St. Crispen's Day Speech
In Henry V, William Shakespeare attempts to tell the history of King Henry V and his invasion of France as an inspirational and patriotic story in order to both please his English audiences and to inspire them to patriotism in their own day. The play tells of the English victories at Harfleur and Agincourt during the Hundred Year's War, when Henry V was fighting to establish his claim to the French throne. The most famous scene shows the young king addressing his forces on the morning of the battle of Agincourt, bolstering their spirits and encouraging them to fight and fight well, despite the fact that his army is terribly outnumbered. Because he speaks to them not only as their king, but as a fellow soldier he establishes a camaraderie with them. This, coupled with his use of religious words and allusion to the Saints' day upon which this battle is to be fought, establishes his ethos with his men, and persuades them to fight honorably and valiantly for him.
The scene opens with a few of Henry's noble generals discussing the prospects for battle. The Duke of Exeter reports that, "There's five to one, besides they are all fresh" (Line 3) and we see the fearful odds" (line 4) that Henry's army is to face. Against such odds, and in such conditions as Henry's army finds itself, namely that they are tired and worn from marching across France, while their enemy sits warm and well-fed within the walls of Agincourt, it is only natural that the English soldiers begin to complain and fear for their lives. Coupled with this is the fact that the day of battle is known as St. Crispin's Day, and is a holiday in England, a day on which no work is done. This leads the Earl of Westmoreland to wish, "O that we now had here but one ten thousand of those men in England who do no work today!" (Lines 16-18), which is the catalyst for Henry's speech.
Enter the KING
WESTMORELAND. O that we now had here
But one ten thousand of those men in England
That do no work to-day!
KING. What's he that wishes so?
My cousin Westmoreland? No, my fair cousin;
If we are mark'd to die, we are enow
To do our country loss; and if to live,
The fewer men, the greater share of honour.
God's will! I pray thee, wish not one man more.
By Jove, I am not covetous for gold,
Nor care I who doth feed upon my cost;
It yearns me not if men my garments wear;
Such outward things dwell not in my desires.
But if it be a sin to covet honour,
I am the most offending soul alive.
No, faith, my coz, wish not a man from England.
God's peace! I would not lose so great an honour
As one man more methinks would share from me
For the best hope I have. O, do not wish one more!
Rather proclaim it, Westmoreland, through my host,
That he which hath no stomach to this fight,
Let him depart; his passport shall be made,
And crowns for convoy put into his purse;
We would not die in that man's company
That fears his fellowship to die with us.
This day is call'd the feast of Crispian.
He that outlives this day, and comes safe home,
Will stand a tip-toe when this day is nam'd,
And rouse him at the name of Crispian.
He that shall live this day, and see old age,
Will yearly on the vigil feast his neighbours,
And say 'To-morrow is Saint Crispian.'
Then will he strip his sleeve and show his scars,
And say 'These wounds I had on Crispian's day.'
Old men forget; yet all shall be forgot,
But he'll remember, with advantages,
What feats he did that day. Then shall our names,
Familiar in his mouth as household words-
Harry the King, Bedford and Exeter,
Warwick and Talbot, Salisbury and Gloucester-
Be in their flowing cups freshly rememb'red.
This story shall the good man teach his son;
And Crispin Crispian shall ne'er go by,
From this day to the ending of the world,
But we in it shall be remembered-
We few, we happy few, we band of brothers;
For he to-day that sheds his blood with me
Shall be my brother; be he ne'er so vile,
This day shall gentle his condition;
And gentlemen in England now-a-bed
Shall think themselves accurs'd they were not here,
And hold their manhoods cheap whiles any speaks
That fought with us upon Saint Crispin's day.
1. Where does Henry make his “St. Crispin’s Day” speech?
A) Harfleur
B) Agincourt
C) Paris
D) Warwickshire
2. According to the excerpt, why are the king’s officers initially discouraged?
A) They will have to fight on St. Crispin’s Day.
B) They know many of their men are too afraid to fight.
C) They are greatly outnumbered by the French.
D) They doubt the king is able to lead them.
3. Based on the excerpt, what is the main idea of the king’s speech?
A) The English army has more men coming to fight the French.
B) A good leader is important in battle.
C) Fighting on St. Crispin’s Day will bring good luck.
D) Honor is to be gained in the battle.
Why does the king repeatedly refer to Crispin?
A) to compare himself to a saint
B) to give his speech a holy tone
C) to persuade the men that their heroism will never be forgotten
D) to prepare the soldiers for the fact that they might be killed