1. Most of the criticism of this play centers on whether Hal has become a good person or a bad person. Consider his unjust war on France along with his ability to save the English from a destructive civil war.

• Is Hal good or bad?
• Does he have the right to perpetrate the actions of this play?

2. Consider the French in this play.

• Are they good or bad?
• Weak or strong?
• Do they deserve what they get?

3. Consider Kate's English language lesson at III, iv.

• Why does she not just hire an interpretor?

4. Why does Shakespeare include the representatives of all the British Commonwealth countries--

• Ireland
• Scotland
• Wales
• England

5. Why does Falstaff die offstage?

• Why are the tavern gang still roaming around in this play?

6. Consider the chorus

• What is the function of the Chorus in this play?
• Is the Chorus honest?

7. Shakespeare's audience would know that Hal died a few years after Agincourt and his son lost most of the French holdings.

• How does this knowledge affect one's perceptions of the play?

8. Why does Hal engage in so much playacting in this play?