of the play -Full explanatory notes conveniently placed on pages facing the text of the play -Scene-by-scene plot summaries -A key to the plays famous lines and phrases -An introduction to reading Shakespeares language -An essay by a leading Shakespeare scholar providing a modern perspective on the play -Fresh images from the Folger Shakespeare Librarys vast holdings of rare books -An annotated guide to further reading

folger Shakespeare Library: The World's Leading Center For Shakespeare Studies.

Each Edition Includes:

• freshly Edited Text Based On The Best Early Printed Version Of The Play
• full Explanatory Notes Conveniently Placed On Pages Facing The Text Of The Play
• scene-by-scene Plot Summaries
• a Key To Famous Lines And Phrases
• an Introduction To Reading Shakespeare's Language
• an Essay By An Outstanding Scholar Providing A Modern Perspective On The Play
• illustrations From The Folger Shakespeare Library's Vast Holdings Of Rare Books

Essay By Michael Neill

The Folger Shakespeare Library In Washington, D.c., Is Home To The World's Largest Collection Of Shakespeare's Printed Works, And A Magnet For Shakespeare Scholars From Around The Globe. In Addition To Exhibitions Open To The Public Throughout The Year, The Folger Offers A Full Calendar Of Performances And Programs. For More Information, Visit Www.folger.edu.

Introducing this edition, Gary Taylor shows how Shakespeare shaped his historical material, examines controversial critical interpretations, discusses the play's fluctuating fortunes in performance, and analyses the range and variety of Shakespeare's characterization. The first Folio text is radically rethought, making original use of the First Quarto (1600). Presents Shakespeare's history play in which young King Henry of England asserts a hereditary claim to the throne of France, gathering an army and embarking on a course that will lead to one of England's greatest battlefield triumphs; and includes explanatory notes, plot summaries, and a key to famous lines and phrases Contains that text of the English history play that dramatizes the fifteenth-century conflict between the royal families of York and Lancaster, and includes full explanatory notes on pages facing the text, an introduction to Shakespeare's language, and essays about his life, theater, and the publication of his works Shakespeare wrote the draft of Henry V that became the First Folio text in the early summer of 1599.