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Henry V

 

            In the course of the play Henry V, we see the King adopting various roles and masking a variety of characters to fit the occasion; with such convincing tones as to move the audience who are watching his performance, to place their allegiance to his majestic leadership: to be fully behind him in his actions and judgments. Edward Hall summarized Henry as the ideal king who 'was merciful to offenders, charitable to the needy, indifferent to all men, faithful to his friends, and fierce to his enemies, toward God most devout, toward the world moderate, and to his realm a very father' (Hall, E. 1548, The Union of the Two Noble and Illustre Famelies of Lancaster and York, Henry V course text, p.9). Henry's Machiavel skill in dealing with his subjects, enemies and commoners is supremely displayed in his well-crafted rhetoric. His language is adroitly executed to maximize the support of his listeners while, at the same time, used to intimidate his opponents into submission. The play, however, is not without some disturbing undertones. Upon closer reading of the text, one is forced to consider the morality of his actions in some scenes and the contradictory remarks of his soldiers and enemies that provided some contrasting opinions of the King as a 'star'. Is Henry the Fifth the consummate hero-king of English history? Or is he the ultimate theatrical Pipe-piper to one of England's greatest victories at Agincourt? Finding the answers requires us to engage our imaginative minds as we consider the play in performance and how it can enrich perceptions of the king's character beyond reading the text.
             In Act II, scene 2, the king displays his clever handling of his conspirators, revealing himself as an astute and just leader who is acutely aware of human behaviour. He plays the same game of innocence as Scroop, Cambridge and Grey (the said traitors) in their disguises by asking them what punishment a minor offender of the king deserves.


Essays Related to Henry V

1. Shakespeare's Henry V

Discussion Questions for Shakespeare's Henry V 1.Most of the criticism of this play centers on whether Hal has become a good person or a bad person. ... Falstaff dies offstage as a reminder that Henry V is a "sequel to the earlier histories of Henry IV." ... The presence of the tavern gang after Falstaff's death in the play represent the personal history of Henry V. This history brought into the play by Henry V "cannot be quite so easily banished." Because the tavern gang remains present in the play, the audience has a reminder of Henry V's personal past. 6. ...

  • Word Count: 807
  • Approx Pages: 3
  • Grade Level: High School

2. Henry V

The role of the Chorus in the Shakespeare's play, Henry V, is significant. ... It is difficult to depict the life of King Henry V with all the honor and glory that he deserves when presenting it on the stage. ... In Act V, The two courts meet and discuss King Henry's demands, his first of which is to marry Katherine, which is granted. ... They close the story about the life of King Henry V by telling the audience that he had a son, Henry VI, whom went on to succeed his father. ... The Chorus also gives the audience some insight into the character of Henry V as well. ...

  • Word Count: 1745
  • Approx Pages: 7
  • Grade Level: High School

3. Henry V

In Henry V, Shakespeare uses Henry to show that a leader must put duty and fairness above friendship. ... Shakespeare doesthis as to set the tone for Henry's character and his ability to reign and be a good leader in Henry V. ... Shakespeare uses that to foreshadow what Henry must do to become a good king, in Henry V. ... In Shakespeare's' Henry V, henry is faced with the monumental task of ruling the throne of England. ... Throughout Henry V Shakespeare has many moods, or themes brought up , leadership burdens of leadership, or good qualities of a good leader, j...

  • Word Count: 1466
  • Approx Pages: 6
  • Grade Level: High School

4. Kind Henry V

The role of the Chorus in the Shakespeare's play, Henry V, is significant. ... It is difficult to depict the life of King Henry V with all the honor and glory that he deserves when presenting it on the stage. ... In Act V, The two courts meet and discuss King Henry's demands, his first of which is to marry Katherine, which is granted. ... They close the story about the life of King Henry V by telling the audience that he had a son, Henry VI, whom went on to succeed his father. ... The Chorus also gives the audience some insight into the character of Henry V as well. ...

  • Word Count: 1745
  • Approx Pages: 7
  • Grade Level: High School

5. Henry V - Benevolent King Or Scheming Politician?

In each production of Henry V, the emphasis changes: Henry can appear to be "the mirror of all Christian Kings" or as a cynic who uses the, seemingly corrupt, church to justify his actions. ... So Henry V is an unsavoury character in that he can so coldly turn on Falstaff, a man who was a great friend to him? ... This second argument makes even more sense in reference to Henry V, when Hal, now King Henry V, does worry about that lack of access to the people, which is the by-product of the reformation in his character and because he is king by divine right and, by definition, must be separat...

  • Word Count: 3298
  • Approx Pages: 13
  • Grade Level: Undergraduate

6. Henry V

Henry V Throughout the movie Henry V accurate portrayals of the age, speech, and clothing of the time are displayed. The movie depicts Henry V's rise to the throne and part in the Hundred Years War with vague accuracy, but gets the important points across. ... Henry V stumbles past Henry's rather interesting childhood and enters into the main plot of his life very quickly, leaving much to be told of the events omitted by Shakespeare. ... Henry declares war on France and the saga of his invasion begins (Henry V) . ... To kill young boys, they say, is expressly forbi...

  • Word Count: 2049
  • Approx Pages: 8
  • Grade Level: High School

7. Henry V: A Historical Background

- The crown passed on to Prince Hal (Shakespeare's nickname), Henry V. ... Henry V opens up with the Archbishop remarking on this change... - Henry V is all business. ... " - One of the first things Henry V does is to give a proper burial to Richard II's body. ... - Henry V's major achievement was his conquest of France. ...

  • Word Count: 565
  • Approx Pages: 2
  • Grade Level: High School

8. Herny V

Henry V (1989) Directed by Kenneth Branagh Produced by Stephen Evans This is a film adaptation of a classic play that Shakespeare wrote early in his career. ... A young King Henry V played by Kenneth Branagh, (a well known Shakespearean filmmaker), has just ascended to the throne of England. ... Henry decides that the best way to prove himself worthy is initiate a campaign against the French. ... Kenneth Branagh delivers this speech as Henry V; his words "We Few, We happy few, we band of brothers." stirs deep emotions not only among his subjects, but also among the viewers as wel...

  • Word Count: 510
  • Approx Pages: 2
  • Grade Level: High School

9. Henry V Film Comparison

Henry V Film Comparison After viewing two different versions of Shakespeare's Henry V, the audience may have two very different opinions of Henry as a King. ... Overall, the directors paint different pictures of Henry. ... Henry then gives his reply to the messenger. ... Here Henry seems boastful, confident, and not angry. ... If the audience had not read Henry V before and saw Olivier's version first, then they too might laugh at the King and his threats. ...

  • Word Count: 1105
  • Approx Pages: 4
  • Grade Level: High School