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Henry V By William Shakespeare Research Paper

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The Unseen Narrator In Henry V, William Shakespeare utilizes the character of the chorus to narrate the play, and challenge the audience’s imagination. Due to the subject matter of the play, it is hard to present it in the way it deserves, which the chorus address. The chorus helps the audience follow along with the play by using descriptive language to make certain events com to life in the imaginations of the play-goers. Without the chorus, the play would be much more confusing. At the beginning of each act, the chorus sets the scene, comments on the actions going on as the play is progressing, and helps identify important themes. This was clearly Shakespeare’s intention for this character. The chorus forms the audience’s view on King …show more content…

Or may we cram Within this wooden O the very casques
 hat did affright the air at Agincourt? (Prologue.12-15)
Here, the chorus complains about the size of the theatre when they say “or may we cram within this wooden O the very casques…” It is, indeed, impossible to fit thousands of actors into one theatre. Therefore, the chorus repeatedly asks us to use our imaginations to make up for what cannot be put onto the stage. “Think, when we talk of horses, that you see them…” (Prologue 27-28) Thankfully, Shakespeare writes in vivid lines of poetry so that the audience can completely imagine horses break across enemy lines, with determined soldiers jeering and shouting into the fields of France.

With their announcements, explanations, and appeals to the audience, the chorus acts as a narrator who leads everyone through the play and scene changes: "Carry them [the kings] here and there, jumping o'er times" (1.29). Shakespeare rarely uses a unified authority to narrate his masterpieces, but the question has to be raised, why a chorus? In Henry V, the chorus is not part of the world in which the play is set. This seems to be the reason why shakespeare chose this specific character to be the narrator. In the prologue to act 4 the chorus narrates king henry’s arrival at the english camp on the night of battle. Some people say that the chorus is non essential to the play, but without the chorus, it would be much harder to follow along

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