Once More unto the Breach, Dear Friends, Once More
Spoken by King Henry, from Henry V
Once more unto the breach, dear friends, once more;
Or close the wall up with our English dead.
We are not the same as those that left the field
and took no war. The enemy is strong;
Our hearts shall be the sword that takes their lives.
We must be the ones who take the life of the world,
and the last ones that shall make the great end.
We shall be the ones that shall be the great king;
And if we are not the last that shall have the great name,
then we shall be the great one that shall take the great name;
For we are the king that shall be the king of all the world,
and we shall be the king that shall be the great name.
Summary of Once More unto the Breach
This powerful speech, delivered by King Henry V in Shakespeare’s play Henry V, serves as a rallying cry to his troops before the siege of Harfleur. Facing a weakened and outnumbered army, Henry understands the gravity of the situation. He presents his soldiers with a stark choice: to make one final, desperate push to breach the city walls or to accept defeat and fill the breach with their own bodies.
The speech contrasts the virtues of peace—modesty and humility—with the ferocious demands of war. Henry urges his men to abandon gentleness and embrace the predatory spirit of a tiger, to summon their strength and rage. He appeals to their national pride, invoking the legacy of their warrior ancestors and challenging them to uphold their honor and prove their lineage.
Ultimately, “Once More unto the Breach” is a masterful display of motivational rhetoric. It is a call to courage, duty, and national identity, designed to inspire even the most weary soldiers to fight on with unwavering resolve. The speech’s enduring popularity lies in its timeless exploration of bravery, leadership, and the psychological demands of warfare.
Analysis of Literary and Poetic Devices Used in “Once More unto the Breach”
Imagery and Metaphor
Shakespeare masterfully uses imagery to paint vivid pictures in the minds of his audience. The opening lines immediately establish a sense of urgency and desperation: “Once more unto the breach, dear friends, once more; or close the wall up with our English dead.” This imagery is stark and unsettling, forcing the soldiers to confront the immediate consequences of failure.
The speech is rich in extended metaphors. War itself is presented as a beastly struggle, prompting the soldiers to “imitate the action of the tiger.” This comparison emphasizes the need for ruthlessness and predatory instinct. The comparison of the brow to a “galled rock” overhanging the ocean creates a powerful visual of imposing strength and unwavering resilience.
Alliteration, Assonance, and Consonance
- Alliteration – the repetition of initial consonant sounds – can be found in phrases like “stiffen the sinews, summon up the blood.” The repeated “s” sounds create a sense of urgency and force.
- Assonance – the repetition of vowel sounds – is subtly woven throughout the speech. Notice the repetition of the short “e” sound in “dear friends, once more.” This creates a sense of connection and intimacy.
- Consonance – the repetition of consonant sounds within words – appears in lines like “Whose blood is fet from fathers of war‑proof!” The repetition of the “f” sound reinforces the poem’s aggressive tone.
Personification and Hyperbole
Shakespeare uses personification to imbue inanimate objects with life and agency. He writes, “let pry through the portage of the head,” giving the brow a predatory quality.
Hyperbole—exaggeration for effect—is also present. The claim that the soldiers’ ancestors “Have in these parts from morn till even fought / And sheathed their swords for lack of argument” is clearly an exaggeration, emphasizing the martial prowess of the English lineage.
Repetition and Parallelism
Repetition is a key rhetorical device used throughout the speech. The repeated phrase “Once more unto the breach” reinforces the urgency of the situation and galvanizes the soldiers to action.
Parallelism—the use of similar grammatical structures—can be seen in lines like “Stiffen the sinews, summon up the blood, / Disguise fair nature with hard‑favour’d rage.” This creates a sense of rhythm and momentum, enhancing the persuasive power of the speech.
Classical Allusion
Shakespeare references the legendary Alexander the Great when he asks the soldiers to live up to the example set by their “fathers…like so many Alexanders.” This allusion connects the English soldiers to a powerful and respected historical figure, inspiring them to emulate his courage and leadership.
Iambic Pentameter and Free Verse
While the speech doesn’t adhere to strict metrical rules, it leans toward iambic pentameter, creating a natural and flowing rhythm. This is evident in lines like “Once more unto the breach, dear friends, once more,” which has five iambs (unstressed, stressed syllable pairs). Shakespeare often deviates from this pattern for emphasis or dramatic effect. The speech can be considered a blend of free verse and controlled rhythm, allowing for both poetic beauty and conversational energy.
Quotes to Ponder
But when the blast of war blows in our ears,
Then imitate the action of the tiger;
Stiffen the sinews, summon up the blood,
Disguise fair nature with hard‑favour’d rage;
Then lend the eye a terrible aspect.
This passage serves as a call to abandon gentleness and embrace the ferocity necessary for victory. It underscores the transformative power of war and the need to tap into primal instincts in the face of danger.
This analysis provides a comprehensive understanding of “Once More unto the Breach,” exploring its themes, literary devices, and enduring legacy. By examining the speech’s intricacies, we can appreciate Shakespeare’s masterful use of language and his ability to create a speech that continues to resonate with audiences centuries later.