Henry V By William Hazlitt Themes
Henry V
Themes
* Power:
How do you secure power? How do you keep it? “Uneasy lies the head that wears the crown”. * Language:
How language is used in art and life, and how language is used to manipulate people, and create truth in the minds of the listeners. How is language used to position people? * Creation of iconic figures
What makes a hero? * Leadership:
Does a man need to be a great man to be a great leader? Is what is good for the leader as an individual good for the nation?
“The hidden motives that actuate princes and their advisors.”
“Romantic, heroic and patriotic delight.” - William Hazlitt
Hazlitt claims that Henry V does reveal the hidden motives of men in power and people who advise them. The play …show more content…
reveals these motives, but also reveals those aspects of Henry’s nature that we can admire and delight in.
Henry is actually a complex mixture of qualities: we can admire and criticize him. The play presents Henry in both lights and he must not be simplified. The play is able to present us with many contrasts, including the heroism of war and the brutality of it.
The play is also about the theatre. It gives us an idea of how we can overcome the challenge of successfully presenting the truth on stage. This play is about theatrical techniques and how the audience must use their imagination to discover the truth. The resources of art give us the impression of reality.
Henry the V constantly reminds us that this is a drama, and we must think of it as a piece of theatre; not reality. Therefore we must think critically about what is presented to us.
Henry V: overview
Edward III: 1327 – 1371
Richard II: 1377 – 1399
Henry IV: 1399 – 1413
Henry V: 1413 – 1422
“I was not the lion, but it fell to me to give the lion’s roar.” – Churchill
This comment is about how incredible oratory provided the English people with the courage that they needed to fight like a lion. Henry V comments on the uses of language and its power, and how it can manipulate people into giving their support. This is a way of keeping power.
Rhetoric: the devices used in language
Right from the start we are told that the play is going to work on us, and influence us through language. The chorus tells us that our imaginations are going to create the huge battles we see on stage, to ensure that Shakespeare's words can bring the play to life for us.
Closing chorus: in the closing chorus, the brevity of Henry V’s actual reign is compared with the short duration of the play. The play is short and dazzling, just as in the play we witness and respond to powerful and dazzling people.
Opening chorus: right from the start there is a suggestion of questioning. What follows in the text indicates that there is a degree of over-simplification. The play examines the glory of heroism. It critically examines the losses associated with that ruler. There is a remarkable quality of ambivalence – of Henry and of the events in the play. Henry’s “linguistic might” is greater than his real moral value.
Henry V is moved to conflict with France through a) History b) Desire of power c) Own personal ambition
Salic law is a law that barred the inheritance of the throne through the female line. This meant Edward III could not claim the French throne. This launched a 100-year war between England and France. His son, the Black Prince (so named because he always wore dark armor) accompanied Edward III. Edward III won the great battle of Crécy in 1346, because of the amazing uses of different weaponry by the English.
One of the most important propaganda tools that can be used is the exploitation of reference to the past, and part victories. It is very important as a moral justification of actions in the present. The Battle of Crécy was also important because is was a battle won by the united people, rather than by groups of armored aristocratic knights.
Edward III then died, and was succeeded by his 11-year-old son, Richard II. He was opposed by a peasant revolt, and the rise of Holland. Huge conquests were not on Richard II agenda. His despotism lead to clashes with powerful diplomats.
He banishes Henry of Lancaster (his cousin) who resents him for this. He eventually returns to oppose Richard II.
Henry IV was the 4th son of Edward III, so he did have a strong claim to the throne. Richard was a weak despotic leader, and was easily overthrown by Henry IV and his many supporters. However, even though Richard II was a despotic leader and increasingly tyrannical, he is the rightful heir to the throne. Anyone who took the throne away (even if justified) would feel extreme guilt and insecurity about their position as king. Many saw Henry IV as a usurper (some one who had seized the throne).
This relates to the insecurity and power of the time of Henry V. Henry V now feels as if God will deny him great glory because of his father’s bloody rise to power. Before his greatest battle, he prays that God does not punish him for his father’s seizing of the throne. He is uncertain of his right to his father’s throne.
Henry IV was very troubled by the immoral behavior he saw in his son. However, even in youth he displayed signs of the king that would develop. When Henry V came to power, he cast off his old companions completely. Great emphasis is placed on Sir John Falstaff. His death is featured in the play.
How does one keep great power? “Uneasy lies the head that wears the crown”: it is important that one is aware of the crown’s uncertainty. There must be awareness that one can only be as successful as his last successful act.
Henry also has to purge from his subjects’ minds the image of the wild youth that he used to be. One of Henry’s greatest talents is his ability to use “honeyed sentences.”
Act 1
Chorus
“Muse of fire”: refers the source of inspirations that will the playwright fire and energy for the exploration of such an extraordinary theme. The “swelling scene” refers to a greater subject matter: one that requires nations to perform. To be worthy of such a theme, there must be a muse of fire. Fire was believed to be that brightest of all elements. A muse is needed that will inspire the greatest amount of passion and thought.
Henry V is already considered to be a warrior king. In reality he would have the power of a magus figure, and would be able to control “famine, fire and sword”. Already, with the mention of famine, fire and sword, there is an element of destructiveness introduced. While the chorus glorifies marshal power, Shakespeare uses language to remind us of the horrors of war.
The chorus already presents the daringness behind even trying to present such a great theme. Shakespeare cleverly plays with the literal smallness of the theatre, but also its great potential. It is possible to present this theme, provided that the audience “peace out our imperfections with thought.” The audience must engage and create. Human imagination must “deck our kings” – the human mind must flesh out the kings, and make them splendid and real. Not only that, but the audience must also leap over time - they must travel back from the 17th centaury to the 15th century. The theatre must carry you back to the middle ages, and the events must be compressed and sped up, and turned into what the playwright wished us them to be. Shakespeare asks the audience to forgive the actors who do not have the military might to successfully portray the battles.
The chorus’ speech looks at the limitations and potential of the “wooden O”. If the audience permits them to do so, then they shall be able to create such a play, but the artwork will only be successful if the audience becomes a creative force. The imagination is seen as a shaping force.
The chorus is a meta-theatrical piece. It looks at the very art of the theatre.
Act 1, scene 1
The two men are worried about the confiscation of church wealth by the new king. They talk about a possible distraction that they can find to ensure that they retain their immense wealth and the power associated with it.
The men are two bishops – of Canterbury and of Ely. They are prelates (powerful people in the church).
In mediate res: in the middle of things. There was a bill that was going to be passed, but the “scrambling and unquiet time” prevented this bill from going forward. There was political turbulence. The bill was forgotten amidst the disunity of the time.
The bishop of Canterbury says that the bill aims to strip the church’s inheritance (when people leave money to the church in their wills). The bishop says that the bill would take away property that is valuable enough to support the army, relieve the poor and donate to the king’s treasury.
The purpose of the meeting between the two bishops is to “drink deep” – consume their wealth. They meet to discuss how the bill can be prevented.
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The progress to manhood can occur as the result of a great tragedy. The death of Henry V’s father really did transform him. Canterbury is particularly amazed at this. The “offending Adam” has been driven out, along with the fleshy sins of his youth.
The two bishops become hyperbolic in their language, describing Henry’s change. The “hydra” that they talk about was a multiple headed monster that was eventually killed by Hercules. In the same was, the monster inside Henry has been killed and he has become a virtuous, intellectual and devoutly religious man.
The suggestion is that these underlying qualities were in Henry all along. What brought about the activation of these qualities was the will to change. Henry had never had any responsibility before, so these admirable qualities were never needed. He was suddenly confronted with extraordinary responsibility and he now has an outlet for these gifts.
For Shakespeare, Henry is a very complex human being. There is potential for sin in everyone, but there is also potential for such extraordinary change. What Henry desires is an outlet for his good qualities. He understands the magnitude of his responsibilities. He is a flawed person, and he did indulge in debauchery when under the wrong influences.
Canterbury says that when he hears Henry talking about religion, he wishes he were a prelate because he is so well informed. He is the same with political issues and descriptions of welfare. When the king speaks, the very air (which is faithful to no one) is faithful to him.
Henry is exactly the man that the listeners want him to be. There is a sense that Henry is skillfully everything to every man. He is an extraordinary man, but there is a large degree of manipulation. Canterbury points out that Henry speaks so brilliantly and clearly of so many things, that he simply must have the experience. However, Henry did never isolate himself or devote himself to his studies. He was always a playboy prince, but is clearly a naturally born intellectual man, with an incredible ability with words.
Ely uses two images to describe where Henry got his experience:
The idea is that natural gifts flourish when they are unseen by the public eye. He stresses that his abilities were hidden, but this does not in any way mean that they were not there. He has been exposed to scummy companions, which are here described as “unlettered” and “rude” characters.
The bishops choose to give Henry a far greater sum than has ever before been given by the church, before he takes everything away from them by passing the bill, to satisfy his ambitions. The threat of the bill is much greater, so in a way, their money is a kind of bribe. Their purpose here is not to debate the bill, but to mitigate it.
The prelates understand that, if they give Henry enough money to satisfy his military ambitions, then he will leave the church be.
The church in the middle ages provided a lot of agricultural developments, as well as all the charity and most of the health care. Shakespeare does suggest that there is greed at work here by the bishops – they are politically cunning. They are both powerful people, who are determined to protect their own interests. Already, Henry is thinking favorably towards them.
Act 1, scene 2
Already we see that Henry is very comfortable in his position as king.
Henry says that God forbids us to twist the truth, because this is such an important issue (lines 15 >). Only God knows how many lives will shed their blood to satisfy whatever course of action they might take. Henry says that they should not warp the truth to satisfy him because this is a very serious action. Henry feels certain that they will justify an action that they already seem eager to take.
He says that every drop of blood that is shed during war causes great guilt for those that demanded it was shed. Henry knows that there has to be much blood shed when two great nations like England and France clash. It shall be his fault if blood is shed unjustly.
Canterbury's speech:
It is meant to be a tedious speech. To suit his own purposes, he is able to use very verbose and historically correct language to justify the war. It suits him for Henry to go to war because it will distract him from affairs at home, including the passing of the bill that diminishes the church’s wealth. He encourages Henry to go to war because it will distract “giddy mind by foreign quarrels.” Canterbury’s argument is true, and all his information and dallies are exact. He uses rhetoric to befuddle and confuse Henry. Canterbury uses particularly verbose language for a reason: it is not the kind of language that can be argued with. All his facts are correct and accurate.
He says that there are doubts about where the lands that fall under Salic Law actually are. Essentially, Canterbury insists that the throne cannot be inherited through the female line because if Salic law, but they do not know to which pieces of the country the laws fall over. The territory is doubtful. The historical founder of the law is also dubious.
The French people also want a king that has inherited through the female line.
He also suggests that the current king inherited through the female line. Canterbury says that the French king is fundamentally dishonest and has essentially stolen the throne from Henry’s ancestors. The implication is that the French laws that are being applied to Henry are not being applied to themselves.
The problem is that Henry’s claim to his own throne is also dubious. His own father usurped the throne.
Canterbury goes on the mention Henry’s great ancestors and urges him to follow in their footsteps. The rhetoric that the archbishop uses does make us feel uneasy, because of his violent images of a “bloody flag” and “forage in the blood.” Canterbury urges Henry to show his strength, and suggests that he could be even greater than the black prince because he is in the prime of his youth. “Live up to your ancestors, and write new chapters in England’s tale.”
The archbishop’s speech is actually very important and very convincing, even though it is so lengthy and complicated. He also compliments Henry once again. “The strawberry grows…. baser qualities.” Strawberries could flourish under such base plants – Canterbury compliments the way the king has changed, and become a moral man. Henry was able to cast off the old bad
influences.
There is a sense of rationalizing here, and of finding reasons to justify a decision that has already been made. Henry expects that he will be advised to go to war. Henry himself went to war at a very early age, so he is aware of the horrors of war. There is reason to believe that there is no empathy behind his decisions.
If the decision to go to war has already been made, then why hold these meetings at all? Henry needs to give the impression that he takes the people’s advice into account, and that he is not an aggressor.
How much of this is sincere? There is a part of this that is public display. He encourages the church to push him in the direction of war. However, there is a sense that he does want the security of spiritual approval, but the very diction he uses suggests that he thinks this war is justified. He does question the righteousness behind his claim. However, Henry is very eager to be convinced because if he was a war warrior, then his people would be distracted by his heroism and not question his right to his own throne.
Henry is seen as a “lion” because of his strength and majesty, but also because of his strength in attack. Westmorland says that the people of England are behind him. Canterbury also mentions that the church will give him more money than ever before in his cause.
Henry goes on to say that he must leave troops behind in case the Scotts try to take advantage of the king’s absence. Ely compares Henry to an eagle: when the eagle is away, the Scotts are like weasels and will eat the eagle’s eggs. Then the Scotts are compared to being mice: causing havoc while the cat is away. This expresses a genuine xenophobic attitude.
The king considers not going o war to protect his country, but Exeter argues that, if this argument were followed, the no country would ever go to war. There are other layers of government that will do the job well in Henry’s absence, because the king’s state is very well governed.
Canterbury argues that it will be the same as heaven, where tasks are divided amongst all. All of them unite to serve God and be obedient to him.
He then compares these people to a beehive; an orderly working society. Canterbury justifies the caste system – where everyone has a role to play and they are satisfied with their job. He mixes precise descriptions of bees with human terminology – “office, magistrates, king”.
Canterbury is aware that bees bring back nectar to make honey. It is not the same as humans going to war. It is a very manipulative analogy. Shakespeare suggests that men of the church should not be so determined for war. He gives a warped and marshal feeling to the image of the bees – an image that was typically used to symbolize peace. Exeter also uses the image of music to reassure Henry that they will all be ok in his absence – they will all operate in harmony.
Henry now feels completely justified about going to war because: * Biblically and historically justified, through Canterbury’s accurate and tangled descriptions. * Politically justified (through the exploration of Salic law) * A reference to the glorious past – there is an appeal for courage and glory. * Comforting flattery from his advisors * Trivializing of energy
Henry says that when he takes over France, he will make them accept his authority, saying they must accept him as their king “or break it all to pieces.” Here we see the ruthlessness of Henry. He says he will either be noble enough for all of history to speak of his nobility openly, or else he shall not be spoken of at all, because if he loses the battle, the shame will be too great. The qualities that come through here are Henry’s great courage and ambition. He is resolved and ready to go to France. However, Henry is still receiving messages fro the French price, suggesting that there are still negotiations going on, clearly in an effort to resolve conflict. Henry, however, has already decided. Henry does understand his own personality. When he receives messages from France, he knows that he must control his own personal passions and temper. The dauphin mocks Henry, saying that the demands that Henry makes are childish demands. He says that there is no territory in France that can be won through hedonistic dancing. This is a very harsh blow to Henry’s motives. The dauphin says that Henry is still to young and inexperienced. He offers piles of “treasure” that turn into tennis balls. Henry goes on o say that their rackets will match the balls that France have sent, and they shall play a set that will strike the crown off the king’s head. The tennis that they play is not modern tennis; it refers to a different form of the game.
Henry is careful to always be correct, and there is always a mention of “God’s grace”. He says that England’s weaponry will match France’s balls, and that they shall be beaten at their own game. Henry says that he has learnt from his wildly spent youth, and he has changed. The language is formal and diplomatic. He says that this joke will affect France devastatingly, and the French populous of the future will condemn the dauphin for his attitude. The word “chide” suggests that it is in fact the dauphin who is like a child.
His language then changes and becomes much more personal: he stops using the royal “we” which is correct when he is expressing thoughts regarding the country and his decisions about it, and shifts to the personal “I”. He says that his idol, frivolous youth has taught him, and he takes his kingship very seriously now. Henry says that the dauphin will be blinded by his brilliance.
This speech reveals Henry’s anger, and a sense of shame over his youth. The dauphin has focused on precisely what will enrage Henry, and he attacks Henry’s weak points. This is more that patriotic anger. The dauphins insult is also so hard for Henry to come to terms with, because it implies that he in incapable of change. It is a completely undiplomatic gesture on behalf of the dauphin.
Act 2
Chorus
The image of “fire” is once again used. If people are filled with fire, they are filled with valiance, patriotism and passion. The people of England are filled with fire to become great warriors. There is a spirit of urgency in the speech.
“Silken”: people have put aside their silken feelings and silken clothing for the good of the war. The main concentration now is on battle, and not on the luxuries of livelihood.
The people want to move to France as quickly as if they were “mercury”. The expectation is personified, as all the people have very high expectations of the battle and of the victory. There is a specific reference here to “crowns and coronets” – to king Edwards coat of arms, which is a sword surrounded by crowns. The negative connotations of war are often expressed in the play, but here, the chorus speaks of the amazing unifying spirit of war.
“Policy” (line 14) suggests a devious kind of intrigue. England seeks to conquer France’s policy. If only all were as faithful as most people are, then there would be no limit to what England could achieve. What he says here is that they are by no means united. France has bribed three very powerful aristocrats, and it is a significant conspiracy. They have plotted the king’s death before he has even set out to war.
Again the chorus reminds us of our job as the viewers of the play: it is not literal. It is a work that needs audience involvement in the form of imagination.
We then move to South Hampton to accompany Henry on his trip to France.
In summary:
The chorus starts with an air of real unity. People are putting aside their own luxuries and indulgences to fight for their country. This is however undercut by the three mentioned traitors (scene 2).
Blank verse: unrhymed iambic pentameter. This is the style that Shakespeare writes in. there are five main stresses for each line.
Act 2, scene 1
Bardolph and Nym are two ordinary people but they are associates of Sir John Falstaff. He represents earthly humanity. He is a pleasure-loving, gross and witty knight.
When Henry was younger, Falstaff was Henry’s close companion. When Henry casts off Falstaff and rejects him, he is rejecting the pleasure-loving, unrestrained aspect of his own nature. In this play, we consider to what extent it is acceptable to reject true friends to better you.
Falstaff is disgusting, but he is also very appealing. He is a life-loving picture, and we do admire him for his wit.
“Corporal” is Nym’s military rank. It is very high. “Lieutenant” is Bardolph’s rank – it is even higher.
Nym says little, but what he says does have a sinister feeling to it. His words also have a sense that it is a much deeper meaning to them, when they do not. Nym is not keen to go to war and be heroic, because he is scared of the battle. Nym also lost his fiancé to Pistol. Pistol then enters the room, and Bardolph encourages Nym not to get angry with him.
Bardolph calls Pistol a landlord. This is insulting because he is actually an officer of a very high rank. He calls him this because he married a landlady. He is subtly accusing her of being a brothel owner.
It is all very bizarre, because these people are not unified at all, as the chorus suggests they would be. Shakespeare brings us down to earth by showing us the ordinary people that will make up Henry’s army. Swords are being drawn here over mistress Quickly (Nell), not over territorial claim and the battle with France.
In the insult, there is a lot of sexual innuendo that is amusing. They then put away their swords. Pistol calls Nym a “prick-eared cur”, which is a kind of small dog. Nym says that he would rather fight him alone.
Pistol goes on to accuse Nym of having venereal disease. Venereal disease is equated with betrayed sexuality. “Spital” is a place for treating venereal diseases. Pistol says Nym must go find a diseased prostitute, but he must not attempt to take away his own wife, Mistress Quickly.
Shakespeare clearly uses a lot of animal imagery, to describe sexuality, self-centered longings etc. and it makes a point about the humans that we all are.
For all the flourishing swords, they do not actually physically attack each other.
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Hostess Quickly: “the king hath killed his heart”. The king rejected his old best friend, Sir John Falstaff, and now Falstaff will never recover from it.
The actual men who make up the army of Henry V are crude, disgusting and greedy men.
The king has inflicted his own anger on Falstaff, and now his melancholy feelings about the king’s rejection have caused him to be critically ill. He is dying in great sorrow. Nym underlines this. Amongst their course jokes, there is no real sympathy for Falstaff, and they do not wish for his recovery.
There is a suggestion here that the king is a good king, but he does have some strange actions. They are all on Falstaff’s side here: they feel sympathy that Henry cast him out, but they do not sympathize with Henry’s decision in rejecting him. Henry cannot afford to be associated with Falstaff in his new position as king, but there is a discomfort around how quickly Henry shifted from being best friends with Falstaff to completely rejecting him.
Falstaff is gross, but as readers, we do feel sorry for him in his end. He is capable of suffering. He feels so cut off by Henry that his heart is broken.
Act 2, scene 2
“Bold” – stupid. Henry feels stupid that he trusted these traitors in the first place.
Westmorland is amazed at how easily they presented themselves as the king’s supporters. There is a sense of extreme treachery. The “bedfellow” (closest friend) of the king betrayed him.
The king knows they are traitors, but the traitors do not yet know that they have been discovered. When the king enters, we wonder how he is going to handle the situation. It is a test of true leadership.
Henry states that there is nobody who isn’t dedicated to the cause completely. He says that everyone who has to stay behind in England wishes that they could be in France fighting. By saying this, he underlines the enormity of the crime that has been committed. In a sense, he also gives the three traitors a chance to come forward, and repent.
However, they do not come forward. Rather, they pretend to support him further. The words that they use show their hypocrisy. They use false flattery and hyperbolic patriotism. The king’s words incite them to extreme loyalty that the king knows is false.
Henry says that people who are loyal to him will be rewarded greatly. He has given them a strong reason to be loyal, rather than treacherous. He once again gives them the opportunity to beg for mercy.
Scroop still doesn’t come forward – the closest of Henry’s companions out of the three men. He continues with flattery, saying that the justice of Henry’s rule increases people’s strength of followers.
Henry goes onto to say what true patriotism and loyalty mean, followed by an expression of absolute trust in his people. This repeated chance for the men to repent just leads them to being all the more false. In a way he gives them rope to hang themselves with.
Henry is then very clever. An ordinary man had recently insulted the king, and he was imprisoned for it. Henry tells Exeter to release the man, because he is a drunkard, and was under the influence of alcohol at the time he said it.
Scroop jumps in and says that the king should be merciful, but he should also be strong, so that others do not follow this man’s example.
Henry says that we (using the royal plural) cannot “wink at” (pardon) small fault, then how should we react to capital crimes, that are “chewed, swallowed and digested”- all the crimes that have been carefully calculated. He says that the man will be released in spite of his friends’ “careful care”. “Dear preservation of my person…” – this speech of Henry’s is delivered with no irony in his voice. He must not be sarcastic – they must not yet know that he knows of their treachery. They must have no warning.
They all get given documents. They expect these documents to be confirmation of their power as regents while Henry is at war in France. Instead, when they open the documents, they find that they are actually death warrants.
Now, all three traitors break down and confess. Henry will now give them no mercy, because their own words about mercy turn against them like dogs. They said that if Henry does show mercy, then it might set a bad example for others. He calls them all monsters, because a lack of love for ones country is seen as unnatural and monstrous.
Henry then lists their faults: * Cambridge has for a few light crowns from France discarded Henry’s love for him. * Grey and Cambridge swore to kill him. How could they treasure France’s money more than Henry’s love for them? * Scroop was Henry’s closest friend, and if he had wanted to, he could’ve drained Henry of his money for his own gain. Why would he have turned against him? It was possible for him to have everything he desired, in terms of wealth. He was the Chancellor of the Exchequer (the head of the treasury). Henry did not know that he had “one spark of evil”. He should not have wanted to hurt even Henry’s finger, because Henry has treated him so incredibly well. He says that murder and treason always go together. Henry says that whatever devil tempted Scroop must be very savage.
There is a lot of hurt here as well. He expresses his fury, as well as his shock and pain. They all had so much – why would they betray him?
Generally, the people that commit treason tend to feel that what they are doing is actually what is best for their country. Men have deceived themselves that what they have done is for ultimate goodness.
St Peter, Chapter V, vs. 8:
“Be sober, be vigilant; because your advisory, your enemy, the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.”
Henry says that these men did not even deceive themselves, or pretend that what they were doing was good. The devils that tempted them did not justify their actions with goodness. The men just deceived him because it seemed as though they simply wanted to.
Henry says that they action have poisoned all feelings of trust and loyalty. His men appear to be thoughtful, have honorable backgrounds, be loyal and hardworking. However, these traitors did too. Now he can trust no one, no matter how virtuous they seem. He lists all the qualities that make for a truly virtuous person. These include people who are genuinely religious, and “some one who is as he appears to be”. The horror here is that Scroop appeared to embody all these qualities, when in fact he did not at all. What they have done is so terrible that the most tainted humans would be affected by their actions. What they have done has put a strain on the goodness of all men – now everyone will be looked at suspiciously. It is like the origin of sin all over again.
The speech is deeply personal, but there is also great outrage at the betrayal of his country. Scroop is an arch hypocrite.
Exeter then arrests them. They appeal to Henry to punish them, but also forgive them. Henry distances himself again, and describes the things that they would have done to a country, saying that the threat to him is not as important as the treat that they imposed in the entire nation of England. The sentence that the men receive is for the citizens of the country, not out of personal outrage. This is not necessarily true, but it is true enough.
Henry used his escape from the assassination attempt to suggest that his cause must be completely righteous, and God must be on his side.
However, Henry says that was Scroop has done to him has killed his heart, which is in a sense exactly the same thing as he has done to Falstaff.
Act 2, scene 3
Hostess Quickly’s description describes how even the most earthy and passionate of men eventually die, and will ultimately have to think if their spiritual existence. There will come a time when we will all be “as cold as any stone.” Even the source of Falstaff’s desire is cold. Despite her mangled English, there is great pain when she speaks of Falstaff’s death.
In this scene, Shakespeare shows us that the people of England are going to war not because of chivalry. They distrust others, and are cynical, earthy people without any ideals about warfare. However, Shakespeare does not present the people as disgusting. War is all about these kinds of ordinary people.
Act 2, scene 4
The French king says that they need to fortify their towns properly, because the English are coming. Shakespeare does not demonize or patronize the enemy. The French wisely reflect on history and will not underestimate their opponents.
The dauphin says that their opponents are no real threat because their leader is “humorous” (fickle and too young). This is ironic, because this description fits the dauphin exactly. He refuses to learn from his father, the French king, who is the living older figure, and this makes him a foolish boy. The dauphin must take the threat of war very seriously.
The dauphin says that they should prepare for war. His fault is his failure to understand people. He doesn’t think that the war is a real threat when in fact it is very real.
Here we have an older man (the king) who is genuinely afraid of the invasion, and a younger man (the dauphin) who will prepare but does not actually feel threatened.
The king speaks of his memories about the battles of Crécy and Poiteé, and how these were great defeats for France. He says that Henry is destined to be a mighty warrior, and he has been trained well. They must not underestimate England’s attack.
Act 3
Chorus
Once again we are invited to use our imagination to the full. Now we have to picture the bold king and his army moving towards France. There is an emphasis again on unity, and a kind of equality. Henry is depicted as the rising sun. People are also depicted as ship boys letting down their sails – everyone’s role is important, and everyone plays a part.
Act 3, Scene 1
Henry launches his attack on Halfleur. “Once more to the breach, dear friends, once more…” This speech uses elevating language, but also confronts the reality of war. He says it at the gap that they have made in the city walls.
In the first section of his speech, he generally addresses the noblemen, his kinsmen and immediate associates as “dear friends”. Humility, quickness and gentleness would usually be normal, admirable qualities during peacetime. Now the soldiers must be aggressive and monstrous. “The brow must jut angrily over your face like the top of an eroded cliff!” Henry uses imagery drawn from war and from the animal world, summoning up powerful emotion, which would not be appropriate in times of peace. He reminds the soldiers of the battles of Crécy and Poiteé, the victories of the past. He also makes reference to Alexander the Great: the greatest conqueror of all time. They must prove that they are not cowards, and that they are worthy of their ancestors. The “Noblest English” must prove that their fathers really begot them, and that must prove that they can uphold the honor of their ancestors. This unnatural situation requires unnatural mettle from them. He encourages them to show the people of “grosser blood” (the common folk) real courage.
The yeomen are now addressed: the foot soldiers and the archers. These would be countrymen and middle-class men. When Henry speaks of noble luster, he means it in the sense of courage and bravery. It is an interesting speech, because it seems to disunite, by mentioning the classes of men separately, but it does in fact bring them together. He stresses that there is a hierarchy, but in battle, all of this disappears and they are completely equal and united. He says that they are all equal because the people, who would usually be regarded as the lowest by society, are brought up by their individual courage. He emphasizes that these people are also noblemen in battle. It is a democratizing speech. He unifies his army in a way that the French would not be able to
He then cries 1) “God for Harry”: the man who stands before them, who sees them all as comrades. He uses informal language and emphasizes that they are all loyal to one another. 2) “For England”: their country and 3) “Their God”. St George is their patron Saint, and this also makes his speech a blessing on the people as they go into the battle.
It is an extraordinarily powerful speech, but it is euphemistic. He encourages them to become like beasts, and he elevates everyone to one level.
Act 3, Scene 2
Bardolph is taken by Henry’s speech. Nym is not so convinced. Nym says that the simple truth is that knocks come and go, and here people are actually being killed. He is not keen to go forth to fight, and just wants the comfort and safety of staying at home.
The boy then delivers quite a scraping commentary of Nym, Pistol and Bardolph. He says Bardolph is pretentious, because he pretends to be brave but does not actually want to fight. He says that Pistol talks much about fighting, but never fights himself. The boy says Nym has few words and is “good” because he will never hurt anyone but himself. The boy says that his own self-respect is significantly diminished by the dishonesty that they expect him to practice. He refuses to steel like the men want him to.
This speech is very carefully placed – it comes just after Henry’s elevating speech,
Then we are introduced to Fluellen. Fluellen is a comic Welsh stereotype. In this scene we have a Welshman, an Englishman, an Irishman and a Scotsman (Macmorris, Fluellen, Gower and Jamy). Shakespeare uses stereotypes here to emphasize how different people will be viewed by others. A very serious point is made in reference to Macmorris’s notion. Shakespeare makes the point that all nations, no matter how different they are, consist of people of equal value and importance. All nations consist of entirely imperfect people.
Act 3, scene 3
Henry is at the gates of Harlfleur when he calls upon the governor to surrender. He describes himself as a “soldier”, once again identifying himself with his men, but also emphasizing the more ruthless, tactical side to his character. He declares that there will be no mercy if the English soldiers are forced to attack, and threatens that the English soldiers “rough and hard of heart” will mow like grass the “fresh flair virgins” and infants of Harlfleur. These are brutal images that counter the glorious representation of war elsewhere in the play. The governor announces that the dauphin, who was not ready in time to defend them, has failed them. He surrenders Harlfleur to Henry, who orders Exeter to secure the town and have mercy on towards the French – a contrast to his recent threatened violence.
Henry’s speech here deliberately uses the power of language to terrify. He stresses that he will not be able to control his soldiery or their anger and ruthlessness, if they do not surrender completely. He describes the consequences: children slaughtered, women raped etc. His language makes the victims of war seem very real and powerful.
Henry is a brilliant orator. He uses his speech to inspire and to terrify. He also knows the realities of war, and is aware of the sicknesses and suffering: he must get to Calais.
Henry’s actual treatment of Harlfleur was considered very merciful: it was considered custom to throw out all the poor people of the town because they could not contribute to the success of the town.
Act 3, scene 4
In the scene, princess Katherine tries to learn English. 1. There is a real and sad sense that the two nations of France and England are truly divided. Acquiring the English language is even so difficult for a French-born person. The two countries are old and traditional enemies. There is division and hostility. 2. There are also many mistaken references to sexuality. This is ironic because sexuality gives life, and war ends it.
Act 3, scene 5
The French regard the English as hybrids – he could never be truly French. They are not natural. How could they not defeat these illegitimate people? They also mock the English land: the coast and the people.
The French underestimate the power of their opponents. “Foggy, raw and dull”: describes the English climate.
The constable says, “How can we, the noble, be so feeble? Why is it that we cannot overthrow them?” He says the English are colder and less passionate, as well as badly fed and barbaric. He says they should not have such power.
He stereotypes the English, and over-simplifies them. The French king calls upon his people to fall upon the English like an avalanche. The scene is a warning against over-simplification of a nation. One of the indications that the French leadership is poor is their arrogance.
Act 3, scene 6
Pistol: “Captain, I thee beseech to do me favors”. Bardolph has been found guilty of steeling an object that is used in mass. Historically, Henry did execute some one for stealing a religious symbol. Henry decreed that the plundering of churches specifically would be punishable by death. It is a small object, and not very valuable, but it is used in very holy religious rites. It was often said that Henry is too harsh, but in fact he is not. He insists on being consistent in all his actions. Discipline must be maintained, especially in a time of war. Even though Bardolph is an old companion of Henry, he cannot be spared. His bribe to Fluellen also does not work. He will be executed.
A serious point is made here: whatever way you depict fortune, it is not fortune that has brought Bardolph into this situation – rather it is simply his own immoral actions. Justice must be blind to the size of the stolen object.
Gower makes Pistol into a representative figure. He pretends to have all the latest military talk, as well as all the fighting experience. This is a devastating claim, because he is not really a soldier at all. He has no real fighting experience. The only reason he went to war was to pretend afterwards that he played an intricate part in the battle.
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Henry thinks that the conquered French must be his subjects, and he displays mercy to win them over. However, all offenders of the law will be punished.
Act 3, scene 7
The French king says that there are no disgraces bad enough for Henry, and no wealth enough to cover their losses.
The speech does not have the vivid power that Henry’s rhetoric has, and his reply to the French’s message was much more powerful. He says that if his men were in perfect health, one of his men would be worth three Frenchmen. He admits that his men have been weakened. “We would not seek a battle as we are, but nor as we are we shunt (Surrender).”
The speech is brilliant because it is honest but also very threatening. There is an element of humility in his speech.
There is also always and acknowledgement of a superior power. Henry does not assert automatic superiority. He rather examines the importance in a leader to acknowledge vulnerability, and the presence of a higher power.
Act 3, scene 7
The dauphin talks with other French noblemen about the brilliance of a horse. However, for all the beauty of the imagery that they use, there is a sense of absurdity. After all, this is an absurd self-glorification.
Shakespeare presents the French as warriors, but they are too obsessed with the flashy details of war, like the horses and the armor, to be truly great soldiers. It should be about the skill of the soldiers, not what they look like.
There is mockery here, but it is very spiteful. It stresses how the French snipe at each other. What undermine the French are their arrogance and an obsession with the trappings of war, rather than the realities. There is also internal division, and no mention of the importance of the role of the common soldiers.
Act 4
Chorus
There is a description of the atmosphere before battle. The chorus reminds us that we are still in a theatre, and we mustn’t forget that we have to use our imaginations.
The chorus comments on the fear, the tension, the waiting and the uncertainty of the soldiers. The chorus talks about Henry’s soldiers, but draws a link between the English and the French soldiers. The similarity in feelings of people from both armies is emphasized.
The French, however, long for the darkness of the night to disappear, so they cam start the battle. Now, the difference in feelings between the two armies is emphasized: they are overly confident and arrogant, and sure about their victory in battle the following day. However, the English soldiers are apprehensive toward the ending of the night, because they know when the day breaks, they will have to fight an army that is much stronger than them in many ways.
Henry moves among his troops, seemingly fearless. He tries to make them feel equal in his eyes, and to give them courage. As he speaks to them and comforts them, he is like the sun, and it melts the coldness of fear. One of the reasons for his military success is because of the unifying power of his words.
The chorus also emphasized that prop swords and stage acting will never justify the huge battle that they are trying to depict. It also reminds us that we are being manipulated, and we must think carefully about what we are being told and what we choose to accept.
Act 4, scene 1
Henry is aware of the dangers of the battle, but he says that they must use it to their advantage. They must use their weak situation to have even more courage and bravery. He also emphasizes the importance of preparation for battle 0 the soldiers must prepare physically, by dressing properly, but they must also be emotionally and morally prepared for the battle.
Shakespeare gives us different viewpoints of the people in Henry’s ranks. Henry enters into conversation with three of his soldiers, in disguise. This shows what Henry is really feeling: he has the same fears as anyone else. He is trapped in a way, because he cannot let his feelings show.
Bates is one of the ordinary soldiers that Henry converses with. He says that they are the king’s subjects, and they are virtuous simply because they are obedient to the king. Even if the cause that they fight for is wrong, they are virtuous because they followed the king.
Williams then speaks with challenging wisdom. He says that, if the king’s cause is not juts, then all the dead and injured shall unite on judgment day. All the death that was not just, will be on the king’s shoulders, because it is difficult to die without a great deal of suffering during battle.
The words of Williams have a great impact on Henry. There is a reminder of his speech to Canterbury in Act 1, when he tells the archbishop to be careful in what he advises, because there will be much suffering if war is decided on. Henry feels moral responsibility for the well being of his soldiers.
Henry’s response to Williams highlights how much the issue has been weighing down on his conscience. He says that “every subject’s duty is the king’s, but every subject’s soul is his own,” and he means that the king cannot be blamed for each soldiers individual wrongdoings in his lifetime. Henry says, “All a king has is ceremony”. All his wealth and power do not mean that he is guaranteed a clear conscience, and the responsibility of such great power is a crushing burden. Henry says that the king gets very little rest and sleep. The peasant gets the most sleep, and the most benefit from the hours the king spends awake. Is the suffering of kingship worth it? This makes us aware that the king is much more than just a warrior king; he is also a very thoughtful king.
The fact that this debate takes place at all is very significant, because it indicates that he will actually be successful in battle. He understands his soldiers, and he regards their suffering as very real and very serious.
Shakespeare gives the soldiers eloquence, and also emphasizes Henry’s humanity. We see Henry pleading with God to help in battle, rather than to punish him now for the mistakes of his predecessor. He is an individual that feels great guilt and responsibility for his father’s wrongdoings.
Act 4, scene 2
There is extreme arrogance of the French here. The English are so starved and weak. They are also horrible outnumbered by the French forces. The French are over-confident.
The description that they give here is filled with contempt and mockery. The executives of the English (people who manage the estate of someone after they are dead) are waiting like vultures back home, fully expectant of the English downfall. This speech exposes the French’s arrogance and their contempt for their enemy. In reality, the French should have won, because the English were very weak and outnumbered. It is an insult to be as arrogant as the French are.
Henry is acutely aware of the uncertainty of existence, and this is what will make them victorious. The greatest achievement at the battle of Agincourt was Henry’s amazing battle techniques. The longbow was the deadliest weapon of the time, and it worked in combination with the great protection that the soldiers made for themselves.
Act 3, scene 3
The final battle scene - Henry now gives the speech of Crispian:
Henry says that if they are defeated and killed, there are enough of them to die honorably for their country. If they are victorious, then they will be all the more triumphant. Henry turns the fear of being outnumbered into something that they can be proud of.
Henry uses the royal plural “we”. He says that we would not want to fight with any man that is not willing and prepared to die with us. He says that he will make it possible for anyone that is afraid to fight to leave now. Henry says that he does not wish to die with someone that is not his brother in arms today. There is an emphasis on authority, but also on the unifying bond of battle, and the “fellowship” that battle incites.
The Battle takes place on St Crispian’s day. Henry says that anyone who survives that day’s battle will remember with pride the feats he committed on St Crispian’s day. Any man who is a veteran of this battle will never forget it. His scars will constantly be displayed. The names of the soldiers will be familiar to everyone: he mentions by name himself and the aristocrats that surround him. They will be freshly remembered, every time the tale is told. Their names will be listed as part of his heroic group. He gives his soldiers a very good definition of honor. He says that they will always be remembered, and always be known by reputation. He turns their huge disadvantage into a triumphant advantage, by turning their few numbers into exclusivity. People who did not fight on this day will be forever envious of those who did.
Act 4, scene 4
Pistol manages to capture a Frenchman, who is even more cowardly than himself, and later he lets the man go for a large bribe.
The boy makes the point that soldiers who take part in these bribes will sometimes be cowardly fools, as Pistol indeed is. The battles are much about luck, their abilities as leeches and their opponents. Through this, England is victorious.
Act 4, scene 5
The French response to their loss: they insist that they must be shameful after the battle because they were so arrogant before the battle. It is better to die now with honor than to live in eternal shame. Their extreme arrogance has been rewarded with extreme humiliation.
Act 4, scene 6
Exeter weeps over the extraordinary ending of some one who fought nobly. This is contrasted with the idiotic behavior of Pistol. There is the ultimate noble death on the battlefield – the death of the duke of York. Henry weeps too. He says he is forced to come to terms with his disobedient eyes, which also wish to die.
When Henry hears that the French are regrouping, he orders that all the prisoners are killed. This, interestingly, comes straight after Exeter’s moving account of the horrors of battle. This was seen as an act of cruelty.
Act 4, scene 7
We see that the French have been guilty of their own atrocities. Both sides have committed crimes against the arms. Gower suggests that Henry’s execution order is a result of their slaughter of the English boy – who was just a child.
There is then a comparison made between Alexander The Great (a military genius) and Henry. However, the link is then made to seem quite ridiculous. Alexander also killed one of his friends – but Henry has not done so. A reference is then made to Falstaff, which suggests that this link may in fact be quite accurate. The suggestion is made that if Henry is indeed like Alexander, he is a great leader, but also ruthless like Alexander was – in battle, and in his personal life. It is a reminder that even the greatest of men are guilty of human vices, appetites and furies.
Act 4, scene 8
Henry’s behavior is a little disturbing because of his inconsistencies. During battle, he says that all soldiers are a band of brothers, but after battle, the hierarchy is reestablished.
Act 5
Henry goes back to England to a multitude of people. He is free of absurd vanity and self-glory. He is also prepared to attribute his victory to God.
Themes
* Power:
How do you secure power? How do you keep it? “Uneasy lies the head that wears the crown”. * Language:
How language is used in art and life, and how language is used to manipulate people, and create truth in the minds of the listeners. How is language used to position people? * Creation of iconic figures
What makes a hero? * Leadership:
Does a man need to be a great man to be a great leader? Is what is good for the leader as an individual good for the nation?
“The hidden motives that actuate princes and their advisors.”
“Romantic, heroic and patriotic delight.” - William Hazlitt
Hazlitt claims that Henry V does reveal the hidden motives of men in power and people who advise them. The play …show more content…
reveals these motives, but also reveals those aspects of Henry’s nature that we can admire and delight in.
Henry is actually a complex mixture of qualities: we can admire and criticize him. The play presents Henry in both lights and he must not be simplified. The play is able to present us with many contrasts, including the heroism of war and the brutality of it.
The play is also about the theatre. It gives us an idea of how we can overcome the challenge of successfully presenting the truth on stage. This play is about theatrical techniques and how the audience must use their imagination to discover the truth. The resources of art give us the impression of reality.
Henry the V constantly reminds us that this is a drama, and we must think of it as a piece of theatre; not reality. Therefore we must think critically about what is presented to us.
Henry V: overview
Edward III: 1327 – 1371
Richard II: 1377 – 1399
Henry IV: 1399 – 1413
Henry V: 1413 – 1422
“I was not the lion, but it fell to me to give the lion’s roar.” – Churchill
This comment is about how incredible oratory provided the English people with the courage that they needed to fight like a lion. Henry V comments on the uses of language and its power, and how it can manipulate people into giving their support. This is a way of keeping power.
Rhetoric: the devices used in language
Right from the start we are told that the play is going to work on us, and influence us through language. The chorus tells us that our imaginations are going to create the huge battles we see on stage, to ensure that Shakespeare's words can bring the play to life for us.
Closing chorus: in the closing chorus, the brevity of Henry V’s actual reign is compared with the short duration of the play. The play is short and dazzling, just as in the play we witness and respond to powerful and dazzling people.
Opening chorus: right from the start there is a suggestion of questioning. What follows in the text indicates that there is a degree of over-simplification. The play examines the glory of heroism. It critically examines the losses associated with that ruler. There is a remarkable quality of ambivalence – of Henry and of the events in the play. Henry’s “linguistic might” is greater than his real moral value.
Henry V is moved to conflict with France through a) History b) Desire of power c) Own personal ambition
Salic law is a law that barred the inheritance of the throne through the female line. This meant Edward III could not claim the French throne. This launched a 100-year war between England and France. His son, the Black Prince (so named because he always wore dark armor) accompanied Edward III. Edward III won the great battle of Crécy in 1346, because of the amazing uses of different weaponry by the English.
One of the most important propaganda tools that can be used is the exploitation of reference to the past, and part victories. It is very important as a moral justification of actions in the present. The Battle of Crécy was also important because is was a battle won by the united people, rather than by groups of armored aristocratic knights.
Edward III then died, and was succeeded by his 11-year-old son, Richard II. He was opposed by a peasant revolt, and the rise of Holland. Huge conquests were not on Richard II agenda. His despotism lead to clashes with powerful diplomats.
He banishes Henry of Lancaster (his cousin) who resents him for this. He eventually returns to oppose Richard II.
Henry IV was the 4th son of Edward III, so he did have a strong claim to the throne. Richard was a weak despotic leader, and was easily overthrown by Henry IV and his many supporters. However, even though Richard II was a despotic leader and increasingly tyrannical, he is the rightful heir to the throne. Anyone who took the throne away (even if justified) would feel extreme guilt and insecurity about their position as king. Many saw Henry IV as a usurper (some one who had seized the throne).
This relates to the insecurity and power of the time of Henry V. Henry V now feels as if God will deny him great glory because of his father’s bloody rise to power. Before his greatest battle, he prays that God does not punish him for his father’s seizing of the throne. He is uncertain of his right to his father’s throne.
Henry IV was very troubled by the immoral behavior he saw in his son. However, even in youth he displayed signs of the king that would develop. When Henry V came to power, he cast off his old companions completely. Great emphasis is placed on Sir John Falstaff. His death is featured in the play.
How does one keep great power? “Uneasy lies the head that wears the crown”: it is important that one is aware of the crown’s uncertainty. There must be awareness that one can only be as successful as his last successful act.
Henry also has to purge from his subjects’ minds the image of the wild youth that he used to be. One of Henry’s greatest talents is his ability to use “honeyed sentences.”
Act 1
Chorus
“Muse of fire”: refers the source of inspirations that will the playwright fire and energy for the exploration of such an extraordinary theme. The “swelling scene” refers to a greater subject matter: one that requires nations to perform. To be worthy of such a theme, there must be a muse of fire. Fire was believed to be that brightest of all elements. A muse is needed that will inspire the greatest amount of passion and thought.
Henry V is already considered to be a warrior king. In reality he would have the power of a magus figure, and would be able to control “famine, fire and sword”. Already, with the mention of famine, fire and sword, there is an element of destructiveness introduced. While the chorus glorifies marshal power, Shakespeare uses language to remind us of the horrors of war.
The chorus already presents the daringness behind even trying to present such a great theme. Shakespeare cleverly plays with the literal smallness of the theatre, but also its great potential. It is possible to present this theme, provided that the audience “peace out our imperfections with thought.” The audience must engage and create. Human imagination must “deck our kings” – the human mind must flesh out the kings, and make them splendid and real. Not only that, but the audience must also leap over time - they must travel back from the 17th centaury to the 15th century. The theatre must carry you back to the middle ages, and the events must be compressed and sped up, and turned into what the playwright wished us them to be. Shakespeare asks the audience to forgive the actors who do not have the military might to successfully portray the battles.
The chorus’ speech looks at the limitations and potential of the “wooden O”. If the audience permits them to do so, then they shall be able to create such a play, but the artwork will only be successful if the audience becomes a creative force. The imagination is seen as a shaping force.
The chorus is a meta-theatrical piece. It looks at the very art of the theatre.
Act 1, scene 1
The two men are worried about the confiscation of church wealth by the new king. They talk about a possible distraction that they can find to ensure that they retain their immense wealth and the power associated with it.
The men are two bishops – of Canterbury and of Ely. They are prelates (powerful people in the church).
In mediate res: in the middle of things. There was a bill that was going to be passed, but the “scrambling and unquiet time” prevented this bill from going forward. There was political turbulence. The bill was forgotten amidst the disunity of the time.
The bishop of Canterbury says that the bill aims to strip the church’s inheritance (when people leave money to the church in their wills). The bishop says that the bill would take away property that is valuable enough to support the army, relieve the poor and donate to the king’s treasury.
The purpose of the meeting between the two bishops is to “drink deep” – consume their wealth. They meet to discuss how the bill can be prevented.
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The progress to manhood can occur as the result of a great tragedy. The death of Henry V’s father really did transform him. Canterbury is particularly amazed at this. The “offending Adam” has been driven out, along with the fleshy sins of his youth.
The two bishops become hyperbolic in their language, describing Henry’s change. The “hydra” that they talk about was a multiple headed monster that was eventually killed by Hercules. In the same was, the monster inside Henry has been killed and he has become a virtuous, intellectual and devoutly religious man.
The suggestion is that these underlying qualities were in Henry all along. What brought about the activation of these qualities was the will to change. Henry had never had any responsibility before, so these admirable qualities were never needed. He was suddenly confronted with extraordinary responsibility and he now has an outlet for these gifts.
For Shakespeare, Henry is a very complex human being. There is potential for sin in everyone, but there is also potential for such extraordinary change. What Henry desires is an outlet for his good qualities. He understands the magnitude of his responsibilities. He is a flawed person, and he did indulge in debauchery when under the wrong influences.
Canterbury says that when he hears Henry talking about religion, he wishes he were a prelate because he is so well informed. He is the same with political issues and descriptions of welfare. When the king speaks, the very air (which is faithful to no one) is faithful to him.
Henry is exactly the man that the listeners want him to be. There is a sense that Henry is skillfully everything to every man. He is an extraordinary man, but there is a large degree of manipulation. Canterbury points out that Henry speaks so brilliantly and clearly of so many things, that he simply must have the experience. However, Henry did never isolate himself or devote himself to his studies. He was always a playboy prince, but is clearly a naturally born intellectual man, with an incredible ability with words.
Ely uses two images to describe where Henry got his experience:
The idea is that natural gifts flourish when they are unseen by the public eye. He stresses that his abilities were hidden, but this does not in any way mean that they were not there. He has been exposed to scummy companions, which are here described as “unlettered” and “rude” characters.
The bishops choose to give Henry a far greater sum than has ever before been given by the church, before he takes everything away from them by passing the bill, to satisfy his ambitions. The threat of the bill is much greater, so in a way, their money is a kind of bribe. Their purpose here is not to debate the bill, but to mitigate it.
The prelates understand that, if they give Henry enough money to satisfy his military ambitions, then he will leave the church be.
The church in the middle ages provided a lot of agricultural developments, as well as all the charity and most of the health care. Shakespeare does suggest that there is greed at work here by the bishops – they are politically cunning. They are both powerful people, who are determined to protect their own interests. Already, Henry is thinking favorably towards them.
Act 1, scene 2
Already we see that Henry is very comfortable in his position as king.
Henry says that God forbids us to twist the truth, because this is such an important issue (lines 15 >). Only God knows how many lives will shed their blood to satisfy whatever course of action they might take. Henry says that they should not warp the truth to satisfy him because this is a very serious action. Henry feels certain that they will justify an action that they already seem eager to take.
He says that every drop of blood that is shed during war causes great guilt for those that demanded it was shed. Henry knows that there has to be much blood shed when two great nations like England and France clash. It shall be his fault if blood is shed unjustly.
Canterbury's speech:
It is meant to be a tedious speech. To suit his own purposes, he is able to use very verbose and historically correct language to justify the war. It suits him for Henry to go to war because it will distract him from affairs at home, including the passing of the bill that diminishes the church’s wealth. He encourages Henry to go to war because it will distract “giddy mind by foreign quarrels.” Canterbury’s argument is true, and all his information and dallies are exact. He uses rhetoric to befuddle and confuse Henry. Canterbury uses particularly verbose language for a reason: it is not the kind of language that can be argued with. All his facts are correct and accurate.
He says that there are doubts about where the lands that fall under Salic Law actually are. Essentially, Canterbury insists that the throne cannot be inherited through the female line because if Salic law, but they do not know to which pieces of the country the laws fall over. The territory is doubtful. The historical founder of the law is also dubious.
The French people also want a king that has inherited through the female line.
He also suggests that the current king inherited through the female line. Canterbury says that the French king is fundamentally dishonest and has essentially stolen the throne from Henry’s ancestors. The implication is that the French laws that are being applied to Henry are not being applied to themselves.
The problem is that Henry’s claim to his own throne is also dubious. His own father usurped the throne.
Canterbury goes on the mention Henry’s great ancestors and urges him to follow in their footsteps. The rhetoric that the archbishop uses does make us feel uneasy, because of his violent images of a “bloody flag” and “forage in the blood.” Canterbury urges Henry to show his strength, and suggests that he could be even greater than the black prince because he is in the prime of his youth. “Live up to your ancestors, and write new chapters in England’s tale.”
The archbishop’s speech is actually very important and very convincing, even though it is so lengthy and complicated. He also compliments Henry once again. “The strawberry grows…. baser qualities.” Strawberries could flourish under such base plants – Canterbury compliments the way the king has changed, and become a moral man. Henry was able to cast off the old bad
influences.
There is a sense of rationalizing here, and of finding reasons to justify a decision that has already been made. Henry expects that he will be advised to go to war. Henry himself went to war at a very early age, so he is aware of the horrors of war. There is reason to believe that there is no empathy behind his decisions.
If the decision to go to war has already been made, then why hold these meetings at all? Henry needs to give the impression that he takes the people’s advice into account, and that he is not an aggressor.
How much of this is sincere? There is a part of this that is public display. He encourages the church to push him in the direction of war. However, there is a sense that he does want the security of spiritual approval, but the very diction he uses suggests that he thinks this war is justified. He does question the righteousness behind his claim. However, Henry is very eager to be convinced because if he was a war warrior, then his people would be distracted by his heroism and not question his right to his own throne.
Henry is seen as a “lion” because of his strength and majesty, but also because of his strength in attack. Westmorland says that the people of England are behind him. Canterbury also mentions that the church will give him more money than ever before in his cause.
Henry goes on to say that he must leave troops behind in case the Scotts try to take advantage of the king’s absence. Ely compares Henry to an eagle: when the eagle is away, the Scotts are like weasels and will eat the eagle’s eggs. Then the Scotts are compared to being mice: causing havoc while the cat is away. This expresses a genuine xenophobic attitude.
The king considers not going o war to protect his country, but Exeter argues that, if this argument were followed, the no country would ever go to war. There are other layers of government that will do the job well in Henry’s absence, because the king’s state is very well governed.
Canterbury argues that it will be the same as heaven, where tasks are divided amongst all. All of them unite to serve God and be obedient to him.
He then compares these people to a beehive; an orderly working society. Canterbury justifies the caste system – where everyone has a role to play and they are satisfied with their job. He mixes precise descriptions of bees with human terminology – “office, magistrates, king”.
Canterbury is aware that bees bring back nectar to make honey. It is not the same as humans going to war. It is a very manipulative analogy. Shakespeare suggests that men of the church should not be so determined for war. He gives a warped and marshal feeling to the image of the bees – an image that was typically used to symbolize peace. Exeter also uses the image of music to reassure Henry that they will all be ok in his absence – they will all operate in harmony.
Henry now feels completely justified about going to war because: * Biblically and historically justified, through Canterbury’s accurate and tangled descriptions. * Politically justified (through the exploration of Salic law) * A reference to the glorious past – there is an appeal for courage and glory. * Comforting flattery from his advisors * Trivializing of energy
Henry says that when he takes over France, he will make them accept his authority, saying they must accept him as their king “or break it all to pieces.” Here we see the ruthlessness of Henry. He says he will either be noble enough for all of history to speak of his nobility openly, or else he shall not be spoken of at all, because if he loses the battle, the shame will be too great. The qualities that come through here are Henry’s great courage and ambition. He is resolved and ready to go to France. However, Henry is still receiving messages fro the French price, suggesting that there are still negotiations going on, clearly in an effort to resolve conflict. Henry, however, has already decided. Henry does understand his own personality. When he receives messages from France, he knows that he must control his own personal passions and temper. The dauphin mocks Henry, saying that the demands that Henry makes are childish demands. He says that there is no territory in France that can be won through hedonistic dancing. This is a very harsh blow to Henry’s motives. The dauphin says that Henry is still to young and inexperienced. He offers piles of “treasure” that turn into tennis balls. Henry goes on o say that their rackets will match the balls that France have sent, and they shall play a set that will strike the crown off the king’s head. The tennis that they play is not modern tennis; it refers to a different form of the game.
Henry is careful to always be correct, and there is always a mention of “God’s grace”. He says that England’s weaponry will match France’s balls, and that they shall be beaten at their own game. Henry says that he has learnt from his wildly spent youth, and he has changed. The language is formal and diplomatic. He says that this joke will affect France devastatingly, and the French populous of the future will condemn the dauphin for his attitude. The word “chide” suggests that it is in fact the dauphin who is like a child.
His language then changes and becomes much more personal: he stops using the royal “we” which is correct when he is expressing thoughts regarding the country and his decisions about it, and shifts to the personal “I”. He says that his idol, frivolous youth has taught him, and he takes his kingship very seriously now. Henry says that the dauphin will be blinded by his brilliance.
This speech reveals Henry’s anger, and a sense of shame over his youth. The dauphin has focused on precisely what will enrage Henry, and he attacks Henry’s weak points. This is more that patriotic anger. The dauphins insult is also so hard for Henry to come to terms with, because it implies that he in incapable of change. It is a completely undiplomatic gesture on behalf of the dauphin.
Act 2
Chorus
The image of “fire” is once again used. If people are filled with fire, they are filled with valiance, patriotism and passion. The people of England are filled with fire to become great warriors. There is a spirit of urgency in the speech.
“Silken”: people have put aside their silken feelings and silken clothing for the good of the war. The main concentration now is on battle, and not on the luxuries of livelihood.
The people want to move to France as quickly as if they were “mercury”. The expectation is personified, as all the people have very high expectations of the battle and of the victory. There is a specific reference here to “crowns and coronets” – to king Edwards coat of arms, which is a sword surrounded by crowns. The negative connotations of war are often expressed in the play, but here, the chorus speaks of the amazing unifying spirit of war.
“Policy” (line 14) suggests a devious kind of intrigue. England seeks to conquer France’s policy. If only all were as faithful as most people are, then there would be no limit to what England could achieve. What he says here is that they are by no means united. France has bribed three very powerful aristocrats, and it is a significant conspiracy. They have plotted the king’s death before he has even set out to war.
Again the chorus reminds us of our job as the viewers of the play: it is not literal. It is a work that needs audience involvement in the form of imagination.
We then move to South Hampton to accompany Henry on his trip to France.
In summary:
The chorus starts with an air of real unity. People are putting aside their own luxuries and indulgences to fight for their country. This is however undercut by the three mentioned traitors (scene 2).
Blank verse: unrhymed iambic pentameter. This is the style that Shakespeare writes in. there are five main stresses for each line.
Act 2, scene 1
Bardolph and Nym are two ordinary people but they are associates of Sir John Falstaff. He represents earthly humanity. He is a pleasure-loving, gross and witty knight.
When Henry was younger, Falstaff was Henry’s close companion. When Henry casts off Falstaff and rejects him, he is rejecting the pleasure-loving, unrestrained aspect of his own nature. In this play, we consider to what extent it is acceptable to reject true friends to better you.
Falstaff is disgusting, but he is also very appealing. He is a life-loving picture, and we do admire him for his wit.
“Corporal” is Nym’s military rank. It is very high. “Lieutenant” is Bardolph’s rank – it is even higher.
Nym says little, but what he says does have a sinister feeling to it. His words also have a sense that it is a much deeper meaning to them, when they do not. Nym is not keen to go to war and be heroic, because he is scared of the battle. Nym also lost his fiancé to Pistol. Pistol then enters the room, and Bardolph encourages Nym not to get angry with him.
Bardolph calls Pistol a landlord. This is insulting because he is actually an officer of a very high rank. He calls him this because he married a landlady. He is subtly accusing her of being a brothel owner.
It is all very bizarre, because these people are not unified at all, as the chorus suggests they would be. Shakespeare brings us down to earth by showing us the ordinary people that will make up Henry’s army. Swords are being drawn here over mistress Quickly (Nell), not over territorial claim and the battle with France.
In the insult, there is a lot of sexual innuendo that is amusing. They then put away their swords. Pistol calls Nym a “prick-eared cur”, which is a kind of small dog. Nym says that he would rather fight him alone.
Pistol goes on to accuse Nym of having venereal disease. Venereal disease is equated with betrayed sexuality. “Spital” is a place for treating venereal diseases. Pistol says Nym must go find a diseased prostitute, but he must not attempt to take away his own wife, Mistress Quickly.
Shakespeare clearly uses a lot of animal imagery, to describe sexuality, self-centered longings etc. and it makes a point about the humans that we all are.
For all the flourishing swords, they do not actually physically attack each other.
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Hostess Quickly: “the king hath killed his heart”. The king rejected his old best friend, Sir John Falstaff, and now Falstaff will never recover from it.
The actual men who make up the army of Henry V are crude, disgusting and greedy men.
The king has inflicted his own anger on Falstaff, and now his melancholy feelings about the king’s rejection have caused him to be critically ill. He is dying in great sorrow. Nym underlines this. Amongst their course jokes, there is no real sympathy for Falstaff, and they do not wish for his recovery.
There is a suggestion here that the king is a good king, but he does have some strange actions. They are all on Falstaff’s side here: they feel sympathy that Henry cast him out, but they do not sympathize with Henry’s decision in rejecting him. Henry cannot afford to be associated with Falstaff in his new position as king, but there is a discomfort around how quickly Henry shifted from being best friends with Falstaff to completely rejecting him.
Falstaff is gross, but as readers, we do feel sorry for him in his end. He is capable of suffering. He feels so cut off by Henry that his heart is broken.
Act 2, scene 2
“Bold” – stupid. Henry feels stupid that he trusted these traitors in the first place.
Westmorland is amazed at how easily they presented themselves as the king’s supporters. There is a sense of extreme treachery. The “bedfellow” (closest friend) of the king betrayed him.
The king knows they are traitors, but the traitors do not yet know that they have been discovered. When the king enters, we wonder how he is going to handle the situation. It is a test of true leadership.
Henry states that there is nobody who isn’t dedicated to the cause completely. He says that everyone who has to stay behind in England wishes that they could be in France fighting. By saying this, he underlines the enormity of the crime that has been committed. In a sense, he also gives the three traitors a chance to come forward, and repent.
However, they do not come forward. Rather, they pretend to support him further. The words that they use show their hypocrisy. They use false flattery and hyperbolic patriotism. The king’s words incite them to extreme loyalty that the king knows is false.
Henry says that people who are loyal to him will be rewarded greatly. He has given them a strong reason to be loyal, rather than treacherous. He once again gives them the opportunity to beg for mercy.
Scroop still doesn’t come forward – the closest of Henry’s companions out of the three men. He continues with flattery, saying that the justice of Henry’s rule increases people’s strength of followers.
Henry goes onto to say what true patriotism and loyalty mean, followed by an expression of absolute trust in his people. This repeated chance for the men to repent just leads them to being all the more false. In a way he gives them rope to hang themselves with.
Henry is then very clever. An ordinary man had recently insulted the king, and he was imprisoned for it. Henry tells Exeter to release the man, because he is a drunkard, and was under the influence of alcohol at the time he said it.
Scroop jumps in and says that the king should be merciful, but he should also be strong, so that others do not follow this man’s example.
Henry says that we (using the royal plural) cannot “wink at” (pardon) small fault, then how should we react to capital crimes, that are “chewed, swallowed and digested”- all the crimes that have been carefully calculated. He says that the man will be released in spite of his friends’ “careful care”. “Dear preservation of my person…” – this speech of Henry’s is delivered with no irony in his voice. He must not be sarcastic – they must not yet know that he knows of their treachery. They must have no warning.
They all get given documents. They expect these documents to be confirmation of their power as regents while Henry is at war in France. Instead, when they open the documents, they find that they are actually death warrants.
Now, all three traitors break down and confess. Henry will now give them no mercy, because their own words about mercy turn against them like dogs. They said that if Henry does show mercy, then it might set a bad example for others. He calls them all monsters, because a lack of love for ones country is seen as unnatural and monstrous.
Henry then lists their faults: * Cambridge has for a few light crowns from France discarded Henry’s love for him. * Grey and Cambridge swore to kill him. How could they treasure France’s money more than Henry’s love for them? * Scroop was Henry’s closest friend, and if he had wanted to, he could’ve drained Henry of his money for his own gain. Why would he have turned against him? It was possible for him to have everything he desired, in terms of wealth. He was the Chancellor of the Exchequer (the head of the treasury). Henry did not know that he had “one spark of evil”. He should not have wanted to hurt even Henry’s finger, because Henry has treated him so incredibly well. He says that murder and treason always go together. Henry says that whatever devil tempted Scroop must be very savage.
There is a lot of hurt here as well. He expresses his fury, as well as his shock and pain. They all had so much – why would they betray him?
Generally, the people that commit treason tend to feel that what they are doing is actually what is best for their country. Men have deceived themselves that what they have done is for ultimate goodness.
St Peter, Chapter V, vs. 8:
“Be sober, be vigilant; because your advisory, your enemy, the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.”
Henry says that these men did not even deceive themselves, or pretend that what they were doing was good. The devils that tempted them did not justify their actions with goodness. The men just deceived him because it seemed as though they simply wanted to.
Henry says that they action have poisoned all feelings of trust and loyalty. His men appear to be thoughtful, have honorable backgrounds, be loyal and hardworking. However, these traitors did too. Now he can trust no one, no matter how virtuous they seem. He lists all the qualities that make for a truly virtuous person. These include people who are genuinely religious, and “some one who is as he appears to be”. The horror here is that Scroop appeared to embody all these qualities, when in fact he did not at all. What they have done is so terrible that the most tainted humans would be affected by their actions. What they have done has put a strain on the goodness of all men – now everyone will be looked at suspiciously. It is like the origin of sin all over again.
The speech is deeply personal, but there is also great outrage at the betrayal of his country. Scroop is an arch hypocrite.
Exeter then arrests them. They appeal to Henry to punish them, but also forgive them. Henry distances himself again, and describes the things that they would have done to a country, saying that the threat to him is not as important as the treat that they imposed in the entire nation of England. The sentence that the men receive is for the citizens of the country, not out of personal outrage. This is not necessarily true, but it is true enough.
Henry used his escape from the assassination attempt to suggest that his cause must be completely righteous, and God must be on his side.
However, Henry says that was Scroop has done to him has killed his heart, which is in a sense exactly the same thing as he has done to Falstaff.
Act 2, scene 3
Hostess Quickly’s description describes how even the most earthy and passionate of men eventually die, and will ultimately have to think if their spiritual existence. There will come a time when we will all be “as cold as any stone.” Even the source of Falstaff’s desire is cold. Despite her mangled English, there is great pain when she speaks of Falstaff’s death.
In this scene, Shakespeare shows us that the people of England are going to war not because of chivalry. They distrust others, and are cynical, earthy people without any ideals about warfare. However, Shakespeare does not present the people as disgusting. War is all about these kinds of ordinary people.
Act 2, scene 4
The French king says that they need to fortify their towns properly, because the English are coming. Shakespeare does not demonize or patronize the enemy. The French wisely reflect on history and will not underestimate their opponents.
The dauphin says that their opponents are no real threat because their leader is “humorous” (fickle and too young). This is ironic, because this description fits the dauphin exactly. He refuses to learn from his father, the French king, who is the living older figure, and this makes him a foolish boy. The dauphin must take the threat of war very seriously.
The dauphin says that they should prepare for war. His fault is his failure to understand people. He doesn’t think that the war is a real threat when in fact it is very real.
Here we have an older man (the king) who is genuinely afraid of the invasion, and a younger man (the dauphin) who will prepare but does not actually feel threatened.
The king speaks of his memories about the battles of Crécy and Poiteé, and how these were great defeats for France. He says that Henry is destined to be a mighty warrior, and he has been trained well. They must not underestimate England’s attack.
Act 3
Chorus
Once again we are invited to use our imagination to the full. Now we have to picture the bold king and his army moving towards France. There is an emphasis again on unity, and a kind of equality. Henry is depicted as the rising sun. People are also depicted as ship boys letting down their sails – everyone’s role is important, and everyone plays a part.
Act 3, Scene 1
Henry launches his attack on Halfleur. “Once more to the breach, dear friends, once more…” This speech uses elevating language, but also confronts the reality of war. He says it at the gap that they have made in the city walls.
In the first section of his speech, he generally addresses the noblemen, his kinsmen and immediate associates as “dear friends”. Humility, quickness and gentleness would usually be normal, admirable qualities during peacetime. Now the soldiers must be aggressive and monstrous. “The brow must jut angrily over your face like the top of an eroded cliff!” Henry uses imagery drawn from war and from the animal world, summoning up powerful emotion, which would not be appropriate in times of peace. He reminds the soldiers of the battles of Crécy and Poiteé, the victories of the past. He also makes reference to Alexander the Great: the greatest conqueror of all time. They must prove that they are not cowards, and that they are worthy of their ancestors. The “Noblest English” must prove that their fathers really begot them, and that must prove that they can uphold the honor of their ancestors. This unnatural situation requires unnatural mettle from them. He encourages them to show the people of “grosser blood” (the common folk) real courage.
The yeomen are now addressed: the foot soldiers and the archers. These would be countrymen and middle-class men. When Henry speaks of noble luster, he means it in the sense of courage and bravery. It is an interesting speech, because it seems to disunite, by mentioning the classes of men separately, but it does in fact bring them together. He stresses that there is a hierarchy, but in battle, all of this disappears and they are completely equal and united. He says that they are all equal because the people, who would usually be regarded as the lowest by society, are brought up by their individual courage. He emphasizes that these people are also noblemen in battle. It is a democratizing speech. He unifies his army in a way that the French would not be able to
He then cries 1) “God for Harry”: the man who stands before them, who sees them all as comrades. He uses informal language and emphasizes that they are all loyal to one another. 2) “For England”: their country and 3) “Their God”. St George is their patron Saint, and this also makes his speech a blessing on the people as they go into the battle.
It is an extraordinarily powerful speech, but it is euphemistic. He encourages them to become like beasts, and he elevates everyone to one level.
Act 3, Scene 2
Bardolph is taken by Henry’s speech. Nym is not so convinced. Nym says that the simple truth is that knocks come and go, and here people are actually being killed. He is not keen to go forth to fight, and just wants the comfort and safety of staying at home.
The boy then delivers quite a scraping commentary of Nym, Pistol and Bardolph. He says Bardolph is pretentious, because he pretends to be brave but does not actually want to fight. He says that Pistol talks much about fighting, but never fights himself. The boy says Nym has few words and is “good” because he will never hurt anyone but himself. The boy says that his own self-respect is significantly diminished by the dishonesty that they expect him to practice. He refuses to steel like the men want him to.
This speech is very carefully placed – it comes just after Henry’s elevating speech,
Then we are introduced to Fluellen. Fluellen is a comic Welsh stereotype. In this scene we have a Welshman, an Englishman, an Irishman and a Scotsman (Macmorris, Fluellen, Gower and Jamy). Shakespeare uses stereotypes here to emphasize how different people will be viewed by others. A very serious point is made in reference to Macmorris’s notion. Shakespeare makes the point that all nations, no matter how different they are, consist of people of equal value and importance. All nations consist of entirely imperfect people.
Act 3, scene 3
Henry is at the gates of Harlfleur when he calls upon the governor to surrender. He describes himself as a “soldier”, once again identifying himself with his men, but also emphasizing the more ruthless, tactical side to his character. He declares that there will be no mercy if the English soldiers are forced to attack, and threatens that the English soldiers “rough and hard of heart” will mow like grass the “fresh flair virgins” and infants of Harlfleur. These are brutal images that counter the glorious representation of war elsewhere in the play. The governor announces that the dauphin, who was not ready in time to defend them, has failed them. He surrenders Harlfleur to Henry, who orders Exeter to secure the town and have mercy on towards the French – a contrast to his recent threatened violence.
Henry’s speech here deliberately uses the power of language to terrify. He stresses that he will not be able to control his soldiery or their anger and ruthlessness, if they do not surrender completely. He describes the consequences: children slaughtered, women raped etc. His language makes the victims of war seem very real and powerful.
Henry is a brilliant orator. He uses his speech to inspire and to terrify. He also knows the realities of war, and is aware of the sicknesses and suffering: he must get to Calais.
Henry’s actual treatment of Harlfleur was considered very merciful: it was considered custom to throw out all the poor people of the town because they could not contribute to the success of the town.
Act 3, scene 4
In the scene, princess Katherine tries to learn English. 1. There is a real and sad sense that the two nations of France and England are truly divided. Acquiring the English language is even so difficult for a French-born person. The two countries are old and traditional enemies. There is division and hostility. 2. There are also many mistaken references to sexuality. This is ironic because sexuality gives life, and war ends it.
Act 3, scene 5
The French regard the English as hybrids – he could never be truly French. They are not natural. How could they not defeat these illegitimate people? They also mock the English land: the coast and the people.
The French underestimate the power of their opponents. “Foggy, raw and dull”: describes the English climate.
The constable says, “How can we, the noble, be so feeble? Why is it that we cannot overthrow them?” He says the English are colder and less passionate, as well as badly fed and barbaric. He says they should not have such power.
He stereotypes the English, and over-simplifies them. The French king calls upon his people to fall upon the English like an avalanche. The scene is a warning against over-simplification of a nation. One of the indications that the French leadership is poor is their arrogance.
Act 3, scene 6
Pistol: “Captain, I thee beseech to do me favors”. Bardolph has been found guilty of steeling an object that is used in mass. Historically, Henry did execute some one for stealing a religious symbol. Henry decreed that the plundering of churches specifically would be punishable by death. It is a small object, and not very valuable, but it is used in very holy religious rites. It was often said that Henry is too harsh, but in fact he is not. He insists on being consistent in all his actions. Discipline must be maintained, especially in a time of war. Even though Bardolph is an old companion of Henry, he cannot be spared. His bribe to Fluellen also does not work. He will be executed.
A serious point is made here: whatever way you depict fortune, it is not fortune that has brought Bardolph into this situation – rather it is simply his own immoral actions. Justice must be blind to the size of the stolen object.
Gower makes Pistol into a representative figure. He pretends to have all the latest military talk, as well as all the fighting experience. This is a devastating claim, because he is not really a soldier at all. He has no real fighting experience. The only reason he went to war was to pretend afterwards that he played an intricate part in the battle.
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Henry thinks that the conquered French must be his subjects, and he displays mercy to win them over. However, all offenders of the law will be punished.
Act 3, scene 7
The French king says that there are no disgraces bad enough for Henry, and no wealth enough to cover their losses.
The speech does not have the vivid power that Henry’s rhetoric has, and his reply to the French’s message was much more powerful. He says that if his men were in perfect health, one of his men would be worth three Frenchmen. He admits that his men have been weakened. “We would not seek a battle as we are, but nor as we are we shunt (Surrender).”
The speech is brilliant because it is honest but also very threatening. There is an element of humility in his speech.
There is also always and acknowledgement of a superior power. Henry does not assert automatic superiority. He rather examines the importance in a leader to acknowledge vulnerability, and the presence of a higher power.
Act 3, scene 7
The dauphin talks with other French noblemen about the brilliance of a horse. However, for all the beauty of the imagery that they use, there is a sense of absurdity. After all, this is an absurd self-glorification.
Shakespeare presents the French as warriors, but they are too obsessed with the flashy details of war, like the horses and the armor, to be truly great soldiers. It should be about the skill of the soldiers, not what they look like.
There is mockery here, but it is very spiteful. It stresses how the French snipe at each other. What undermine the French are their arrogance and an obsession with the trappings of war, rather than the realities. There is also internal division, and no mention of the importance of the role of the common soldiers.
Act 4
Chorus
There is a description of the atmosphere before battle. The chorus reminds us that we are still in a theatre, and we mustn’t forget that we have to use our imaginations.
The chorus comments on the fear, the tension, the waiting and the uncertainty of the soldiers. The chorus talks about Henry’s soldiers, but draws a link between the English and the French soldiers. The similarity in feelings of people from both armies is emphasized.
The French, however, long for the darkness of the night to disappear, so they cam start the battle. Now, the difference in feelings between the two armies is emphasized: they are overly confident and arrogant, and sure about their victory in battle the following day. However, the English soldiers are apprehensive toward the ending of the night, because they know when the day breaks, they will have to fight an army that is much stronger than them in many ways.
Henry moves among his troops, seemingly fearless. He tries to make them feel equal in his eyes, and to give them courage. As he speaks to them and comforts them, he is like the sun, and it melts the coldness of fear. One of the reasons for his military success is because of the unifying power of his words.
The chorus also emphasized that prop swords and stage acting will never justify the huge battle that they are trying to depict. It also reminds us that we are being manipulated, and we must think carefully about what we are being told and what we choose to accept.
Act 4, scene 1
Henry is aware of the dangers of the battle, but he says that they must use it to their advantage. They must use their weak situation to have even more courage and bravery. He also emphasizes the importance of preparation for battle 0 the soldiers must prepare physically, by dressing properly, but they must also be emotionally and morally prepared for the battle.
Shakespeare gives us different viewpoints of the people in Henry’s ranks. Henry enters into conversation with three of his soldiers, in disguise. This shows what Henry is really feeling: he has the same fears as anyone else. He is trapped in a way, because he cannot let his feelings show.
Bates is one of the ordinary soldiers that Henry converses with. He says that they are the king’s subjects, and they are virtuous simply because they are obedient to the king. Even if the cause that they fight for is wrong, they are virtuous because they followed the king.
Williams then speaks with challenging wisdom. He says that, if the king’s cause is not juts, then all the dead and injured shall unite on judgment day. All the death that was not just, will be on the king’s shoulders, because it is difficult to die without a great deal of suffering during battle.
The words of Williams have a great impact on Henry. There is a reminder of his speech to Canterbury in Act 1, when he tells the archbishop to be careful in what he advises, because there will be much suffering if war is decided on. Henry feels moral responsibility for the well being of his soldiers.
Henry’s response to Williams highlights how much the issue has been weighing down on his conscience. He says that “every subject’s duty is the king’s, but every subject’s soul is his own,” and he means that the king cannot be blamed for each soldiers individual wrongdoings in his lifetime. Henry says, “All a king has is ceremony”. All his wealth and power do not mean that he is guaranteed a clear conscience, and the responsibility of such great power is a crushing burden. Henry says that the king gets very little rest and sleep. The peasant gets the most sleep, and the most benefit from the hours the king spends awake. Is the suffering of kingship worth it? This makes us aware that the king is much more than just a warrior king; he is also a very thoughtful king.
The fact that this debate takes place at all is very significant, because it indicates that he will actually be successful in battle. He understands his soldiers, and he regards their suffering as very real and very serious.
Shakespeare gives the soldiers eloquence, and also emphasizes Henry’s humanity. We see Henry pleading with God to help in battle, rather than to punish him now for the mistakes of his predecessor. He is an individual that feels great guilt and responsibility for his father’s wrongdoings.
Act 4, scene 2
There is extreme arrogance of the French here. The English are so starved and weak. They are also horrible outnumbered by the French forces. The French are over-confident.
The description that they give here is filled with contempt and mockery. The executives of the English (people who manage the estate of someone after they are dead) are waiting like vultures back home, fully expectant of the English downfall. This speech exposes the French’s arrogance and their contempt for their enemy. In reality, the French should have won, because the English were very weak and outnumbered. It is an insult to be as arrogant as the French are.
Henry is acutely aware of the uncertainty of existence, and this is what will make them victorious. The greatest achievement at the battle of Agincourt was Henry’s amazing battle techniques. The longbow was the deadliest weapon of the time, and it worked in combination with the great protection that the soldiers made for themselves.
Act 3, scene 3
The final battle scene - Henry now gives the speech of Crispian:
Henry says that if they are defeated and killed, there are enough of them to die honorably for their country. If they are victorious, then they will be all the more triumphant. Henry turns the fear of being outnumbered into something that they can be proud of.
Henry uses the royal plural “we”. He says that we would not want to fight with any man that is not willing and prepared to die with us. He says that he will make it possible for anyone that is afraid to fight to leave now. Henry says that he does not wish to die with someone that is not his brother in arms today. There is an emphasis on authority, but also on the unifying bond of battle, and the “fellowship” that battle incites.
The Battle takes place on St Crispian’s day. Henry says that anyone who survives that day’s battle will remember with pride the feats he committed on St Crispian’s day. Any man who is a veteran of this battle will never forget it. His scars will constantly be displayed. The names of the soldiers will be familiar to everyone: he mentions by name himself and the aristocrats that surround him. They will be freshly remembered, every time the tale is told. Their names will be listed as part of his heroic group. He gives his soldiers a very good definition of honor. He says that they will always be remembered, and always be known by reputation. He turns their huge disadvantage into a triumphant advantage, by turning their few numbers into exclusivity. People who did not fight on this day will be forever envious of those who did.
Act 4, scene 4
Pistol manages to capture a Frenchman, who is even more cowardly than himself, and later he lets the man go for a large bribe.
The boy makes the point that soldiers who take part in these bribes will sometimes be cowardly fools, as Pistol indeed is. The battles are much about luck, their abilities as leeches and their opponents. Through this, England is victorious.
Act 4, scene 5
The French response to their loss: they insist that they must be shameful after the battle because they were so arrogant before the battle. It is better to die now with honor than to live in eternal shame. Their extreme arrogance has been rewarded with extreme humiliation.
Act 4, scene 6
Exeter weeps over the extraordinary ending of some one who fought nobly. This is contrasted with the idiotic behavior of Pistol. There is the ultimate noble death on the battlefield – the death of the duke of York. Henry weeps too. He says he is forced to come to terms with his disobedient eyes, which also wish to die.
When Henry hears that the French are regrouping, he orders that all the prisoners are killed. This, interestingly, comes straight after Exeter’s moving account of the horrors of battle. This was seen as an act of cruelty.
Act 4, scene 7
We see that the French have been guilty of their own atrocities. Both sides have committed crimes against the arms. Gower suggests that Henry’s execution order is a result of their slaughter of the English boy – who was just a child.
There is then a comparison made between Alexander The Great (a military genius) and Henry. However, the link is then made to seem quite ridiculous. Alexander also killed one of his friends – but Henry has not done so. A reference is then made to Falstaff, which suggests that this link may in fact be quite accurate. The suggestion is made that if Henry is indeed like Alexander, he is a great leader, but also ruthless like Alexander was – in battle, and in his personal life. It is a reminder that even the greatest of men are guilty of human vices, appetites and furies.
Act 4, scene 8
Henry’s behavior is a little disturbing because of his inconsistencies. During battle, he says that all soldiers are a band of brothers, but after battle, the hierarchy is reestablished.
Act 5
Henry goes back to England to a multitude of people. He is free of absurd vanity and self-glory. He is also prepared to attribute his victory to God.