Henry V

After reading Machiavelli’s The Prince and watching Shakespeare’s Henry V in class, one begins to notice similarities between the authors’ idea of what a “perfect king” should be. The patterns between the ideal ruler of Shakespeare and the ideal ruler of Machiavelli can be seen in numerous instances throughout this story. For the duration of this essay, I will compare the similarities in both pieces to give the reader a better understanding of how Shakespeare devised his view of what a “perfect king” should be.

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

Shakespeare’s Henry V presents a man transformed from rowdy teenager to righteous king. With the death of Henry’s father, Henry’s “wildness…/Seemed to die too” (1.1.26-27). While Henry has seemingly transformed into a powerful man awarded praise, his actions at times seem morally questionable and disingenuous as he continually deflects blame on others and contradicts his notions for peace. Throughout the play, Henry’s speeches persuade and manipulate audiences as he effectively uses the power of rhetoric to achieve his goals. He has the power to intimidate his enemies, uplift his soldiers, and mold himself into whoever he needs to be. With the change of Henry’s character came a greater title and the responsibility for an entire nation, causing him to abandon his outwardly destructive behavior and dissemble. Shakespeare thus contends that there is a difference between being a good person and a successful leader; national heroism and effective kingship is not necessarily attained through moral actions, but rather through the art of powerful rhetoric and the ability to seem moral and virtuous rather than to be moral and virtuous, thereby mimicking some characteristics of how a successful ruler should appear, as suggested in Machiavelli’s The Prince. While Henry is certainly ruthless at times, his ability to assume the roles necessary for successful leadership is what makes him a great king.

To examine Shakespeare’s exploration of identity as a means of control, it is important to understand what all constitutes each character’s identity. In the case of Henry, for one, it is apparent that the actions of his past alter his perceived identity throughout the play. Before Henry speaks his first lines in the play, the Bishop of Ely calls Henry a “true lover of the holy Church,” to which the Archbishop of Canterbury replies, “The courses of [Henry’s] youth promised it not” (1.1.23-24). This reckless reputation follows Henry further into the play when an ambassador from France delivers a message to Henry from the Dauphin: “…the prince our master says that you savor too much of your youth and bids you to be advised there’s naught in France that can be with a nimble galliard won: you cannot revel into dukedoms there” (1.2.250-254). Along with this message, the Dauphin included a gift of tennis balls meant to further insult Henry. Even later in the play, after the English won the battle at Harfleur, the noble Frenchmen continue to underestimate Henry’s ability as a leader: “What a wretched and peevish fellow is this King of England, to mope with his fat-brained followers so far out of his knowledge” (3.8.120-122).

Shakespeare in Henry V shows Henry through his life as a king from just becoming king until right after the battle of Agincourt. King Henry made many people who doubted him and his motives rethink their initial thoughts. The way he handles issues and conflicts, he quickly makes them realize that he is not a person to be messed with. Despite the reputation of his younger years, Henry V proves himself a selfless king.

King Henry V began to inspire his army with speeches that gave them pride, courage and hope. Shakespeare’s St. Crispen’s Day Speech puts in perspective how Henry V led his army to fight the French.

King Henry’s yearning for honor and the challenges to his pride that he receives from his wild younger days instigates him to pursue war with France. He understands the magnitude of war, even probing the archbishop of Canterbury’s argument to challenge the Salic law: “For God doth know how many now in health / Shall

The king does this so that the governor will surrender and Henry can conquer Harfleur without a bloody battle. Although his speech sounds menacing, a quality not found in the characteristics of a hero, it is only a tactic Henry uses to achieve the outcome he wants. Henry's reluctance to make good on his promise of this massacre is proven when he states, "use mercy to them all" (III.3. 54). Henry is not the monster he appears to be; instead, he is a leader using any method he can to gain land while keeping his troops out of harm's way. At the final Battle of Agincourt, Henry's ragged army expresses concern about their odds against the French; the British are outnumbered five to one. Henry's Cousin Westmoreland. Henry, being the talented rhetorician that he is, soothes the army's fears by delivering the inspirational speech: "[...] If we are marked to die, we are now To do our country loss; and if to live, The fewer men, the greater share of honor. [...]But if it be a sin to covet honor, I am the most offending soul alive." (IV.3. 21-30). Henry explains that there is a certain amount of honor to go around once the British defeat the French. It is fortunate of those soldiers that are at the battle that they do not have to share that honor with men who are fearful and therefore unworthy of honor. Henry says that honor is most important to him and that it should also be important to

In most plays the King does not talk or mingle with the common folk like Henry V does throughout the play. The look down on the peasant as though they are beneath him. Before going into the Battle of Agincourt, they were outnumbered tremendously. The men may have felt it was a battle

King Henry V’s depiction of English nationalism amidst its battle between France showcases the glorification of war. However, despite the play’s emphasis on combat and victory, King Henry V, also presents a strong unification of the charater’s seeking or protecting for what they call home. For many of the play’s characters, the domestic sphere represents an ideal space to which they will return to or represent though their interactions. The domestic sphere intercedes onto the battlefield providing context as to what the characters are fighting and dying for.

Henry III (1 October 1207 – 16 November 1272), also known as Henry of Winchester, was King of England, Lord of Ireland and Duke of Aquitaine from 1216 until his death.[1] The son of King John and Isabella of Angoulême, Henry assumed the throne when he was only nine in the middle of the First Barons' War. Cardinal Guala declared the war against the rebel barons to be a religious crusade and Henry's forces, led by William Marshal, defeated the rebels at the battles of Lincoln and Sandwich in 1217. Henry promised to abide by the Great Charter of 1225, which limited royal power and protected the rights of the major barons. His early rule was dominated first by Hubert de Burgh and then Peter des Roches, who reestablished royal authority after the

In shakespeare’s Henry V we come to know that the french army has outnumbered the english army. The situation at the english camp is very tensed and one of the officers at his court, westmoreland wishes that it was good that the ten thousand men who are there are in England not working, were here to help. Henry the king overheard their conversation and he said that if we are destined to die, the less the better it was and if we were destined to live, it was good as there would be less people to share the honor of victory. He goes on to saying that he doesn't wish to fight along with people who are not willing fighting with him for nation. He tells his soldiers that those who don't wish to fight and are scared they can leave as he doesn't wish

The role of the Chorus in the Shakespeare's play, Henry V, is significant. Due to the subject matter that the play deals with, it is hard to present in the way that it deserves. The Chorus helps the audience follow the play by helping them to picture things as they were through the use of imagery. It uses descriptive language in describing events that take place in the play. The Chorus also helps in making the plot of the play flow together better by filling the time lapses that occur between acts due to the fact that the event being depicted in only a few hours actually occurred over several years, leaving some gaps between events. It also explains what happens in an act

The actions of this play take place in England but shift to France where the remainder of the play takes place (Shmoop Editorial Team). Act One opens where Henry IV, Part 2 left off as King Henry V plans to enter into a war against France as a result of territorial disputes between the two superpowers. Henry V plans to also let go of his wild youthful years to appease the restless and unhappy English citizens. The plot revolves around Henry V’s invasion of France as the outcome of the war will be of the upmost importance in deciding his authority of legitimate king. The play concludes with and English victory at Agincourt against the French solidifying Henry V’s rein as one of the most famous and successful English kings. Henry V is described

The earliest of Shakespeare’s plays was Henry V written in 1599. As a whole the play is mostly just a retelling of the battle of Agincourt in the year 1415, featuring the now very famous, “St. Crispin’s Day” speech. However Shakespeare manages to capture the intensity and pure chaos of war while also having a solid undertone about the morality of men and sending a