Act 1 of Henry V runs 451 lines across 3 scenes, carrying about 14.0% of the play’s total dialogue with 7 named speakers. It’s shorter than the play’s average act (646 lines).
Act opens (Scene 0, Chorus): “O for a Muse of fire, that would ascend”
Act closes (Scene 2, King Henry V): “That this fair action may on foot be brought.”
The 3 scenes of Act 1
Who speaks in Act 1
The leading voice is Canterbury with 49% of Act 1’s dialogue (223 lines).
| Character | Lines in act | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Canterbury ♂ | 223 | 49.4% |
| King Henry V ♂ | 120 | 26.6% |
| Chorus ♂ | 34 | 7.5% |
| Ely ♂ | 27 | 6.0% |
| First Ambassador ♂ | 17 | 3.8% |
| Exeter ♂ | 16 | 3.5% |
| Westmoreland ♂ | 14 | 3.1% |
About Act 1 of Henry V
How many lines are in Act 1 of Henry V?
451 lines spread across 3 scenes.
Who dominates Act 1?
Canterbury delivers 49% of the act’s dialogue (223 lines).