We few, we happy few, we band of brothers

[jasonlulu_2000]

We few, we happy few, we band of brothers.

This is from One of the well-known lines from the St. Crispin's Day Speech of Shakespeare's Henry V.

But I cannot make sense of it.

Can you help me out?

thanks

 

[bhaisahab]

We few, we happy few, we band of brothers.

This is from One of the well-known lines from the St. Crispin's Day Speech of Shakespeare's Henry V.

But I cannot make sense of it.

Can you help me out?

thanks

We are few (there are not many of us), we are happy, we are brothers. Not brothers in the sense of family but in the sense of "brothers in arms". (You can look up "brothers in arms".)

 

[BobK]

:up: One thing that may have confused you is the word 'band', which can have many other meanings that would not fit. It is the first in this set of definitions.

b

 

[Tdol]

But I cannot make sense of it.

Have you watched the Kenneth Branagh version? It's on YouTube- watch it and it should become clear. He blows Laurence Olivier away IMO, and the way he voice goes on those words is a great cinematographic moment. Shakespeare's better spoken than read- it comes alive and the bits that are hard to understand on paper somehow make sense.

 

[bhaisahab]

Have you watched the Kenneth Branagh version? It's on YouTube- watch it and it should become clear. He blows Laurence Olivier away IMO, and the way he voice goes on those words is a great cinematographic moment. Shakespeare's better spoken than read- it comes alive and the bits that are hard to understand on paper somehow make sense.

I agree, it's a fantastic performance.