Discuss How Shakespeare Presents Henry and Explores Renaissance Idea Concerning Kingship and Society
Using a close Analysis of 4:1 as a starting point and material from the play as a whole, discuss how Shakespeare presents Henry and explores Renaissance idea concerning kingship and society. Include some consideration of how modern audience’s response may compare to that of a contemporary audience.
In “Henry V” Shakespeare presents a figure that symbolises the ideal monarch as expressed by writers like Bodin and Erasmus. In a renaissance society it is believed that each king is appointed king by God, through divine right, and so the king has absolute authority to be God’s power on earth. However Henry harbours doubts over his right to be king for he is the son of the usurper of the crown. This presents the idea of a ‘twice born’ king as Henry publicly appears confident in his rule and private insecure in his right. As Edward Plowden writes, “A king has in him two bodies…a body natural and a body politic.” Henry’s political side understands the importance of his role as king, despite any doubts he has, which is why his speeches and actions at Agincourt show an awareness of the importance of social cohesion, as he tries to make the men forget their fears and social boundaries to fight for England.
In act 4:1 Shakespeare presents three different groups of the base level of society in different ways to the disguised Henry. Shakespeare strategically places the dialogue between Henry and Pistol on the eve of the war to act as comic relief. When Pistol and Henry speak there is an apparent reversal in power, for Pistol claims he is as ‘a gentleman as the emperor’ and Henry claims to be a, “a gentleman of company.” Henry speaks in prose to support his character, and Pistol, as usual speaks in verse suggesting nobility, ironically the audience know Pistol is anything but noble. Henry discovers Pistol still has, ‘love’ as he shows no resentment towards the king for Bardolph’s death whereas he blames Fluellen for Bardolph’s demise. This loyal sentiment contrasts Pistols
In “Henry V” Shakespeare presents a figure that symbolises the ideal monarch as expressed by writers like Bodin and Erasmus. In a renaissance society it is believed that each king is appointed king by God, through divine right, and so the king has absolute authority to be God’s power on earth. However Henry harbours doubts over his right to be king for he is the son of the usurper of the crown. This presents the idea of a ‘twice born’ king as Henry publicly appears confident in his rule and private insecure in his right. As Edward Plowden writes, “A king has in him two bodies…a body natural and a body politic.” Henry’s political side understands the importance of his role as king, despite any doubts he has, which is why his speeches and actions at Agincourt show an awareness of the importance of social cohesion, as he tries to make the men forget their fears and social boundaries to fight for England.
In act 4:1 Shakespeare presents three different groups of the base level of society in different ways to the disguised Henry. Shakespeare strategically places the dialogue between Henry and Pistol on the eve of the war to act as comic relief. When Pistol and Henry speak there is an apparent reversal in power, for Pistol claims he is as ‘a gentleman as the emperor’ and Henry claims to be a, “a gentleman of company.” Henry speaks in prose to support his character, and Pistol, as usual speaks in verse suggesting nobility, ironically the audience know Pistol is anything but noble. Henry discovers Pistol still has, ‘love’ as he shows no resentment towards the king for Bardolph’s death whereas he blames Fluellen for Bardolph’s demise. This loyal sentiment contrasts Pistols