Henry V compared to the War Poets. Throughout 'Henry V' there are very strong references to God, sin and salvation. War is viewed as a moral and spiritual means of upholding the status quo.

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There are many different attitudes to war: pacifists find it morally outrageous and unnecessary, others a necessity to protect and defend their own country and that of others. During the life of Shakespeare the security of the King on his throne was unstable. Defending the throne and social stability through war was imperative. This is reflected thematically in 'Henry V', with Shakespeare promoting the King as a divinely appointed ruler and encouraging acceptance of this.

Throughout 'Henry V' there are very strong references to God, sin and salvation. War is viewed as a moral and spiritual means of upholding the status quo. With this in mind, 'Henry V' opens with the mature king, 'The mirror of all Christian kings', seeking justification for declaring war on France, with Henry asking the Archbishop if God is happy with his claim to the French throne. 'May I with right and conscience make this claim?' Henry, asking the Archbishop for support as King of England, demonstrates his desire to fight in the name of God, confirming that God's appointed monarch is bound by spiritual laws. Later on in the play we learn of Henry's other justification for war: honour. He says he is not interested in gold – he only wants honour and glory for his country. 'But if it be a sin to covet honour, then I am the most offending soul alive.'   Henry will not proceed with war unless his decision to fight is justified by the Church. No longer will he be reckless in conflict, as he was in his younger days. Before battle Henry prays; following success he offers thanks. War is viewed as both necessary, justifiable and sanctioned by God.  

Despite this spiritual view, war is also promoted as a 'game' and a noble adventure, a means to bond with 'dear friends'. Having been given tennis balls as a provocative insult, war is seen as the inevitable consequence and Henry declares  war, by saying 'the game's afoot'. This metaphor of war being a game continues through the whole play, despite the fact that it is a wicked and bloody 'game' which results in horrific suffering and bloodshed.

Interestingly, Jessie Pope,a jingoistic war poet, also represented war as a great adventure game that all boys should embark on, as seen in her poem 'Who's For The Game?'. She specifically addresses the younger generation in her chatty tone with lines such as 'Come on, lads.' and personifies the country as a female, with the attitude that the men should be protecting and serving her.  She appeals to the protective instinct and the patriotic desires of the individual by doing this, by saying 'Your country is up to her neck in a fight, and she's looking and calling for you'. The poem is structured with rhetorical questions which aim to persuade and encourage men to join force and fight. As a propaganda poem, the horrors of war are evaded and the idea of a fun game promoted with vivid description and verbs. 'The red crashing game of a fight?'  

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Before Harfleur, Henry is also at his rhetorical best to unite and inspire his 'team'. War is regarded as an inherited duty. 'On, on, you noblest English. Whose blood is fet from fathers of war-proof!'. Repetition is used as a means of encouragement, with Henry stressing the words 'On, on' to urge his soldiers forward, and alliterating the 'f' sound stresses that fighting and carrying on from their fathers preserves family honour and security. It is better to die fighting for England, to 'close the wall up with our English dead', then be cowardly, as Rupert Brooke reinforces when ...

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**** 4 STARS This is a very well written essay which selects appropriate quotes to support perceptive comments. There is accurate use of terminology and close analysis of language. More topic sentences which focus on the question are needed - as at times the essay loses focus on the main points of the question. This was a complex essay to write and on the whole it is a good attempt and well structured.