Henry V Essay

Submitted By cmoore1966
Words: 1372
Pages: 6
Open Document
“The gentlest gamester is the soonest winner” (Branagh, 1989). These are perhaps some of the best words of advice presented in the film Henry V. As Prince Harry, now Henry V takes the position as the King of England, many felt that he was unprepared and lacked a strong enough reputation to hold the title effectively. We learn fairly early in the movie that the naysayers were wrong in their assumptions. Henry V quickly showed his values, convictions and stayed true to his vision for his country. In the first act, Henry shows that he has a conscience by trying to determine if the cost of war is worthy in comparison to his goal of taking the throne of France. He has a strong commitment to the church and Archbishop. He asked the Archbishop to make a public statement supporting his decision to go to war. Henry is trying to earn respect and overshadow the immature and youthful reputation that preceded him. When the Dauphin sends a message that is intended to insult Henry, he had his first opportunity to show maturity. Henry calmly yet sternly replied to the insult and his followers start to take him seriously in his quest. Henry first proves to be a fair and creative leader when he learned of the treason committed by his friends Scroop,, Cambridge and Grey. He begins his conversation with them by asking their opinion of mercy. He tells them that an offender of a minor crime could be released if Henry chooses to show mercy on him. The three men tell him there is no mercy for offenders, no matter the size of the offense. Henry then confronts them of their crimes and they beg for mercy. He was able to spout their own words back at them and ordered their execution. We see that he was almost allowing them to determine their own fate, and was fair in his sentence. He was able to remove his personal feelings of friendship from the equation and look at the big picture. He feared that the security of the nation was at risk and he did what was best for his country. Henry meets with the governor of Harfleur and is stern in his suggestion that the governor should surrender. Henry tells him that if he chooses not to surrender, he will turn his men loose on the city and they will show no mercy. They will rape women, murder elders and infants and take over Harfleur. The governor surrenders and tells Henry that the Dauphin is still not considering the Englishmen as a threat. When Henry sends his men into Harfleur he tells them to be kind to the French. This is an indicator that he has a leadership style that takes compassion and humanity into consideration. He is transforming into an authentic leader at this point and we can see that he is genuine in his pursuit. Bardolf was one of Henry’s childhood friends and was arrested for stealing a “pax” from the church. Pistol asks Fluellen to speak up on Bardolf’s behalf and ask for mercy. Fluellen realizes that discipline is important and he refuses the request saying that order must be maintained. When Bardolf is brought before Henry, we see Henry as a leader. Henry sentences Bardolf to be hanged and once again has separated his personal friendship from the crime committed. Henry chose his leadership responsibility and his dedication to his quest over the longtime friendship with Bardolf. Henry’s interaction with Montjoy shows his honesty and determination to his vision. He advises Montjoy that his men are weak and sick. He tells Montjoy that in the shape they are in they will not seek a battle, but in that same shape they will not back down from one either. He is gaining self-confidence and it is becoming apparent that he will succeed. The Dauphin is portrayed as arrogant and unconcerned with the impending war with Henry. He is discussing the battle on the eve before the fight and the conversation quickly turns to their horses, their armor and their mistresses. Once the Dauphin steps away, the three remaining begin to
Show More

Related Documents: Henry V Essay

Henry V

Henry V Aspects Of A Leader To what extent is Henry V presented as an effective leader Since Henry IV Parts One and Two, Henry has developed into a much better leader and king, due to the improvement in many of his key characteristics. When we first see Hal, in Henry IV part 1, he does not strike the audience as a leader; for he keeps extremely bad company in his two friends Falstaff and Poins who are both criminals. When they are all in the tavern in Henry IV, the audience gets the chance to…

Words 1870 - Pages 8

Essay on HENRY V

Relate the importance of Chorus in Henry V What is a Chorus? In music it is a group of performers, music for a group of singers and the part of song repeated after a verse. In a play the chorus may be traced back to the dramas of ancient Greece where a group of actors danced, sang and delivered lines. At first the chorus sang lyric hymns to honor Dionysus, the god of ecstasy and wine. These lyric hymns are known as dithyramb. During the 6th century B.C. Thespis, a poet also known as "the inventor…

Words 1221 - Pages 5

Henry V By William Shakespeare

HENRY V Mr. Lewis Tate Importance of the Chorus 21st February 2015 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Written around 1598, Henry V is the last play written by William Shakespeare in the second tetralogy that includes historical plays such as Richard II, Henry Part 1 and Henry IV Part 2. In Henry V the young mischievous prince grows into a capable and determined king…

Words 2120 - Pages 9

Henry V And The Battle Of Agincourt

early childhood to even late adulthood. Just like Henry V, King of England. In the articles “Henry V and the Battle of Agincourt,” and “Battle between France and England”, the authors adventure into the depths of Henry’s V life before and after he became king and how he won the Battle of Agincourt against the French. Henry V’s experiences he developed over the years leading up to becoming King helped him lead his army to victory against the French. Henry V's early childhood experiences shaped his character…

Words 632 - Pages 3

Henry V Life Research Paper

Henry V Life Henry V was born the king's son and he didn't take advantage of that for worse he did for better. Henry V had many life choices and experiences that helped him along the way in order to play the role of the king. Growing up. Henry V was born into the role of the king. And he took steps toward leadership, for example, as Henry V grew up he was aware of his surroundings; for example, he took music and language classes. Henry took English, French and Latin and he took these so when it…

Words 572 - Pages 3

King Henry V: The Battle Of Agincourt

France confront about the situation at hand. Neither wishes to seem weak before their fellow soldiers but Henry V assures his tactic is clear. He states, if the Governor of Harfleur ceases to surrender immediately than England will invade France with no remorse. This leaves the Governor with a choice to seem either powerless, or accept the battle and show confidence within his army. The speech Henry administered depicts a horror of bloody French victims, threats of rape, and no mercy held for even the…

Words 1290 - Pages 6

King Henry V: The Ideal King

The play of Henry V focuses on the new' throne King of England, Henry V. Despite the troubles he was in as an adolescence, Henry V is considered an ideal king. Though some commoners doubt his change, he proves himself wise, courageous, and kind in the face of war, yet there are still times when the attributes of his youth creep back up. Although Henry V shows some virtues of an ideal king throughout the play, some aspects of his nature are less than admirable resulting in a precarious balance between…

Words 502 - Pages 3

Shakespeare’s Henry 1V pt 1 and Branagh’s “Henry V” Essay

Branagh’s Henry V film and Shakespeare’s Henry IV part 1 both cover major historical events. Shakespeare originally interpreted the antiquity events into exciting stories for audiences that have continued to be well-known for centuries. Both of the texts contribute stories of the royal family which was a large importance to people centuries ago. The Shakespeare play, Henry IV part 1, focuses on the story of Prince Hal before he became king. The title character is known as wild undisciplined young…

Words 679 - Pages 3

Comparing Leadership In Henry V And Saint Joan

In the plays Henry V and Saint Joan, the societies expect men to be strong, fearless leaders and women to stand in the background. While these two plays are both on the topic of the Hundred Years War, and strength and leadership are both displayed by the lead characters in both plays, the fact that Henry V abides by gender roles and Joan rebels against them is what really sets the two plays apart. King Henry does what he can to prove to his men that he is the prototype of a man in this society. This…

Words 1227 - Pages 5

The Importance Of St. Crispin's Speeches In Henry V

Henry V is fairly young ruler, and not quite ready for the responsibility that comes with ruling a country. Despite his young age, at times he has been able to show just how competent of a leader he can be. Two of his speeches, the “Once more unto the breach” and “St. Crispin’s Day” speeches are great example of Henry knowing how to lead his men. However, he is also shown to be quite impulsive and horrid. The most important instance of this is when he makes the decision to invade France, where he…

Words 991 - Pages 4