Instructor: Jeff Nelson

What is Shakespeare’s—and ultimately the audience’s—view of Henry V? A patriot or a bloody imperialist? A true public figure or a master manipulator? Is his violence a justified act of war or the mark of a man out of control? In his statement that a king “is but a man,” does he exhibit self-awareness or is he merely self-satisfied? We will explore these questions and more by closely reading the text and viewing some performances on DVD.