They sell the pasture now to buy the horse, / Following the mirror of all Christian kings. At the beginning of Act II, he describes the country's dedication to the war effort: 'Now all the youth of England are on fire. The Chorus reappears at the beginning of each act to advance the story. The French Dauphin, son of King Charles VI, answers Henry's claims with a condescending and insulting gift of tennis balls, 'as matching to his youth and vanity'. In Henry V, the first act deals largely with the king and his decision to invade France, persuaded that through ancestry, he is the rightful heir to the French throne.

turning the accomplishment of many years / Into an hour-glass'. The Chorus encourages the audience to use their 'imaginary forces' to overcome the limitations of the stage: 'Piece out our imperfections with your thoughts. Then, says the Chorus, King Henry would 'ssume the port of Mars'. The play begins with a Prologue, in which the Chorus (a lone speaker addressing the audience) apologizes for the limitations of the theatre, wishing for 'a Muse of fire', with real princes and a kingdom for a stage, to do justice to King Henry's story. Soldiers, servants, attendants, and lords.Duke of Bourbon / Duke of Brittany (depending on the edition of the play).Louis, Duke of Guyenne, the dauphin – their son and the Dauphin of France.Mistress Quickly – hostess of the Boar's Head tavern, and Pistol's wife.Boy – formerly Sir John Falstaff's page.

Pistol, Nym, and Bardolph – soldiers, former followers of Sir John Falstaff.John Bates, Alexander Court and Michael Williams – soldiers.

William shakespeare king henry