“This was the first Chinese language Shakespeare play performed from our Folio Translation Project.” - Royal Shakespeare Company.

 

The Chinese Henry V, jointly translated by the Shanghai Drama Art Center (SDAC) and the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC).

 

Henry V is a history play by William Shakespeare, believed to have been written near 1599. It tells the story of King Henry V of England, focusing on events immediately before and after the Battle of Agincourt (1415) during the Hundred Years' War.

 

Soon after he becomes king, Henry V is considering making a claim to rule France as well as England.

 

 

He asks the Archbishop of Canterbury about how strong his claim is, but it's when the dauphin sends Henry an insulting message that he makes up his mind and decides to invade France.

 

The Battle of Agincourt
The evening before the battle, Henry tours the camp in disguise, finding out what his men think. It leads him to consider the heavy responsibilities of kingship.

 

 

In the French camp, by contrast, confidence is high. As battle begins, Henry rallies his troops and places them all in God's hands.

 

A Victory and a Marriage
An English victory is confirmed, with miraculously small losses. As part of the subsequent treaty, Henry woos and wins Katherine to ensure the linking of the two countries through marriage.