Henry V 'once more unto the breach'

Once more unto the breach, dear friends, once more,
Or close the wall up with our English dead.
In peace there's nothing so becomes a man
As modest stillness and humility,
But when the blast of war blows in our ears,
Then imitate the action of the tiger.
Stiffen the sinews, summon up the blood,
Disguise fair nature with hard-favoured rage.
Then lend the eye a terrible aspect,
Let pry through the portage of the head
Like the brass cannon, let the brow o'erwhelm it
As fearfully as doth a galled rock
O'erhang and jutty his confounded base,
Swilled with the wild and wasteful ocean.
Now set the teeth and stretch the nostril wide,
Hold hard the breath, and bend up every spirit
To his full height. On, on, you noblest English,
Whose blood is fet from fathers of war-proof,
Fathers that like so many Alexanders
Have in these parts from morn till even fought
And sheathed their swords for lack of argument.
Dishonour not your mothers; now attest
That those whom you called fathers did beget you.
Be copy now to men of grosser blood,
And teach them how to war. And you, good yeomen,
Whose limbs were made in England, show us here
The mettle of your pasture; let us swear
That you are worth your breeding- which I doubt not,
For there is none of you so mean and base
That hath not noble lustre in your eyes.
I see you stand like greyhounds in the slips,
Straining upon the start. The game's afoot.
Follow your spirit, and upon this charge
Cry 'God for Harry, England, and Saint George!'

1. Find and Highlight where these techniques are used:

Repetition

Inclusive language

Alliteration

Metaphor

2. Answer the following Questions (use quotes where applicable):

What characteristics does King Henry say are best for men in times of PEACE?

Modest, stillness and humility.

What should men be like in war?

They should be tough and strong in battle and should not be afraid of anything." when the blast of war blows in our ears, then imitate the action of the tiger.Stiffen the sinews, summon up the blood, disguise fair nature with hard-favoured rage."

What does Henry say about the English and their ancestors?

That they have fought many battles with many lives lost "Whose blood is fet from fathers of war-proof"

What does he mean when he says 'Be copy now to men of grosser blood.'?

He means to be like their fathers: strong, brave and noble and win the war.

What is Henry saying you have to become in order to be successful in war?

You have to be like an animal and have no fear.