King Henry V: The Ideal King

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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 hero and villain.
King Henry proves his dedication to his country with his passionate fighting, but he also shows the ruthless lengths his is willing to go. He is a ironfisted leader in the battle into Harfleur and Agincourt. Just before Harfleur, King Henry delivers a passionate speech encouraging and inspiring his troops to battle,
"Once more unto the breach, dear friends, once more; […] But when the blast of war blows in our ears, Then imitate the action of the tiger;
[…] Be copy now to men of grosser blood
And teach them how to war. And you[…]
Whose limbs were made in England, show us here
The mettle of your pasture." (3.1.1092-1119). …show more content…
They're inspiring and put fire in their bellies but on a deeper level, his words reveal his sinister motives. His words spur them to tap into pure animalistic instincts like "the tiger". He wants them to forgo human decency and be "men of grosser blood" meaning kill barbarically. His cruelty continues after overtaking Harfleur. He orders all their French captives to be executed and threatens the people with, "Defil[ing] the locks of [their] shrill-shrieking daughters;/[…] fathers taken by the silver beards, /And their most reverend heads dash'd to the walls, [and] naked infants spitted upon pikes,"

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