William Shakespeare's historical play, The Life of Henry V, captures the essence of noble kingship during the Elizabethan era through the intelligent young King Henry who utilizes his uncanny rhetorical skill to manipulate friends and foes alike, and by combining both a ruthless sense of determination and a compassionate nature to successfully portray a good king as well as a good man. He focuses primarily on the responsibilities of kingship, putting his feelings second to the crown in order to gain the support of his people and a degree of fear among his enemies. His treatment of kingship travels down two contrasting rivers, enabling him to be a powerful flood, yet still trickle into the hearts of his men.
King Henry jumps into the role of royalty with astounding courage, determined to defend his position at all costs. For example, in his reply to the ambassador, King Henry transforms the Dauphin's jest regarding a juvenile game of tennis into a war- threatening metaphor declaring, "When we have matched our rackets to these balls, we will in France, by God's grace play a set, shall strike his father's crown into hazard." (1:2 272-274) Determined to prove his mental growth away from his irresponsible teenage years and into the role of a successful king, Henry embarks on war with France to gain his rightfully deserved country as well as the respect of rulers and nobles alike. However merciless in his course of action, King Henry's steadfast resolve grants him the ability to make changes quickly and improve his beloved country.
Furthermore, King Henry demonstrates his ruthless determination as king when he ordered, "all such offenders so cut off" meaning to be executed, including his close friend Bardolph. (3:6 109) Henry cl...
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...he shoes of his subjects, ultimately fusing the gap between two entirely separate worlds. Unlike any other king before him, King Henry captivates not only the aspects of a compassionate ruler but the body and soul of an exceptional man.
Overall, Shakespeare portrays King Henry V as a dependable young man; ruthless with his enemies, but steadfast in his love for his country. Henry's commanding qualities of leadership were necessary to stabilize the nation and were not just the actions of a tyrant, but of an effective king. His compassionate and sincere connection with his people marks the softer image of a common man who genuinely wants the best for his country, his people, and lastly, himself. The Life of King Henry V illustrates the picturesque form of not only a powerful king with relentless determination, but also an epic hero in the hearts of his people.
For hundreds of years, those who have read Henry V, or have seen the play performed, have admired Henry V's skills and decisions as a leader. Some assert that Henry V should be glorified and seen as an "ideal Christian king". Rejecting that idea completely, I would like to argue that Henry V should not be seen as the "ideal Christian king", but rather as a classic example of a Machiavellian ruler. If looking at the play superficially, Henry V may seem to be a religious, moral, and merciful ruler; however it was Niccolo Machiavelli himself that stated in his book, The Prince, that a ruler must "appear all mercy, all faith, all honesty, all humanity, [and] all religion" in order to keep control over his subjects (70). In the second act of the play, Henry V very convincingly acts as if he has no clue as to what the conspirators are planning behind his back, only to seconds later reveal he knew about their treacherous plans all along. If he can act as though he knows nothing of the conspirators' plans, what is to say that he acting elsewhere in the play, and only appearing to be a certain way? By delving deeper into the characteristics and behaviors of Henry V, I hope to reveal him to be a true Machiavellian ruler, rather than an "ideal king".
When we look at Henry as a king we have to look in the context of
There is quite a lot of turn around and Henry never uses negative comments. Henry has close relationship with his men, by using a variety of strong terms. Henry's lecture has reference to the superior being to give more assurance. Furthermore King Henry gives divine inspiration to many leaders now days.
Henry V is not a simple one as it has many aspects. By looking into
Henry IV is a play that concerns itself with political power and kingship in English history. References to kingship are prevalent throughout the play, especially in the depiction of the characters. Although most of the characters in this play could teach us about kingship, I would like to focus my attention to Prince Henry. I think that this character helps us to best understand what kingship meant at this particular time in history.
...in themes similar to those found in the two Henry IV plays, such as usurpation, rebellion, and the issue of lineage of royal right. But Richard II and King Henry V are decidedly more serious in tone, and in comparing them to I Henry IV and II Henry IV, the argument can be made that it is these two latter plays which resound with greater realism with the broader spectrum of life which they present. Shakespeare carefully balances comedy and drama in I Henry IV and II Henry IV, and in doing so the bard gives us what are perhaps the most memorable characters in all of English literature.
Throughout the play, Prince Henry develops from a rascal to a responsible adult and by doing so, earns the respect and acceptance from his father King Henry IV. In act one, Shakespeare introduces the idea that Prince Henry is an inadequate heir to the throne. The play
...der to maintain success. King Henry showed that he is restricted to one language which resulted him to not gain the lower class power and it then lead him to focus on his political status. On the other hand, Hal presented himself to the viewers as a friendly character, yet he sustained to manipulate and lie to others to achieve his goals. Henry IV n, Part 1 presents the idea of political power and the different characteristics leaders follow. The lesson for audiences, then, is to develop relationships with different people who will expand one’s area of inspiration and the ability to advance success. One can learn from the mistakes of King Henry and remember to be visible and properly positioned, so society can see one’s strengths and talents.
Shakespeare, William. "Henry V." The Norton Shakespeare: Histories. Eds. Stephen Greenblatt, Walter Cohen, Jean E. Howard, and Katherine Eisaman Maus. London: Norton, 1997. 726-795.
In the play Henry V written by Shakespeare. Henry was presented as the ideal Christian king. His mercy, wisdom, and other characteristics demonstrated the behavior of a Christian king. Yet at the same time he is shown to be man like any other. The way he behaves in his past is just like an ordinary man.
On the other hand, Shakespeare also shows Henry as a normal person who is mature. understanding sympathetic, with a sense of humour emphasised by the trick. He plays on Williams and Fluellen. In matters of state Henry is firm and decisive as demonstrated by his reply to the Dauphin's. tennis balls insult, which is dignified but restrained.
I side with Loades on this as despite resentment from the nobles, after the Perkin Warbeck imposture there were no more serious uprisings which strongly support the success of Henry’s policies. Whilst most nobles would see his methods as unjust (especially the wide of use bonds and recognisances) Henry succeeded in increasing the crown’s standing at the expense of the nobility, securing his position whilst weakening the nobles. Through most of his policies Henry was successful in limiting the powers of nobility. Henry sought to restrict the noble’s power and yet at the same time needed them to keep order and represent him at local levels, therefore Henry sought not to destroy the nobles but to weaken them enough that they did not pose a threat, he needed a balance of control over the nobles and strong nobility.
Shakespeare’s Henry’s most remarkable and heroic quality is his resolve; once Henry has his mind set on accomplishing something he uses every tool at his disposal to see that it is achieved. ‘If we may pass, we will; if we be hinder’d we shall your tawny ground with your red blood discolour’ Henry meticulously presents himself as an unstoppable force to which his enemies must choose to react; although his methods are morally questionable they a...
... version of Henry's court and Henry's camp, the dramatic effect constituted, in its way, a reasonably accurate depiction of Henry's achievement in England." (Pilkington 1-2) I believe that Shakespeare's Henry V contains more charm and less fanaticism than the true Henry V. Shakespeare has created a fairly accurate depiction of life in this time period, altering only what he saw fit for his own lifetime.
Though Shakespeare was a conservative, he believed in the humility of Kings. The plays Richard II through Henry V assert Shakespeare's idea that a King must understand the common man to be a good ruler. These four plays chronicle the history of three Kings' ability to recognize, relate to, and be part of the humanity he rules. Shakespeare advocates his belief with the falling of Richard II, who could not or would not understand his subjects; the constancy of Henry IV, whose combined humility and strength won him the thrown; and Hal, whose raucous behavior led his father to worry and his country to victory.