Henry V: Modern English Translation & Study Guide

Read Henry V Side by Side

Every scene pairs the public-domain original with a line-matched, original modern-English paraphrase. Choose a scene below to begin reading.

• Act 1, Scene 0 line-by-line translation — PROLOGUE
• Act 1, Scene 1 line-by-line translation — SCENE I. London. An ante-chamber in the KING'S palace.
• Act 1, Scene 2 line-by-line translation — SCENE II. The same. The Presence chamber.
• Act 2, Scene 0 line-by-line translation — PROLOGUE
• Act 2, Scene 1 line-by-line translation — SCENE I. London. A street.
• Act 2, Scene 2 line-by-line translation — SCENE II. Southampton. A council-chamber.
• Act 2, Scene 3 line-by-line translation — SCENE III. London. Before a tavern.
• Act 3, Scene 0 line-by-line translation — PROLOGUE
• Act 3, Scene 1 line-by-line translation — SCENE I. France. Before Harfleur.
• Act 3, Scene 2 line-by-line translation — SCENE II. The same.
• Act 3, Scene 3 line-by-line translation — SCENE III. The same. Before the gates.
• Act 4, Scene 0 line-by-line translation — PROLOGUE
• Act 4, Scene 1 line-by-line translation — SCENE I. The English camp at Agincourt.
• Act 4, Scene 2 line-by-line translation — SCENE II. The French camp.
• Act 4, Scene 3 line-by-line translation — SCENE III. The English camp.
• Act 5, Scene 0 line-by-line translation — PROLOGUE
• Act 5, Scene 1 line-by-line translation — SCENE I. France. The English camp.
• Act 5, Scene 2 line-by-line translation — SCENE II. France. A royal palace.

Henry V study pathways

• Themes with source-linked quotations and analysis
• Top 10 quotes with modern-English meanings and essay use

Related across the Shake Up Network

Extend this play’s ideas through a connected subject lens.

• Leadership, war & national identity — Shake Up Civics
  Study Henry’s public rhetoric alongside questions of legitimacy, civic duty, and conflict.