Question

Read this guided excerpt from the prologue of Shakespeare’s play Henry V, in which King Henry V is referred to as Harry. Which best describes the purpose of this prologue excerpt?

Answer 1

The prologue’s purpose is to prepare and shape the audience’s response — asking them to use their imagination to “fill in” the large-scale scenes the stage cannot show, to forgive theatrical limitations, and to frame Henry (called “Harry”) for the drama to follow (recalling his earlier, more familiar persona while setting him up as the play’s heroic king).