HENRY V - THE FRENCH

HENRY V - THE FRENCH

Complicated history of royal descent - crown cannot pass through female line (England had a Queen at this time). I.2
Traditional enemy of England. I.2
Dauphin arrogant and feckless - given to sexual mockery (the tennis ball etc.). I.2
Cowards / corrupt "shake in their fear … treacherous … corrupted". II.1
Obsessed with rank / haughty. Lists of high sounding titles. II.3
Dauphin mocks English customs "Whitsun morris-dance" and underestimates Henry "a vain, shallow, humorous, youth". II.4
The older French leaders (King, Constable etc.) do not share this view. II.4
French disorganised. Halfleur surrenders because Dauphin's troops are not ready. III.3
French women charming but flighty and speak French! Speak English with funny accent. Giggle over sexual double meanings. III.4
French see England as dirty, "foggy, raw and dull" full of "Norman bastards" who eat "barely broth". Cannot understand how such fiery people come from such an island. III.5
French see virile English as a sexual threat "our madams will give their bodies to the lust of English youth". III.5
Contrast between the long list of high-ranking French dukes and princes and plain "Harry England" and his army.
French confident of victory. English are "sick and famished". They intend to bring Henry to Rouen as a captive in a chariot. III.5
French over-confident. When Henry executes looters and states that he intends to return home, they demand total surrender.
The night before the battle the French are boastful but argue among themselves. The Constable has "the best armour in the world". The Dauphin has the "best horse in Europe". The Dauphin's constant bragging about his horse leads into a discussion with bizarre sexual undertones. This clearly irritates the others. They mock the English as "mastiffs" full of "beef iron and steel" and boast of the prisoners they will take "by ten we shall have each a hundred Englishmen". They are arrogant, over-confident and disorganised. III.7