Henry V (play)

Written by: William Shakespeare

First performed: 1599

Henry V is a historical play written by the infamous playwright, William Shakespeare. Weighing in at five acts, this play tells the epic tale of the life and times of the legendary King Henry V of England.

While some may find this play to be a dry, historical retelling of events, we here at the Humorous Encyclopedia appreciate the humor that Shakespeare weaved throughout Henry V.

Let’s dive into some of the more amusing (and sometimes ridiculous) moments in this timeless classic.

The Battle of Agincourt

Perhaps one of the most famous scenes in Henry V, the Battle of Agincourt has been taught in schools and reimagined in film and TV for centuries. But did you know that Shakespeare added some comedic relief to this intense battle?

As the French prepare for battle, the Duke of Orleans decides to threaten the English by stating, “We shall have much ado to match them.” To which the Constable replies, “Paris and Rouen shall not suffice.”

These two French leaders may have been attempting to sound intimidating, but their remarks fall flat and end up being comedic relief in the midst of an epic battle.

The French Princess and Her Broken English

Henry V ends with a marriage between the victorious King and the French Princess Katherine. But before they get hitched, they have to navigate a language barrier.

The Princess Katherine speaks broken English, which leads to some hilarious misunderstandings between the two. At one point, Katherine mistakes the word “foot” for the word “foutre,” which is French slang for “f*ck.” We’ll let your imagination fill in the comedic possibilities there.

The Famous Speech

No discussion of Henry V would be complete without mentioning the famous St. Crispin’s Day speech. While this speech is a rallying cry for the English soldiers to fight for their King, it’s also filled with some ridiculous phrases.

For example, Henry refers to the soldiers as his “dear friends” and “bedfellows in great adventure,” which sounds less like a powerful leader and more like a giddy child on a camping trip.

Overall, Henry V may be a historical play, but Shakespeare added enough humor and ridiculous moments to keep us entertained. Whether you’re a history buff or simply love a good laugh, Henry V is a must-read play for all.