# Bardolph — Henry V character guide

> Bardolph in Henry V by William Shakespeare.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Bardolph, Lieutenant Bardolph, Good Bardolph

**First appearance:** 0007-act-ii-scene-i

## Snapshot

A red-nosed veteran of the tavern years, loyal to his old companions and unable to resist the small thefts that will cost him everything.

## Who they are

He follows the army to France as a lieutenant, still recognizable by the flaming nose that made him a joke in Eastcheap. His loyalty to Falstaff's circle and his casual looting place him on a collision course with the king's new discipline. He matters because his fate forces Henry to choose between old friendship and the law he has sworn to uphold.

## Relationships

### [King Henry V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/henry_v_se/characters/king_henry_v)

_professional_

Bardolph is a former friend of Henry's youth, now a common soldier whom Henry must execute for theft, showing the king's harsh justice.

### [King Henry V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/henry_v_se/characters/king_henry_v)

_professional_

Bardolph is a former friend of Henry's youth, now a common soldier whom Henry must execute for theft, showing the king's harsh justice.

### [King Henry V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/henry_v_se/characters/king_henry_v)

_professional_

Bardolph is a former friend of Henry's youth, now a common soldier whom Henry must execute for theft, showing the king's harsh justice.

## In the story

### [Scene I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/henry_v_se/chapters/act-ii-scene-i)

Bardolph acts as a peacemaker, offering to buy breakfast to reconcile Nym and Pistol and threatening to kill the first man who strikes. He urges unity for their upcoming campaign in France.

### [Scene III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/henry_v_se/chapters/act-ii-scene-iii)

Expresses regret for Falstaff's death and laments the loss of his livelihood.

### [Scene II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/henry_v_se/chapters/act-iii-scene-ii)

Urges others to the breach but is described by the Boy as white-livered and red-faced.

### [Scene VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/henry_v_se/chapters/act-iii-scene-vi)

Reported to be under sentence of death for stealing a pax from a church.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/henry_v_se/characters/bardolph
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/henry_v_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/henry_v_se/characters