Henry V is presented as a strong and capable King. Is this an accurate description of Shakespeare’s Henry V? Henry VI became King by taking the crown off Richard II, Henry received the crown in 1413 after his father died. Some say Henry V’s behaviour was a punishment for his father’s crime. Many people thought Henry would take advantage of his rights. People got this idea because of his wild, natural youth, even though he had witnessed a first hand account of war since the age of 12. Henry V had a reputation of drinking, gambling and lying.
Henry therefore gave the impression he would be a bad king. Their opinions changed and so did Henry when he became King of England. Henry V was a brave skilled leader, he was realistic about the war he knew what the effect of war was and what was expected of him, he also knew many of his man would die as they English were out numbered. Henry was very down to earth and before the battle he chose to be with his soldiers, to see what they thought of the war and how they were feeling.
Unlike the French and Dauphin who sat away from his soldiers in a tent of his own talking about his armour and horses. He shows himself to be a king who is dominant. He ignores problems in England his home country so he can expand his empire and his assets in France. Henry took extreme risks and some how these risks did not bring him to a nasty downfall or disaster. Henry is faulted for the need of insight; even thought the victory at Agincourt was exceptional, the British were soon to lose the French lands.
The Essay on Shakespeare Iii Henry King Play
A Man Above Kings In William Shakespeare s Henry V, King Henry is at the height of his reign as he defeats the French in one of the most significant battles in English history. As Henry fights the ongoing battle on French soil, he is subjected to many situations that define him as a man as well as a king. As the play progresses, these demanding situations test his military ability, intelligence, ...
Henry V appears to be almost immature in his irresponsible-risk-taking conduct. Shakespeare shows that if Henry had not been as successful as he was he would not have been thought of as a hero by the British instead they would of thought him to be greedy and therefore detested him. The war was a glorious power in Henry’s eyes waiting to be controlled. Henry however much of a bad youth still turned to his faith for help, unlike many kings he asked and waited for a reply from the church before he went to war.
The church gave the idea to go to war because it would distract Henry from collecting the taxes form the church. In going to war with the French, he risked all of England that was a country that had its own share of problems. When Henry called upon the Bishop of Canterbury for his opinion on the justice of his claim to the French throne, he does it in a way that is intimidating he warns the bishop of the dangers. “And god forbid my dear and faithful lord, that you should fashion, wrest, or bow your reading “Act I, scene II, ll. 13-14. Henry knows he can make a claim to the French throne because the Salic law, which applies in England, states that ” You can not inherit land through the mothers side of the family” luckily for Henry this law did not apply in France and his claim to the throne came form his great great grandmother.
Henry was a very good leader as he not only put his soldiers in danger he risked his own life. He had a lot of courage considering there were greatly out numbered. He was highly thought of and people honoured him and this meant a lot to Henry. He was very ambitious and talked a lot about his success that would happen, ” Me in my throne in France.” Act I scene II, ll.
276. Again before the battle of Har fleur he says “France being ours, we ” ll bend it to awe or break it all into pieces.” Act I, Scene II, ll 225.
