Teaching Shakespeare’s History Plays: War and Leadership through the Eyes of Prince Hal and King Henry V

Abstract

In the Netherlands, literature is part of the English curriculum for HAVO and VWO students. In addition, VWO students are required to have knowledge of historical literature. Although educators all over the world use Shakespeare’s plays as teaching material for various reasons, most of the plays that are used are comedies or tragedies, therefore dismissing the history plays. This thesis will first outline what is expected of students in secondary education in the Netherlands and how this relates to students’ levels of literary competence and attitude towards reading. After this, the reasons for teaching Shakespeare in general and teaching his history plays will be explored. Finally, this thesis will outline a lesson series of 10 lessons on Shakespeare’s history plays with its main focus on the character of Prince Hal/King Henry V. This character will be analysed through the 4 plays of Shakespeare’s second historical tetralogy during which students will be introduced to themes such as leadership and war. During the lesson series, students are expected to think critically, voice their opinions and debate with their peers. Not only are students introduced to Shakespeare’s history play, but they are also introduced to two other Renaissance pieces of writing: Machiavelli’s The Prince and Erasmus’s The Education of a Christian Prince, which are both mirrors for princes. This provides students with two very different points of view on leadership which they can use to form their own opinions.