War often times brings out the worst in people but more over, it leaves nations divided. In the selected scene, Henry V exchanges his position of the war with those of a few soldiers. Currently, we are experiencing this with the War on Iraq. President Bush feels as though he is helping the nation combat terrorism and potential threats to our nation. Many Americans are mostly concerned with death tolls (of Americans) and the direct effects of blindly going into war. These feelings of resentment and a need for security are similar to what Henry V encounters in his discussion with the soldiers. This scene highlights the classic theme of a leader and nation divided.
Henry V honestly believes that he is an honorable man who is fighting as a necessity not for pleasure. He explains to the soldiers that "the king" is similar to him; he is only human and goes through the same fears and everyone else. " I think the king is but a man, as I.
am: the violet smells to him as it doth to me: the element shows to him as it doth to me; all his senses have but human conditions and though his affections are higher mounted than ours, yet, when they stoop, they stoop with the like wing. Therefore when he sees reason of fears, as we do, his fears, out of doubt, be of the same relish as ours are by showing it, should dishearten his army." Henry, like many other leaders, feels as though he must distance himself in terms of revealing his true feelings and emotions in order to keep control. In this scene he .
attempts to explain to the troops that he understands their position and opinions about the war and encourages them not to place the blame of their deaths on his shoulders. "The king is not bound to answer the particular endings of his soldiers, the father of his son, nor the master of.
his servant; for they purpose not their death, when they purpose their services." .
The soldiers hold Henry V accountable for all the effects of the war, including their deaths.