![]() Not just a poem when death is staring at you, a poem for when you stare down at the world, one day at a time. ‘Once more unto the breach, dear friends, once more’ is the second most famous speech from Shakespeare’s Henry V, after Henry’s celebrated Crispin’s Day speech. The beauty we see in films such as "unbroken" of a spirit not merely surviving but embracing the day and living even through the worst of conditions. There is meaning in human endurance through the suffering and pain. As many people struggle with even finding a purpose in life as many characters in the film struggled with (holding onto loved ones). In his well-meaning but tortured attempt to paraphrase his English, Henry uses the French word possession to convey that Katharine will possess France as he. Sort of as preparing for the war in the grand scheme of things, but never taking focus away from the battle in front of you. Obviously preparing for tomorrow but not expecting it so as to not carry the weight of the entire world on your shoulders. There's courage in embracing a routine day and just taking it for what it is. Having the courage to do what needs to be done. Waking up to the day and taking on the challenge that's life. I like to think of it as the way we should see life. The game's afoot:Ĭry 'God for Harry, England, and Saint George!'Ī little late to the party. I see you stand like greyhounds in the slips, In peace theres nothing so becomes a man. That you are worth your breeding which I doubt not įor there is none of you so mean and base, Once more unto the breach, dear friends, once more Or close the wall up with our English dead. Whose limbs were made in England, show us here That those whom you call'd fathers did beget you.Īnd teach them how to war. Have in these parts from morn till even foughtĪnd sheathed their swords for lack of argument: Whose blood is fet from fathers of war-proof! Hold hard the breath and bend up every spirit Now set the teeth and stretch the nostril wide, John Colicos first played the Klingon Kor in 'Errand of Mercy', an episode of Star Trek: The Original Series first broadcast in 1967. Swill'd with the wild and wasteful ocean. The title 'Once More unto the Breach' is derived from Shakespeares play Henry V it is one of several Star Trek episodes with titles based on Shakespeare. Like the brass cannon let the brow o'erwhelm it In peace there's nothing so becomes a manīut when the blast of war blows in our ears,ĭisguise fair nature with hard-favour'd rage Or close the wall up with our English dead. The last line of the speech, ‘Cry ‘God for Harry, England, and Saint George!’’, is a rallying cry to his army, for God to support him (Harry is an alternative name for Henry), England (their country) and St George (England’s Patron Saint).Once more unto the breach, dear friends, once more In his speech, Henry is motivating his troops to attack the city again, even if they have to ‘close the wall with English dead’. The breach in question is the gap in the wall of the city of Harfleur. ‘Once more unto the breach’ is the opening line from the speech given by King Henry V, to the English army in France. So, tying the two together – St George and William Shakespeare – on this special day and, given my interest in public speaking and speechcraft, I thought that I would share with you below one of Shakespeare’s most popular speeches, taken from his play, Henry V, Act III, 1598. And, given that he lived c500 years ago, how popular his plays and phrases are still. Wherever I visit in the world, online or offline, I am struck by how well known Shakespeare is. The second reason that today is special is because it is the birthday of one of England’s greatest playwrights, William Shakespeare. To me, it is an image that represents the triumph of good over evil. As the image above depicts, George slays the dragon to save the princess from death. Kit Harington is the latest actor to take on the role in Shakespeare’s history play. ![]() ![]() Today, 23 April, is a special date in the English calendar for two reasons: Firstly, it is St George’s Day St George being the Patron Saint of England. Henry V, Act III, William Shakespeare (1564-1616), English playwright ![]()
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