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EXAMINATION PAPERS.

[The following series of questions are drawn up as Specimen Papers for the Civil Service, the University Local, and other Examinations.]

A.

1. What contrast has Shakespeare drawn between the French and English armies on the eve of the battle of Agincourt?

2. What are the allusions to Scotland in the play?

3. Comment on these passages:

(a) Consideration, like an angel, came, and whipped the offending Adam out of him.

(b) The air, a chartered libertine, is still.

(c) He's in Arthur's bosom, if ever man went to Arthur's bosom. A' made a finer end, and went away an it had been any cristom child.

(d) 'Tis a hooded valour, and when it appears it will bate.

(e) The farced title running 'fore the king.

(f) So that the art and practic part of life

Must be the mistress to this theoric:

Which is a wonder, how his grace should glean it,

Since his addiction was to courses vain:

His companies unletter'd, rude, and shallow.

4. Briefly remark upon some of the grammatical peculiarities in Shakespeare, and quote instances of them from this play.

5. Explain: The roaring devil i the old play; for he hath stolen a pax, and hanged must a' be.

B.

1. What was the nature of Henry V.'s claim to the throne of France, and what special motive had he in asserting it at the commencement of his reign?

2. How far does this play illustrate the state of home affairs in the early part of Henry V.'s reign?

3. Describe the dying scene of Falstaff.

4. By whom, and of whom, were these lines spoken? Explain the allusions:

(a)

France hath in thee found out

A nest of hollow bosoms.

(b) A good soft pillow for that good white head
Were better than a churlish turf of France.

(c) And 'a babbled of green fields.

(d) Thou that didst bear the key of all my counsels.
(e) And a true lover of the holy church.

(f) We do not mean the coursing snatchers only.
(g) The king himself will be a clipper.

5. Quote instances where Shakespeare plays upon words.

C.

1. Give the reference in the play which partly determines the date of its production.

2. Explain the following phrases: So idly king'd; King Lewis his satisfaction; a many of our bodies; we speak upon our cue; on point of fox; that nook-shotten isle; this wooden O; that is my rest.

3. Explain the allusions in these passages:

(a) The law Salique that they have in France.
(b) To kill us here in Hampton.

(c) This day is called-the Feast of Crispian.
(d) O not to-day, think not upon the fault
My father made in compassing the crown.
(e) But taken and impounded as a stray
The king of Scots.

(f) The emperor's coming in behalf of France.

4. In what sense does Shakespeare use these words? Give instances: Enlarge; flesh'd; argument; husbandry; rub; trumpet; she; hilding; quick; consign; let; shog; bottom; condition; battle; instance.

5. Explain: Tike, linstock; gimmal bit; point of fox; curtle - axe; cursorary; buxom; rivage; sternage; pax; whiffler; corporal; ancient.

D.

1. Trace the whole course of Henry's expedition, and give a short account of the state of things at the court of France.

2. Sketch the character of Fluellen.

3. What was a chorus? To what extent has Shakespeare employed it in King Henry V.?

4. Paraphrase, and add brief notes explaining the allusions :

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The vasty fields of France? or may we cram
Within this wooden O the very casques
That did affright the air at Agincourt?

O, pardon! since a crooked figure may
Attest in little place a million;

And let us, ciphers to this great accompt,
On your imaginary forces work.

(b) While that the armed head doth fight abroad,

The advised head defends itself at home;

For government, through high, and low, and lower,
Put into parts, doth keep in one consent;
Congreeing in a full and natural close,

Like music.

(c) In answer of which claim, the prince our master
Says that you savour too much of your youth,
And bids you be advis'd there's nought in France,
That can be with a nimble galliard won;

You cannot revel into dukedoms there.

He therefore sends you, meeter for your spirit,
This sum of treasure; and in lieu of this

Desires you let the dukedoms that you claim
Hear no more of you.

5. Give the derivation and Shakespearian meaning of these words: Achieve; affiance; exhale; deracinate; invention; proportions; puissance; resolved; security; speculation; vaward; umbered; legerity.

Edinburgh:

Printed by W. & R. Chambers.

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