The prologue to the beginning of this play calls upon the "Muse" to help present the play. The chorus explains to the audience of the difficulties faced in pre

In the prologue to Act IV, the Chorus creates an image of the English and the French camps. It is nighttime, and the two camps are waiting for the onset of dawn, when the fighting is to commence. The French camp is described as "confident and over-lusty." They are gathered around at their camp playing dice, waiting anxiously for dawn to come and for the fighting to begin. At the English camp, the troops are not as confident as their enemy is. They wait for the danger that the morning holds for them, sad and frightened. They are aware that the French are larger in numbers and stronger than they are. The Chorus then gives a character development of King Henry. He is walking around from tent to tent talking to his soldiers. The King remains strong and confident before his men, giving them encouragement and confidence as he speaks with them, trying to prepare them for battle. The Chorus gives the audience a description, "Upon his royal face there is no note how dread an army hath enrounded him; nor doth he dedicate one jot of color unto the weary and all-watched night; but freshly looks, and overbears attaint with cheerful semblance and sweet majesty; that every wretch, pining and pale before, beholding him, plucks comfort from his looks. A largess universal, like the sun, his liberal eye doth give to everyone, thawing cold fear, that mean and gentle all behold, as may unworthiness define, a little touch of Harry in the night" (li 35-47). The Chorus then takes the audience to the battle scene, calling upon them to once again to use their imaginations to picture the battle between the two countries at the Battle of Agincourt.

The Chorus in Act III explains for the lapse in time that has taken place. The audience is urged to use their imagination to create a mental picture of what is taking place. The Chorus uses very descriptive language as they tell of the English fleet preparing to set sail for France. Then the audience is told of the return of Exeter, the king's ambassador, from France where he met with the King of France. In Act II, he was sent to France to ask the King to forfeit his crown or else the English would go to war with France. He declined, but said that he would consider a counteroffer. Act II ended there, and now the Chorus tells that the king's counteroffer was his daughter, Katherine, and her dowry. However, Henry refused the offer, so the English set sail for France.

senting this play. It is difficult to transform a small stage to represent the English or French Courts, or the battlefield in France. They apologize, telling the

Some topics in this essay:
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