Shakespeare's Henry V: Chorus to Act Four.

A shot at one of the great passages in 'Henry V' by Mr.W.S.

ACT FOUR.
CHORUS.
Now entertain conjecture of a time
when creeping murmur and the poring dark
fills the wide vessel of the universe.

From camp to camp through the foul womb of night
the hum of either army stilly sounds,
that the fixed sentinels almost receive
the secret whispers of each other's watch:
fire answers fire, and through their paly flames
each battle sees the other's umber'd face;
steed threatens steed, in high and boastful neighs
piercing the night's dull ear, and from the tents
the armourers, accomplishing the knights,
with busy hammers closing rivets up,
give dreadful note of preparation:
the country cocks do crow, the clocks do toll,
and the third hour of drowsy morning name.

Proud of their numbers and secure in soul,
the confident and over-lusty French
do the low-rated English play at dice;
and chide the cripple tardy-gaited night
who, like a foul and ugly witch, doth limp
so tediously away. The poor condemned English,
like sacrifices, by their watchful fires
sit patiently and inly ruminate
the morning's danger, and their gesture sad
investing lank-lean cheeks and war-worn coats
presenteth them unto the gazing moon
so many horrid ghosts. O now, who will behold
the royal captain of this ruin'd band
walking from watch to watch, from tent to tent,
let him cry 'Praise and glory on his head!'
For forth he goes and visits all his host.
Bids them good morrow with a modest smile
and calls them brothers, friends and countrymen.
Upon his royal face there is no note
how dread an army hath enrounded him;
nor doth he dedicate one jot of colour
unto the weary and all-watched night,
but freshly looks and over-bears attaint
with cheerful semblance and sweet majesty;
that every wretch, pining and pale before,
beholding him, plucks comfort from his looks:
a largess universal like the sun
his liberal eye doth give to every one,
thawing cold fear, that mean and gentle all,
behold, as may unworthiness define,
a little touch of Harry in the night.

And so our scene must to the battle fly;
where--O for pity!--we shall much disgrace
with four or five most vile and ragged foils,
right ill-disposed in brawl ridiculous,
the name of Agincourt. Yet sit and see,
Minding true things by what their mockeries be.

http://www.fredthread.net/blog
comment from 15.10.09
The plays I've had close contact with were only seven in number. I would be wonderful to do have done more. They were these: The Merchant at Watford Playhouse, Henry IV part 2, playng Fang for the BBC Shakespeare series, Much Ado in an extensive open air tour playing Don Pedro and Verges, Playing Demetrius in MSND directed by Stephen Berkoff, then co-directing the play at the Old Vic with it's Youth theatre - two bites of that cherry - and also Henry V playing Cambridge and Grandpre before drama school and then directing it at Ludlow; then directing Measure for Measure at The City Lit and Hoxton, The Shrew at Ludlow and again at RADA.

Category:

Education

Tags:

• Shakespeare
• Henry V Chorus Act Four
• Before the battle
• Live performance
• Classic blank verse
• poetry
• Agincourt

[XDancethrulifeX]

I'm doing this in my scene study class as a classical monologue for my final in a couple weeks.  Any tips?

[Caspar33]

@XDancethrulifeX R U on stage or in a classroom. How big is the audience? Any say on the lighting? What will you wear?

[acechadwick]

In the last four lines what is Shakespeare trying to say? Is he mocking the players trying to stage the battle scene? I am playing Chorus and need to know how to best interpret this. Thanks Caspar. Great reading!

[Caspar33]

@acechadwick Hi, no its definitely CHARM offensive. He (Chorus and Shakespeare himself) still apologising for the ridiculous means at his disposal to present such an huge, epic story. Just a few actors and a bare wooden stage! In fact, if I may be so bold, I'd say that IS the key. To say how terribly sorry you are, on behalf of the company, that you are attempting to do the impossible but of course as long as 'YOU' the audience, use your magick IMAGINATION then things wont be quite so bad!! OK?

[Caspar33]

@Caspar33 Forget taking the credit rather concentrate on using all that marvellous blank verse to astonish, thrill and charm your audiences. I envy you! Best of luck. I did an open-air production as director to 1,000 a night + in a

medieval castle in Shropshire. The most astonishing performance was when it rained most of the way thro' the show. Added something extraordinary to the battle scenes. The audience by the way had all brought their hats and umbrellas.

[XalmostbrokenX]

Loving the little head wobble at 2:20 XD Well spoken! Good recital my dear sir!

[Caspar33]

@XalmostbrokenX Cheers. Kind of you to say.

[XDancethrulifeX]

@Caspar33 It's a black box stage. There will be about 50 people in the audience. I don't get to do anything with the lighting but I am working on a costume.

[acechadwick]

I am also doing an open air performance. Not so far from you (Wirral)

Glad that the rain actually may enhance the performance. I'm sure it will pour down on one of the nights!

No need for envy Caspar. Just do it again yourself.. And thank you for the good wishes.

[acechadwick]

@Caspar33 Thank you! I see.

Along the same lines as "That have dared on this unworthy scaffold to bring forth so great an object"

I like that "CHARM offensive" and I will of course steal that phrase and take full credit for it!

Thanks for getting back so promptly. Much appreciated.

Jan

[VENUZZA]

just beautiful