Activities for Henry V
Act 3 Scenes 1-2
Starter Activity: What makes a good leader?
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Pupils write their ideas on mini whiteboards or in their books. Share
with each other and discuss.
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Give examples of good leaders and explain why. (e.g. Beckham, Martin
Johnson, etc.)
“Once More Unto the Breach…”
At the start of this scene Henry is addressing his men before they go
into battle.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Look closely at Henry’s opening speech.
Focus more closely of the underlined words and phrases.
What does the tiger symbolise? (a good leader)
Draw the outline of a tiger on the board.
Extract words and phrases from the speech to demonstrate this.
The Power of Rhetoric
When making a rousing speech people make use of certain techniques in
order to grip their audiences’ attention and inspire them in some way.
People known for making such powerful speeches include Hitler, Churchill,
Kennedy, Martin Luther King and Nelson Mandela. In Henry’s speech
Shakespeare also employs many of the techniques of rhetoric in his
speech to his men.
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
In the accompanying table is a list of rhetorical devices often used in
speeches. Students find an example of each of these techniques in
Henry’s speech.
Using as many of the techniques in the table above, pupils write their
own speech.
The Men
In groups of four reread the section where Nym, Bardolph, Pistol and Boy
are talking and Fluellen interrupts them.
Decide who will play which part.
Re-enact the scene in modern English showing their thoughts and feelings
about:
 Henry
 the battle
 their fears
 where they would rather be
 etc.
Show to the rest of the class, if time, and discuss.
The Boy
After Fluellen interrupts the men and urges them on to battle, Boy
expresses his true feelings about them in his soliloquy.
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Underline the words and phrases that Boy uses to describe them.
What does it tell us about what he thinks about them?
Brainstorm adjectives that describe Boy. Compile a class list.
How does he differ from the Nym, Pistol and Bardolph?
Who is really brave and manly, as Henry outlines it in his speech?
The Power of Rhetoric
When making a rousing speech people make use of certain techniques in
order to grip their audiences’ attention and inspire them in some way.
People known for making such powerful speeches include Hitler, Churchill,
Kennedy, Martin Luther King and Nelson Mandela. In Henry’s speech
Shakespeare also employs many of the techniques of rhetoric in his
speech to his men.
Task:
1. In the accompanying table is a list of rhetorical devices often used in
speeches. Find an example of each of these techniques in Henry’s
speech.
RHETORICAL DEVICE
EXAMPLE
alliteration
internal rhyme
rhythm
rhetorical questions
antithesis
emotive language
repetition
exaggeration
lists
addressing the audience
2. Using as many of the techniques in the table above, write your own
speech.