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Henry V

Approaching Shakespeare

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The Chorus to Act Five in Shakespeare's Ajinkor

The chorus to act five in the folio text makes an illusion which is very unusual for Shakespeare. It's a reference to a contemporary event the Earl of Essex's huge expedition to quell what the English called the Irish rebellion. By the time Essex returns in September 1599 it's clear that his military campaign had been a failure. The future conditional were now the general of our gracious empress Elizabeth as in good time he made from Ireland coming bringing rebellion broached on his sword. How many would the peaceful city quit to welcome him much more and much more cause did they this hurry so how to imagine what it would be like when when Henry gets back after Ajinkor think what it would

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