Henry Weapons Training
Question:
HOW HAS YOUR UNDERSTANDING OF AUTHORITY BEEN ENHANCED BY YOUR STUDY OF SHAKESPEARE’S PLAY HENRY V AND AT LEAST ONE PIECE OF RELATED MATERIAL?
Essay:
The close study of Henry V and Weapons Training by Bruce Dawes has enhanced the concept of authority by portraying the idea through varying levels and perspectives. The level of authority one possesses is determined by their position in their hierarchical society. Additionally, one’s authority can ignite a sense of patriotism and unity among those under the influence of it. Also, a good leader may not necessarily equate to a good person.
The level of authority one assumes is shaped by both their position in the hierarchical society or their association with religion. The hierarchical …show more content…
system in England during the 1400s was very strong and tight and the highest level of authority after the royal monarchy was the Church. As demonstrated in Henry V, the opening scenes show the Church playing a significant role in the decision-making process for the country. Even before the audience is introduced to Henry V, the Church builds an image of Henry, describing him as “full of grace, and fair regard” which demonstrates their authority over him. Similarly, Henry consistently refers to “God” in his dialogue and speeches, which reflects and emphasises his connection with the Church and his recognition of their authority. In Dawes ‘Weapons Training’ this system of hierarchy also applies in the context of war. The persona is a sergeant major and because his position is ranked higher than the soldiers, he has the power of authority over them. This is reflected through his mocking tone where he satirises the soldier’s ability, and the black humour he employs to make them aware of the dangers of war. He describes the men as “if you had one more brain/it’d be lonely what are you laughing at” as an innuendo to deliberately emphasise his authority over them. He confronts them with rhetorical questions like in “why are you looking at me you queer?” and shows a sense of disaffection, which establishes his position of authority which has been influenced by his rank in the army ranks. Similarly in ‘Straight Bat’ by Roger Holt, the father exudes a quiet role of authority through being the father of Timothy. His level of authority is shown through the way Timothy responds to his father, repeating the words “Yes Daddy” and “Thankyou Daddy” which through the word “Daddy” carries a kind of childish connotation. However, in a traditional family like this, his authority is not demonstrated only through the children. The only times Timothy’s mother speaks is to either remind Timothy of his father’s authority, like in “Please don’t disappoint your father”, or to “anxiously” question her husband’s actions. Although she is a mother, she does not exude that warm motherly feeling but instead, is quite remote from her son, as demonstrated through her “curt nod” and “peck on the cheek”. One’s authority can be shaped by their position in the family, army or society’s hierarchy.
The impact of authority is both powerful and influential as it has the potential to ignite a sense of patriotism and unity among those under the influence of it.
Throughout the play, Henry effectively displays his authority through the many stimulating and patriotically spoken speeches aimed at encouraging and lifting the spirits of his men. Henry especially exemplifies his authority outside the walls of Harfleur where he arouses courage and patriotism through referring to his men as the “noble English” and describing them with the classical allusions of “Fathers that like so many Alexanders”. The continuous deliverance of inspiring words is also reflected through his “Crispan Crispian” speech where strong use of rhetoric language, like in “And if to live/The fewer men, the greater share of honour”, help instil the sense of the honour of war in his men. Similarly, this effect was heightened through the repetition of the word “Crispian” throughout the speech. Yet, Henry speeches also have a powerful sense of rhythm and momentum which when combined with an honest tone makes him appeal and have a stronger influence on his men. He equates himself to the standard of the men, calling themselves “we band of brothers” which helps enhance the influence of his authority. The persona of Dawes ‘Weapons Training’, a sergeant major, also achieves a similar effect through the effective use of colloquial language and slang. In the context of the Vietnam War, his uses of jargon like “fish – sauce breath” and “Charlies” help establish the environment and also assist him in relating to his men more. Unlike Henry, his tone is aggressive and he speaks in an insulting and directing manner, warning them of the consequences. Although it appears to be a stark contrast to Henry’s speeches in terms of the purpose, they are not as he speaks with an undercurrent of compassion and care to his men. His care for them is just spoken in a different style to that of Henry. Combined with the powerful
end of the poem with the repetition of “dead, dead, dead”, the persona manages to create a sense of unity among his men by addressing to them the harsh reality of war. As reflected through ‘Weapons Training’ and ‘Henry V’, those under the guidance of good leadership can be stimulated and inspired with a will to patriotically serve.
Although one may be a good and powerful authoritarian leader, they may not necessarily be a good person. There is a clear division between what defines a good ruler of authority from a good person. The play Henry V highlights the motivational side of Henry through his inspirational speeches, which encourage and ignite courage and bravery when spoken in front of his soldiers. However, the private side of Henry shows a personality that is less friendly and that could suggest otherwise. In the opening scenes, the Church describes Henry with biblical allusions of how he was “th’offending Adam”, reflecting an opinion contrasting to what the audience sees after they are introduced to him. Indications of his more private side are also indirectly shown through his betrayal towards his old friend Bardolph and his particularly flimsy approach towards the execution of the French prisoners. In Scene 3, Henry makes no consideration of his history of camaraderie with his friend Bardolph and has him executed, powerfully saying “We would have all such offenders so cut off” in a determined tone. Similarly, although Henry has the option of releasing or exchanging a ransom for the French prisoners, he instead suggests to “kill his prisoners”. These events highlight the subtle conflicts of his authoritarian image with his morality as a ‘good’ person. Yet, Henry recognises these burdens of kingship in his soliloquy with the listing of the trappings of kingship with the repetition of “The” to emphasise the superficial gloriousness of royalty. His comparison of how a labourer “can sleep so soundly” whilst a king must be “crammed with distressful bread” offers a contrast between people and leaders, highlighting his personal upheaval of being in authority. In ‘Straight Bat’ by Roger Holt, the father appears to be friendly, with the use of dialogue reflecting his nice personality. However, there are subtle indications of his ‘other’ side which are shown through the stark contrast of his voice from “murmured” to “stormed”. Although the story employs a simple clean-cut style, it allows the effectiveness of the contrast of the father’s attitude before and after finding out about Timothy’s “swap” to be heightened. The piercing imagery and sounds established, like “wood splintering” and “discordant humming” from the powerful description of the violin breaking also emphasises the sheer authority Timothy’s father possesses, as well as indicating the conflict between the representations of his personality throughout the story. Although one may appear in to be a good leader, they may not necessarily be a good person.
The concept of authority has been shaped through the close study of Shakespeare’s play ‘Henry V’, the short story ‘Straight Bat’ by Roger Holt and the poem ‘Weapons Training’ by Bruce Dawes. The text’s shows how one’s level of authority can be shaped by their position in society’s hierarchical system. Authority can also ignite a sense of patriotism and unity among those under the influence of it. Additionally, the representation of a good leader through the public eye may not necessarily mean they are a good person.
HOW HAS YOUR UNDERSTANDING OF AUTHORITY BEEN ENHANCED BY YOUR STUDY OF SHAKESPEARE’S PLAY HENRY V AND AT LEAST ONE PIECE OF RELATED MATERIAL?
Essay:
The close study of Henry V and Weapons Training by Bruce Dawes has enhanced the concept of authority by portraying the idea through varying levels and perspectives. The level of authority one possesses is determined by their position in their hierarchical society. Additionally, one’s authority can ignite a sense of patriotism and unity among those under the influence of it. Also, a good leader may not necessarily equate to a good person.
The level of authority one assumes is shaped by both their position in the hierarchical society or their association with religion. The hierarchical …show more content…
system in England during the 1400s was very strong and tight and the highest level of authority after the royal monarchy was the Church. As demonstrated in Henry V, the opening scenes show the Church playing a significant role in the decision-making process for the country. Even before the audience is introduced to Henry V, the Church builds an image of Henry, describing him as “full of grace, and fair regard” which demonstrates their authority over him. Similarly, Henry consistently refers to “God” in his dialogue and speeches, which reflects and emphasises his connection with the Church and his recognition of their authority. In Dawes ‘Weapons Training’ this system of hierarchy also applies in the context of war. The persona is a sergeant major and because his position is ranked higher than the soldiers, he has the power of authority over them. This is reflected through his mocking tone where he satirises the soldier’s ability, and the black humour he employs to make them aware of the dangers of war. He describes the men as “if you had one more brain/it’d be lonely what are you laughing at” as an innuendo to deliberately emphasise his authority over them. He confronts them with rhetorical questions like in “why are you looking at me you queer?” and shows a sense of disaffection, which establishes his position of authority which has been influenced by his rank in the army ranks. Similarly in ‘Straight Bat’ by Roger Holt, the father exudes a quiet role of authority through being the father of Timothy. His level of authority is shown through the way Timothy responds to his father, repeating the words “Yes Daddy” and “Thankyou Daddy” which through the word “Daddy” carries a kind of childish connotation. However, in a traditional family like this, his authority is not demonstrated only through the children. The only times Timothy’s mother speaks is to either remind Timothy of his father’s authority, like in “Please don’t disappoint your father”, or to “anxiously” question her husband’s actions. Although she is a mother, she does not exude that warm motherly feeling but instead, is quite remote from her son, as demonstrated through her “curt nod” and “peck on the cheek”. One’s authority can be shaped by their position in the family, army or society’s hierarchy.
The impact of authority is both powerful and influential as it has the potential to ignite a sense of patriotism and unity among those under the influence of it.
Throughout the play, Henry effectively displays his authority through the many stimulating and patriotically spoken speeches aimed at encouraging and lifting the spirits of his men. Henry especially exemplifies his authority outside the walls of Harfleur where he arouses courage and patriotism through referring to his men as the “noble English” and describing them with the classical allusions of “Fathers that like so many Alexanders”. The continuous deliverance of inspiring words is also reflected through his “Crispan Crispian” speech where strong use of rhetoric language, like in “And if to live/The fewer men, the greater share of honour”, help instil the sense of the honour of war in his men. Similarly, this effect was heightened through the repetition of the word “Crispian” throughout the speech. Yet, Henry speeches also have a powerful sense of rhythm and momentum which when combined with an honest tone makes him appeal and have a stronger influence on his men. He equates himself to the standard of the men, calling themselves “we band of brothers” which helps enhance the influence of his authority. The persona of Dawes ‘Weapons Training’, a sergeant major, also achieves a similar effect through the effective use of colloquial language and slang. In the context of the Vietnam War, his uses of jargon like “fish – sauce breath” and “Charlies” help establish the environment and also assist him in relating to his men more. Unlike Henry, his tone is aggressive and he speaks in an insulting and directing manner, warning them of the consequences. Although it appears to be a stark contrast to Henry’s speeches in terms of the purpose, they are not as he speaks with an undercurrent of compassion and care to his men. His care for them is just spoken in a different style to that of Henry. Combined with the powerful
end of the poem with the repetition of “dead, dead, dead”, the persona manages to create a sense of unity among his men by addressing to them the harsh reality of war. As reflected through ‘Weapons Training’ and ‘Henry V’, those under the guidance of good leadership can be stimulated and inspired with a will to patriotically serve.
Although one may be a good and powerful authoritarian leader, they may not necessarily be a good person. There is a clear division between what defines a good ruler of authority from a good person. The play Henry V highlights the motivational side of Henry through his inspirational speeches, which encourage and ignite courage and bravery when spoken in front of his soldiers. However, the private side of Henry shows a personality that is less friendly and that could suggest otherwise. In the opening scenes, the Church describes Henry with biblical allusions of how he was “th’offending Adam”, reflecting an opinion contrasting to what the audience sees after they are introduced to him. Indications of his more private side are also indirectly shown through his betrayal towards his old friend Bardolph and his particularly flimsy approach towards the execution of the French prisoners. In Scene 3, Henry makes no consideration of his history of camaraderie with his friend Bardolph and has him executed, powerfully saying “We would have all such offenders so cut off” in a determined tone. Similarly, although Henry has the option of releasing or exchanging a ransom for the French prisoners, he instead suggests to “kill his prisoners”. These events highlight the subtle conflicts of his authoritarian image with his morality as a ‘good’ person. Yet, Henry recognises these burdens of kingship in his soliloquy with the listing of the trappings of kingship with the repetition of “The” to emphasise the superficial gloriousness of royalty. His comparison of how a labourer “can sleep so soundly” whilst a king must be “crammed with distressful bread” offers a contrast between people and leaders, highlighting his personal upheaval of being in authority. In ‘Straight Bat’ by Roger Holt, the father appears to be friendly, with the use of dialogue reflecting his nice personality. However, there are subtle indications of his ‘other’ side which are shown through the stark contrast of his voice from “murmured” to “stormed”. Although the story employs a simple clean-cut style, it allows the effectiveness of the contrast of the father’s attitude before and after finding out about Timothy’s “swap” to be heightened. The piercing imagery and sounds established, like “wood splintering” and “discordant humming” from the powerful description of the violin breaking also emphasises the sheer authority Timothy’s father possesses, as well as indicating the conflict between the representations of his personality throughout the story. Although one may appear in to be a good leader, they may not necessarily be a good person.
The concept of authority has been shaped through the close study of Shakespeare’s play ‘Henry V’, the short story ‘Straight Bat’ by Roger Holt and the poem ‘Weapons Training’ by Bruce Dawes. The text’s shows how one’s level of authority can be shaped by their position in society’s hierarchical system. Authority can also ignite a sense of patriotism and unity among those under the influence of it. Additionally, the representation of a good leader through the public eye may not necessarily mean they are a good person.