Henry V: A Guide to the Play

Henry V is a complex and challenging Shakespearean play that rewards detailed study. Following Kenneth Branagh's critically acclaimed 1989 film, the play's popularity has increased among both general readers and students. This comprehensive introductory guide provides a full overview of all aspects of the work. The initial chapters summarize the textual history of Henry V and its historical and cultural contexts. Later chapters then survey its dramatic structure and themes, different critical approaches, and important productions on stage, film, and video. Also, a bibliographical essay reviews the most important scholarly discussions of the play.