Essay on Henry V:
You could refer in your answer to the Olivier and Branagh films and the contexts in which they were produced, as well as the context of the play’s original composition.
At the time when Shakespeare wrote Henry V Queen Elizabeth was the country’s monarch and the nation had just witnessed England defeat the Spanish Armada and become the world’s strongest naval power. Therefore the 16th Century and original perception of the play is that it’s celebrating England’s supremacy in battle and shows this again by the production of Henry V and England’s victory over the much stronger French. It’s unifying the country through war and celebrating the country’s pride. Henry V was also related to Elizabeth, so it’s not only a celebration to the country but also to the Queen and her deceased relative. (more…)