Henry V · Character

King Henry V

The newly crowned king whose wild youth is said to have died with his father, now weighing a French crown, a shrinking army, and the conscience of every man he leads.

major

Also known as Harry, King Harry, Henry le Roy, Harry of England, Harry Monmouth, Henry Plantagenet

First appearance: henry v

As a major figure in Henry V, King Henry V is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

Referenced as having undergone a dramatic reformation from wild youth to wise king, and as the target of Canterbury's offer regarding France.

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Once Prince Hal of Eastcheap taverns, he now sits at the center of a court where churchmen quietly calculate how a French war might save their lands from taxation. Canterbury marvels that his reformation came 'in a flood,' but the play keeps testing whether that change is sincere or strategic. Walking the camp at night in disguise, he argues with common soldiers about whether a king answers for the souls of those who die in his quarrel.

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Character Web

39 connections

A slice of how King Henry V sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Professional
Other

Character groups

Protagonist
Common Soldiers and French Commanders

+34 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

This scene is the dramatic climax because it presents the emotional and psychological peak of King Henry’s mor…

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Relationships

Bardolph
professional · negative
Bardolph is a former friend of Henry's youth, now a common soldier whom Henry must… How this plays out →
Pistol
professional · ambivalent
Bardolph
professional · negative
Bardolph is a former friend of Henry's youth, now a common soldier whom Henry must… How this plays out →
Bardolph
professional · negative
Bardolph is a former friend of Henry's youth, now a common soldier whom Henry must… How this plays out →

Bardolph
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.
Pistol
Pistol is a braggart soldier in Henry's army, but the king has little direct interaction with him beyond the military hierarchy.
Bardolph
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.
Bardolph
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.

Relationship notes

How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.

See King Henry V in henry v

In the story

King Henry V appears across 13 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

Scene I
Referenced as having undergone a dramatic reformation from wild youth to wise king, and as the target of Canterbury's offer regarding France.
Scene II
Seeks legal and moral justification for his claim to France, then responds defiantly to the Dauphin's insult.
Scene II: The Southampton Conspiracy
Reveals the conspiracy, confronts the traitors with a mix of righteous anger and sorrow, then orders their execution before turning his focus to the French campaign.
Scene I
Leads the charge and delivers the 'Once more unto the breach' speech.
The Siege of Harfleur
Delivers a fierce ultimatum to the Governor of Harfleur, threatening destruction and violence if the town does not surrender.
Scene VI
Receives Fluellen's report, issues orders against plundering, and delivers a resolute answer to Montjoy's demand for ransom.
Scene I
Disguised, debates soldiers about king's responsibility; soliloquizes on ceremony; prays before battle.
Scene III
Delivers the St. Crispin's Day speech, rejects ransom, and leads the English army with defiant courage.
Scene VI
Hears Exeter's account of York and Suffolk's deaths, is moved to tears, and orders the killing of prisoners.
Scene VII
Names the field of Agincourt, gives Fluellen a glove as a favor, and expresses anger at the slaughter of the boys.
Scene VIII
Reveals himself as the disguised soldier Williams struck, pardons Williams, rewards him, and leads the army in giving thanks to God for the victory.
The Wooing of Katherine and the Treaty of Troyes
Woos Katherine with a blend of charm, self-deprecation, and royal authority, ultimately securing her hand and the peace treaty.
Epilogue
Celebrated as 'this star of England' who lived greatly in a short time and achieved conquest of France.

Chapter companion notes

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See King Henry V in henry v

See King Henry V in Scene I