William Shakespeare is known for his dramatic tragedies, comedies and histories. Many readers are familiar with "Henry V," a play rich in historical dramatic verse. Centered during the battle of Agincourt (1415), the poet speaks through King Henry V to illustrate a theatrical expression of honor and sacrifice in the name of the sovereign, even when facing great odds. The St. Crispen’s Day speech evokes the spirit of medieval kings who ruled by the strength of their convictions. It also asks the audience to weigh loyalty against the high probability of death.
Shakespeare’s dramatic verse is set in historical context to pose a question as to whether mankind’s desire to survive is greater than his loyalty to king and country: “If we are mark'd to die, we are enow / To do our country loss; and if to live, / The fewer men, the greater share of honour." He continues, “We few, we happy few, we band of brothers; / For he today that sheds his blood with me / Shall be my brother; be he ne'er so vile, / This day shall gentle his condition." The famous monologue strikes the audience and pushes them to take sides when it comes to safety and health versus honor and kingly obedience.
Though it is not embedded in a theatrical monologue, "Henry V" continues to define the makeup of a historical dramatic poem by describing the subjective qualities of King Henry -- the poet’s mouthpiece for direct communication to his audience. In Act 3:6 the King’s boyhood friend Bardolph was caught stealing from a church. Ultimately, the king has final say for his friend’s fate and orders him hanged. This draws on the theme of kinship versus friendship embedded within the text. The fact that the king places his duty to God (“yet, forgive me, God … This your air of France” and country over his own personal friendships elevates his true kingship. However, as some audience members might value this, others might shun him for sealing the fate of a lifelong friend.
The chorus in "Henry V" is responsible for continuing the character sketch of the King through the birth of his son. The dramatic poem ends with the chorus saying, “in that small most greatly lived / This star of England: Fortune made his sword; / By which the world's best garden be achieved, / And of it left his son imperial lord. / Henry the Sixth, in infant bands crown'd King / Of France and England … .” According to the Norton Anthology of English Literature, dramatic poetry can contain character sketches that transcend the page to additional continued works via soliloquy and dramatic monologue. That "Henry V" ends questioning the offspring’s ability to continue the traits of his father, the dramatic poem stays true to form.