ow abed, shall think themselves accursed they were not here; and hold their manhoods cheap whiles any speaks that fought with us upon Saint Crispin's day. .
Henry V, written by William Shakespeare, is by far one of his more historically accurate plays. This play is the life of young King Henry V, who ascended to the throne after his father, Henry IV's death. These times were much different for England, as Henry V was a noble lord whom everyone loved, whereas angry factions haunted his father's reign. Shakespeare portrays a fairly accurate account of the historical Henry V, but certain parts are either inflated"deflated, or conflated to dramatize Henry V as a character suitable for a Renaissance audience. .
Shakespeare greatly inflated the conspiracy plot revealed in Act II Scene II of the play, Richard Earl of Cambridge, Henry Lord Scroop of Masham, and Thomas Gray knight of Northumberland are arrested of high treason. This plot and the discovery of it by Lord Exeter establish Henry as King of England. Shakespeare left out a major character in the conspiracy though. Edmund Mortimer is not named as one of the key conspirators. Critics believe that Shakespeare did this for political reasons. Mortimer held a direct claim to the throne of England because Richard II named him rightful heir before Henry IV's usurpation. Elizabeth I was in the audience at the Globe Theatre tn see Henry V. She also did not hold very strong claim to the throne, constantly being challenged and threatened. Elizabeth I was very protective of her throne and censored all publications about rival claimants. For these reasons, Shakespeare purposely did not include Edmund Mortimer in his play as to not draw any attention upon people with stronger claims to the throne of England. (Thompson 1) .
Shakespeare also dramatizes the conspiracy by inflating the relationship between Henry V and Scroop. Henry is deeply upset at his involvement in this conspiracy, but he acts as to inflate his own character to be emotional and father-like.
