Henry V

(Paperback)

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The authoritative edition of William Shakespeares historic play Henry V from the Folger Shakespeare Library, the trusted and widely used Shakespeare series for both students and general readers.

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 includes:

Freshly edited text based on the best early printed version of the play
Newly revised 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 up-to-date annotated guide to further reading
An essay by Catherine Belsey

The Folger Shakespeare Library in Washington, DC, is home to the worlds largest collection of Shakespeares printed works, and a magnet for Shakespeare scholars from around the globe. In addition to exhibitions open to the public throughout the year, the folder offers a full calendar of performances and programs. For more information, visit Folger.edu.

Author Bio

William Shakespeare was born in April 1564 in the town of Stratford-upon-Avon, on Englands Avon River. When he was eighteen, he married Anne Hathaway. The couple had three childrenan older daughter Susanna and twins, Judith and Hamnet. Hamnet, Shakespeares only son, died in childhood. The bulk of Shakespeares working life was spent in the theater world of London, where he established himself professionally by the early 1590s. He enjoyed success not only as a playwright and poet, but also as an actor and shareholder in an acting company. Although some think that sometime between 1610 and 1613 Shakespeare retired from the theater and returned home to Stratford, where he died in 1616, others believe that he may have continued to work in London until close to his death.

Barbara A. Mowat is Director of Researchemeritaat the Folger Shakespeare Library, Consulting Editor ofShakespeare Quarterly, and author ofThe Dramaturgy of Shakespeares Romancesand of essays on Shakespeares plays and their editing.

Paul Werstine is Professor of English at the Graduate School and at Kings University College at Western University. He is a general editor of the New Variorum Shakespeare and author ofEarly Modern Playhouse Manuscripts and the Editing of Shakespeareand of many papers and articles on the printing and editing of Shakespeares plays.