The qualities of Shakespeare's Henry V are first told to us by the conversation between the ArchBishop of Canterbury and the Bishop of Ely. They are discussing the bill that was to be passed which would allow the King to take the temporal land of the church that was left to them in the will's of many devout Lord's and soldiers. .
"For all temporal lands which men devout.
By testament have given to the church.
Would they strip from us -.
The Archbishop of Canterbury notes the changes in King Henry, as he has given up the unruly ways of his youth, and to their surprise, has blossomed into an excellent King with qualities that they have never seen him display before. Canterbury tells the Bishop of Ely that Henry has become extremely pious.
"Hear him but reason in divinity,.
You would desire the King were made a prelate-.
He has become an expert in foreign policy,.
"Hear him debate of commonwealth affairs,.
You would say it hath been all in all his study."".
and he has great military knowledge.
"List his discourse of war, and you shall hear .
A fearful battle rendered you in music."".
He is a good politician, .
"Turn him to any cause of policy,.
The Gordian knot of it he will unloose,"".
And that the King is an excellent orator. .
"Familiar as his garter, that, when he speaks.
The air, a chartered libertine, is still,"".
These qualities which the ArchBishop of Canterbury talk of are all shown in the next scene where we meet Henry for the first time.
The King's piousness is shown early in the scene by references to prayer and God in what he says.
"And Gid forbid, my dear and faithful Lord-.
"For God doth know how many in health-.
"We charge you, in the name of God take heed-.
His piousness/morality is also shown by his demand to know if he is morally right in making a claim in France."œMay I with right and conscience make this claim?-.
His political cunning is shown in his talk with the Archbishop of Canterbury as he tries to remove the blame off himself if they loose the war against France.
