Becket's Motives

Hotspur, on the other hand, is always seen as "honorable" even though he has caused this whole war; there is no way, therefore, for anyone to correctly say what brings honor and what dishonors. The second time the word "honor" appears in the play, it is on the lips of Hotspur, who is damning the King and urging his father and Worcester to "redeem / [their] banish'd honors and [to] restore [them]selves..." (I, iii). The reader can easily see Shakespeare's notion that the concept of honor and its embodiment seldom come together in the reality of a single person—certainly the way that Hotspur wants his father and uncle to redeem themselves (by dethroning the king) is not very honorable, yet his honor is from battles won in the king's name. So despite his treasonous thoughts, his honor from battle remains with him for the rest of his life, as even the prince calls him "valiant." (V, i) Both Hotspur and the King believed in the undegenerate chivalric conception of honor, which was a lofty one. Under it, trial by battle, and war, became religious affairs. Hotspur also talks of "honor" as a symbol for a trophy of victory: he

In the book, “Queen Eleanor” by Polly Schoyer Brooks, it discusses the uncanny relationship between King Henry and Thomas Becket. It starts when Henry appoints Becket to the role of archbishop. Ultimately, it ends with Henry accidently giving an order to his knights to kill Becket for treason. Nonetheless, Becket was correct in believing his faithfulness in the church came before the King, because of how overwhelmingly prominent religion was to the people’s lives, Henry gave Becket the role directly, and Henry didn’t care that it would ruin their friendship because Henry was so power hungry.

In the oration, Speech to the Virginia Convention, Patrick Henry, a passionate politician, beseeches House of Burgesses to go to war against England and finally be free from such a controlling country. He develops this claim by first introducing himself and his character by using ethos, then asking rhetorical questions to further his point and try to convince the audience to be more optimistic, and finally by using imagery to explain that they no longer have a choice and they must be prepared for the war. Henry’s purpose is to persuade the House of Burgesses to fight against Great Britain in order to gain independence and no longer be a part of a toxic country. He established a passionate and grave tone for the representatives of Virginia to

    Preceding the American Revolution, the colonists were in a dilemma about whether they should amend relationships with British or declare independence.  One of the patriotic leaders in America, Patrick Henry, shifts the balance of the colonists' decisions towards independence in his speech at the Virginia Convention.  Through parallelism, metaphors, rhetorical questions, and religious appeal, Patrick Henry conveys that the British are treating the colonists poorly and that the Americans should fight for independence.

Henry V, a play narrating King Henry V’s journey to invading the French throne and take what is ‘rightfully’ his. The five act drama had been written by William Shakespeare, whose work had consisted of unrivalled plays and poems. This play, acts as a sequel to Henry IV, viewing Henry’s drastic growth from a reckless Prince to an unforgettable King. Like many other plays, Henry V consists of many major themes that shape the story; one being betrayal. This essay will further discuss the theme of betrayal and its impact on the play.

   Anouilh's Becket offers the story of the relationship between Thomas Becket and Henry II, King of England.  The relationship begins with the two being fun-loving and teasing friends, develops into a rough-and-tumble relationship, and then ends in cold hatred.  Because he will not give in to his demands Henry has Becket executed in Canterbury Cathedral.  Becket had been Henry's friend and loyal supporter until he became Archbishop of Canterbury.  At that point, he was determined his first loyalty was due God and not Henry even though he had supported Henry against the church previously.  Becket fled to France in exile before returning to Canterbury where Henry had four barons murder him.  It was

Mazzeno is President Emeritus of Alvernia University, an author of nine books, and a renowned editor for Masterplots: Salem Press. His article evaluates themes and dramatic devices that expound on the plot, and he discusses the author, Bolt, and the parallels found in his many works.  According to Mazzeno, one of the underlying themes is “the universal qualities Bolt hopes to suggest in the drama.”  Bolt achieves this goal through the use of certain symbols.  He explains that “the image of the river becomes a symbol of the current events that sweep most men along.”  Thomas More represents the land that opposes the river and acts as the only obstacle to Henry’s selfish and immoral intentions.  Mazzeno also identifies the symbolism of the falcon and the heron during the King’s hunting trip.  The description of the falcon and the heron “is an ominous foreshadowing” of the moral struggle to come between King Henry and Thomas More.  Although the article does not mention the broader representation of Bolt’s play as a whole, its descriptiveness in explaining the different individual symbols and their importance provides strong evidence that supports my

In the play “Henry V”, William Shakespeare, to a strong extent, seeks to evoke nationalistic fervour. In the play, this patriotic sentiment is often used to display one’s sense of pride and belonging in what they may believe to be the best country and is often manipulated by the main characters to influence one’s emotions. This sense of patriotism is expressed through the Archbishop’s statement towards Henry to invade France, the prosecution of the three traitors who were set out to kill King Henry and the use of nationalistic fervour by King Henry to motivate the English soldiers into war against France,

King Henry IV must also contend with his son, Prince Hal, who’s not the honorable prince he had hoped him to be. He feels it is “an honorable spoil” not to have “a son who is the theme of honor’s tongue,” when he learns of Northumberland’s son Hotspur’s victories, which, should be “a conquest for a prince to boast of” (1.1.74,80, & 76). Pangs of jealousy strike Henry’s heart caused by the differences between his son and Northumberland’s. So much so, he wishes “it could be proved that” someone, or something, “had exchanged in cradle clothes, their sons at birth” (1.1.85-87).

The options for Beck Orr is to enroll her in gifted/honors classes that is going to challenge her academically. In addition, too challenging her, research intrinsic and extrinsic motivations at home and at school to keep her interested in wanting to progress her knowledge. Lastly, create goals that are going to keep Beck interested/motivated in learning.

St Thomas Becket (December 21, 1118 – December 29, 1170) was Archbishop of Canterbury from 1162 to 1170. He engaged in a conflict with King Henry II over the rights and privileges of the Church and was assassinated by followers of the king in Canterbury Cathedral.

William Shakespeare alludes to the Bible in Hamlet constantly because many of the characters, including Claudius and Hamlet, are experiencing a personal crisis concerning sin. Claudius prays, “O, my offence is rank it smells to heaven;/ It hath the primal eldest curse upon ‘t,/ A brother’s murder.” The reflection made by Claudius to the killing of his brother, an allusion to the biblical story of “Cain and Able,” is influential because it captures the importance and failure of religion present during the play’s depicted period of time. Pamela Ronson, a Professor at Yale, states, “[Claudius] asks God for forgiveness, yet knows he does not merit it, since he cannot commit to penance for his crime. His prayers are empty: while he may repent breaking the sixth commandment by murdering his brother (a direct reference to Cain & Able), he refuses to preform any penance for it because of his pride (a Deadly sin)” (11). Religion proves important to Claudius because he does decide to reach out in prayer, but religion

Chaucer has created many characters in the Canterbury tales that he likes and many he dislikes. He is a very critical and detailed writer about these characters. With these characters, Chaucer has created real life issues with religious figures. Chaucer’s has showed how good religious figures can be and how corrupt they can be as well.

In Henry V, Shakespeare clearly shows that powerful speech and eloquent rhetoric is more effective in times of war than threat of sharp swords and numerous soldiers. King Henry V - the young and bright king of England - establishes himself as a devout leader to his country and his people. Throughout the story he demonstrates his ability to articulate in order to manipulate his audience, whether it be commoners, enemies, or friends. After an argument with the Dauphin of France over land claims, Henry gathers an army to invade French territory. Following a surprising march through the country against all odds, the king and his soldiers find themselves in a five to one battle, destined to fall defeated. The character of King Henry is exemplified

A successful monarchy relies upon a stable leader who is concerned with the satisfaction of those he rules over. Henry Bolingbroke the IV in Shakespeare's Henry the IV Part I follows a trend set by his predecessor in Richard II of self-indulgence and neglect of his kingdom. These leaders worry about the possibility of losing their kingdom or their soldiers to other nobles who were also concerned more with obtaining a higher position rather than governing. The king must also be wary of his own life, something that was once revered and guarded closely by other nobles. Wars once fought for gaining or protecting land are overshadowed by personal battles fighting for the position of king.