# Scene IV explained — Henry V

> Chapter companion for Henry V by William Shakespeare.

## What happens

Princess Katherine takes a French-to-English language lesson with her attendant Alice, learning the names of body parts. She practices pronunciation and expresses concern over words that sound improper in French, before concluding the lesson.

## Themes in this chapter

### Language and Communication

The entire scene is a language lesson, highlighting the barriers and efforts to bridge communication between the English and French, as well as the comic misunderstandings that arise from translation.

## Character check-ins

### Princess Katherine

Katherine diligently learns English words for body parts from Alice, showing both enthusiasm and modesty about certain terms.

### Alice

Alice patiently instructs Katherine in English pronunciation and vocabulary, correcting her gently and praising her progress.

## Key lines

> Comment appelez-vous la main en Anglois?

What do you call the hand in English?

_Katherine begins her English lesson by asking for the word for 'hand'._

> De foot et de coun! O Seigneur Dieu! ce sont mots de son mauvais, corruptible, gros, et impudique, et non pour les dames d'honneur d'user

'Foot' and 'gown'! Oh Lord God! These are words of bad sound, corrupt, gross, and immodest, and not for ladies of honor to use.

_Katherine is shocked to discover that the English words for 'foot' and 'gown' sound like vulgar French words, showing her sensitivity to propriety._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/henry_v_se/chapters/act-iii-scene-iv
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/henry_v_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/henry_v_se/chapters