Category: Henry IV Part 1

Henry V, War Criminal?

bh-cover-henry-v-war-criminal ‘… like Olivier, Branagh ducked what is the most contentious element in the play for British audiences, namely Henry’s apparently criminal massacre of his helpless French prisoners …’

John Sutherland

 

 

I bought this book, which arrived today, on the strength of the fun I had with another of John Sutherland’s: ‘Is Heathcliffe a Murderer?  Puzzles in 19th-Century Fiction.’

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Ever felt that someone wasn’t paying attention?

joe-armstrong

Farewell, kinsman. I’ll talk to you
When you are better tempered to attend.
Shakespeare – as ever – is able to pin that frustration down more adeptly than anyone!  One of the best things about studying – or teaching – literature is that great writers can express your feelings better than you can.  Simple as.  And it is comforting to feel that other people have been in the same position as you have, it really is …

 

I finished off the day with a brief, but heated, conversation with someone who I felt was not giving me an opportunity to defend or explain myself.  It was all very accusatory.  They asked me a few peremptory questions, barked a little, a lot actually – quite like a dog who wanted to feel they’d made their presence felt when the postman arrives – and I retreated from the situation, as it seemed pointless to hang around.  Like that postman, I was irritated, but a tiresome yappy dog isn’t going to spoil the rest of my day …

Continue reading “Ever felt that someone wasn’t paying attention?”