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| Character | Third Messanger | |
|---|---|---|
| Gender | Male | |
| Age Range(s) | Teenager (13-19), Young Adult (20-35) | |
| Type of monologue / Character is | Descriptive, Reminiscing life story/Telling a story | |
| Type | Dramatic | |
| Period | Renaissance | |
| Genre | Historical, Drama | |
| Description | A messanger describes Talbot's battle | |
| Details | ACT 1 Scene 1 | |
Summary
This is the first scene of the play. Henry V has just died. Bedford, Gloucester, Exeter, Warwick, Winchester and Somerset mourn the late king and praise his achievements, among which his conquest of French territory.
As the king's coffin is carried out three messengers arrive with bad news from France. The first messenger tells them the French have recaptured several cities. The second messenger tells them that Charles, the Dauphin of France, has become king of France.
The third messenger delivers the first monologue of the play as he describes the battle fought by Talbot, an English general, and the French. The messenger argues that Talbot, even if outnumbered, faced the French with courage. They couldn't defeat him until the coward Sir John Fastolf deserted him, causing Talbot's defeat and capture.
As the king's coffin is carried out three messengers arrive with bad news from France. The first messenger tells them the French have recaptured several cities. The second messenger tells them that Charles, the Dauphin of France, has become king of France.
The third messenger delivers the first monologue of the play as he describes the battle fought by Talbot, an English general, and the French. The messenger argues that Talbot, even if outnumbered, faced the French with courage. They couldn't defeat him until the coward Sir John Fastolf deserted him, causing Talbot's defeat and capture.
Written by Administrator
| Excerpt |
|---|
| Third Mess. O, no! wherein Lord Talbot was o'erthrown: The circumstance I'll tell you more at large. The tenth of August last this dreadful lord, Retiring from the siege of Orleans, Having full scarce six thousand in his troop, By three-and-twenty thousand of the French Was round encompassed and set upon. No leisure had he to enrank his men; He wanted pikes to set before his archers; Instead whereof sharp stakes pluck'd out of hedges They pitched in the ground confusedly, To keep the horsemen off from breaking in. More than three hours the fight continued; Where valiant Talbot above human thought Enacted wonders with his sword and lance. Hundreds he sent to hell, and none durst stand him; Here, there, and every where, enrag'd he flew: The French exclaim'd the devil was in arms; All the whole army stood agaz'd on him. His soldiers, spying his undaunted spirit, A Talbot! A Talbot! cried out amain, And rush'd into the bowels of the battle. Here had the conquest fully been seal'd up, If Sir John Fastolfe had not play'd the coward. He, being in the vaward, - plac'd behind, With purpose to relieve and follow them, - Cowardly fled, not having struck one stroke. Hence grew the general wrack and massacre; Enclosed were they with their enemies. A base Walloon, to win the Dauphin's grace, Thrust Talbot with a spear into the back; Whom all France, with their chief assembled strength, Durst not presume to look once in the face. |
