Rallying the troopsMonday 11th June

Imagine: you are the England manager.It is half time against France. Things are not going so well. In your half time speech, what tactics would you employ to try to get the England players motivated? With the person next to

you, consider this for a couple of minutes before we share our thoughts.

Henry V (The fifth) is a play by William Shakespeare loosely based on historical records of King Henry v.

The play tells of Henry’s English army battling against the French.

However, all was not right in the England camp…

The English were not given a chance.

The proud French were considered moreskilled…

More cultured…

Moresophisticated…

In factmore

everything,the English were

outnumbered5 to 1!

Before an important battle, King Henry delivered one of the most famous inspirational speeches of all time…

Expectations were at an all time low…

Sound familiar?

They needed their leader to motivate them.. Inspire them!

Before we see the whole speech on the page…

Lines in Shakespeare’s plays were NOT meant to be read on the page, they were meant to be heard.

Only through seeing people speak these lines can we realise the impact that they must have had.

Henry V’s speech has been used in a number of films, adverts and even songs

We’re going to watch snippets of the speech being used:

Firstly, in a BBC World Cup 2010 promotional video and then for a 2010 unofficial World Cup song

As you are watching it, you will be handed a copy of the whole speech and you will see that not all lines from the speech are used… This is editing, cutting Shakespeare’s lines down to make it fit where you want.

Click here to view speech if needed to view or download/print

This famous speech has been used before –check out this BBC advert from the last World Cup before the “must win” match for England vsSlovenia (They didn’t…)

Shakespeare is very flexible – sometimes lines can be missed out or words changed: see how Rik Mayall gives lines a football twist in his 2010 unofficial World Cup song:“Once more onto the pitch dear friends once more!”

Remember: This is meant to be spoken, so concentrate on how each line could be said. Defiantly? Softly? Fiercely?Is one person going to say it or the whole group?

Rallying the troops –Promotional video

TASK: Now it’s your turn to chop this speech up!

Your group task is to plan a new inspirational advert for the England football team or Team GB at London 2012 using at least 5 lines or phrases from Henry V’s speech.

Some examples…1. Jessica Ennis

I see you stand like

greyhounds in the

slips straining upon

the start. Follow your

spirit

Cry for England and Saint George!

See how you can give

Shakespeare’s words a whole new meaning?

When the blast of war blows…

Imitate the action of

the

tiger

On! On! You

noblest

English

Some examples2. Wayne Rooney Now it’s

your turn!

Now, let’s see some of your promotional motivational videos!