Henry V Characters

Son of King Charles VI and Queen Isabel, the Dauphin is cocky and vengeful, sending Henry V the box of tennis balls to mock him and dismissing England as a feeble power. He is captured during the Battle of Agincourt.

An irascible common soldier who steals and lies his way through the war and plans to steal and lie back in England.

Introducer of each of the play’s acts, summarizer of off-stage events, and frequent apologist for the theater’s limits in its ability to portray historical events.

King of France. King Charles lacks the hot temper of his son the Dauphin and treats the English with moderation and caution. After the Battle of Agincourt, he agrees to all of Henry’s demands during peace negotiations and gives Henry his daughter Katherine in marriage.

A Welsh officer in Henry V’s army, Fluellen pontificates at length about the Roman disciplines of war but is nevertheless courageous, loyal, and committed. He speaks with a thick Welsh accent.

An English archbishop and advisor to Henry V who convinces the king that his claim to France is God-given. In doing so, Canterbury hopes to (and does) divert the passage of a bill that would seize church property and give it to the king.

The previous page to Falstaff who laments the low morals of his new masters Pistol, Nym, and Bardolph. Boy is killed in the French defectors’ attack on the English camp.

Queen of France and wife of King Charles, Queen Isabel blesses the marriage between Katherine and Henry V, hoping it will eliminate future conflict between England and France.

Henry V’s uncle and advisor who conveys Henry’s refusal to surrender to King Charles.

An English earl whose professed wish for reinforcements at the Battle of Agincourt inspires Henry V to make a rousing speech.

An English bishop who supports the Archbishop of Canterbury’s case before Henry V.

A conspirator against Henry V. Scroop was closest to the king and Henry V thus finds his treason the most painful.

The best friend and mentor to Henry V during Henry’s wild youth, Henry dropped Falstaff when he became king. Heartbroken, Falstaff dies at the beginning of the play and never appears onstage.

Henry V’s cousin, whose death during the Battle of Agincourt, as recounted by Exeter, brings Henry to tears.

A conspirator against Henry V.

A conspirator against Henry V.

A drunken common soldier and friend of Falstaff who is executed for stealing during the campaign against France.

A common soldier executed for stealing.

Pistol’s wife who defends Falstaff’s character and was at one time engaged to Nym.

A commander in Henry V’s army who lends Henry the cloak Henry uses as a disguise.

A French duke who helps negotiate the peace treaty between King Charles and Henry V.

A French herald who Henry V asks the name of and tips for his services.

Governor of the town of Harfleur who surrenders to Henry V.

A French officer who joins the Dauphin in his cocky boastfulness and mockery of England.

A French duke who joins the Dauphin in his cocky boastfulness and mockery of England.

An English officer in Henry V’s army.

A Scottish officer in Henry V’s army, he speaks with a thick Scotch accent.

An Irish officer in Henry V’s army, he speaks with a thick Irish accent.

A common soldier who Henry V argues with while in disguise.

A common soldier who Henry V meets while in disguise.

Katherine’s lady-in-waiting.

Deliverers of the Dauphin‘s warning and the box of tennis balls to Henry V.

Henry V’s younger brother.

Henry V’s younger brother.

An English earl.

An English earl and a general.

A French duke.

A French duke.

A French lord.

A French lord.

A British lord.

A British lord.

A French lord.