A Guide to Henry V

The Shakespeare Handbooks provide a helpful, straightforward guide to the work of the world's most celebrated dramatist. Along with a clear, easy-to-follow description of the plot, each book contains plenty of quotations from the text - with simple explanations of any unfamiliar words and phrases - and some thought-provoking comments from critics, past and present.

The Shakespeare Handbooks include a few intriguing Shakespearean facts and figures, too. How old was Shakespeare when he wrote Henry V? Why was the year of Henry V a significant one in Shakespeare's career? How did Shakespeare take a subtle dig at his rival Ben Jonson in the play? Why did the actor Frank Benson create a sensation with his 1897 production of Henry V? What does a 'sutler' do? And a 'whiffler'? What does to 'yield the crow a pudding' mean? What are 'chambers', and why are they dangerous? And when would you need 'Paris-balls'?

If you're apprehensive about approaching a Shakespeare play, the Shakespeare Handbooks provide the perfect introduction. They're ideal for students, theatregoers - in fact, anyone curious to know more about the greatest plays in the English language.

These are a few of the appreciative comments we've received about the Shakespeare Handbooks: "Tremendously useful in helping to understand Shakespeare's works" - Dame Judi Dench. "Very readable, very helpful" - Kenneth Branagh. "The Shakespeare Handbooks open the plays up admirably. Excellent for all levels of reader - everybody will get something from them." - Simon Callow.