53 pages • 1 hour read
William ShakespeareA modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Chapter Summaries & Analyses
The Chorus describes the magnificent English fleet setting sail for France. Henry has made his landing at Harfleur, a city on the north coast. He and his army have laid siege to the city in a terrifying display of power. King Charles, shocked by the power of Henry’s army, has offered a compromise. He will give Henry a series of “petty” dukedoms (i.e., large but unprofitable territories) in France, but he will keep the crown. He also offers his daughter Katherine (also spelled Catherine) as Henry’s bride. Henry dismisses the offer. He continues to lay siege to Harfleur. The Chorus tells the audience that the action will now move to the battle at Harfleur and urges them to imagine the scene of war: “be kind // eke out our performance with your mind” (3.Prolouge.34-35).
The scene consists of a rousing speech by King Henry, rallying his troops in the midst of battle. He urges them “[o]nce more unto the breach, dear friends, once more,” showing that the English have broken through the French defenses and must push their advantage with hand-to-hand fighting. He invokes the courage, nobleness, and “mettle” of the English and exhorts his soldiers to remember and be worthy of their English “breeding.
By William Shakespeare
All's Well That Ends Well
All's Well That Ends Well
William Shakespeare
A Midsummer Night's Dream
A Midsummer Night's Dream
William Shakespeare
Antony and Cleopatra
Antony and Cleopatra
William Shakespeare
As You Like It
As You Like It
William Shakespeare
Coriolanus
Coriolanus
William Shakespeare
Cymbeline
Cymbeline
William Shakespeare
Hamlet
Hamlet
William Shakespeare
Henry IV, Part 1
Henry IV, Part 1
William Shakespeare
Henry IV, Part 2
Henry IV, Part 2
William Shakespeare
Henry VIII
Henry VIII
William Shakespeare
Henry VI, Part 1
Henry VI, Part 1
William Shakespeare
Henry VI, Part 3
Henry VI, Part 3
William Shakespeare
Julius Caesar
Julius Caesar
William Shakespeare
King John
King John
William Shakespeare
King Lear
King Lear
William Shakespeare
Love's Labour's Lost
Love's Labour's Lost
William Shakespeare
Macbeth
Macbeth
William Shakespeare
Measure For Measure
Measure For Measure
William Shakespeare
Much Ado About Nothing
Much Ado About Nothing
William Shakespeare
Othello
Othello
William Shakespeare