Shakespeare’s ‘Henry V’ is known for its rousing speeches and battlefield carnage. But tucked inside the play is one of Shakespeare’s funniest scenes – a reminder of why comic relief matters in any story, writes Dr Erin O’Dwyer
Last week, as wars raged on in Europe and world stock markets began to crumble, I took a brief pause to see Bell Shakespeare’s production of Henry V.
A lesson in language and laughter
Henry Vis a heavy play. Not my favourite. It’s a 400-year-old story about men, and countries, at war – sound familiar? But it contains one of Shakespeare’s most gently comic, and feminine, scenes.
The scene plays out between the French Princess, Katherine, and her maid, Alice. England is threatening to claim victory over France, so Katherine wants to learn the English language. Alice speaks a bit of it – just enough to get her into trouble. As Alice attempts to teach Katherine, the lesson quickly unravels into a comic miscommunication involving words like “finger”, “elbow” and “neck” – spoken in hilarious, heavily accented French.
It’s warm, funny and tender – a moment of comic relief in a play otherwise filled with men, blood and fighting.
A moment of feminine comic relief in a play otherwise filled with men, blood and fighting.
Immortalised on screen and on stage
The scene was immortalised in Kenneth Branagh’s 1989 film adaptation of Henry V, with Emma Thompson playing Katherine. Her performance is delightful – curious and demure one moment, then laugh-out-loud the next.
In the current Bell Shakespeare production – called Henry 5 – Katherine is played by Ava Madon, who delivers the scene with great confidence and comic timing. Dressed in a striking yellow gown – impossible to miss against the men’s combat gear – she lights up the stage. Her portrayal – and Odile Le Clézio’s Alice – reminds us that even in the darkest stories, laughter has a place.
Why comic relief matters
Comic relief is more than about getting a laugh. It’s a vital storytelling tool. It balances out heavy narratives and keeps the audience engaged. Humour, quirky characters, and unexpected levity make stories human.
In my storytelling training, I teach the principle of comic relief. It’s a powerful tool that brings balance to the most serious stories – be they memoirs about tragic, life-changing events or well-researched works of non-fiction. Even the darkest narratives benefit from a laugh – and often it’s the comic moment that lingers long after the drama fades.
No matter which format you’re working in – memoir, fiction, non-fiction, screenwriting, podcasting or brand storytelling – the principle of comic relief applies.
No matter which format you’re working in, the principle of comic relief applies.
Three questions to ask in your storytelling
If you’re writing or editing a story – or creating any project which calls for a narrative arc – ask yourself:
1. Where does my story need a breath of fresh air?
2. How can I bring lightness, humour or unexpected levity to my story?
3. Does my use of comic relief deepen the story rather than distract from it?
A single, well-placed light-hearted scene can turn your story into an unforgettable one.
