Part of The Student Room Group

  • Join over 1.2 million students every month
  • Accelerate your learning by 29%
  • Unlimited access from just £6.99 per month

'For the king has in him two bodies...a body natural and a body politic..' Discuss the presentation of the different sides of Henry's character in Henry V.

Extracts from this document...

Introduction

'For the king has in him two bodies...a body natural and a body politic..' Discuss the presentation of the different sides of Henry's character in Henry V. Henry V is based during the 1500's. King Henry (the main character) has in him two sides...a natural side and a politic side. We know this because Henry is presented as having the qualities of an ideal king and as a character with a more vulnerable, human side. From having these personalities King Henry helps people run the country in a way hat he can make decisions on whether to invade a country or not. Because King Henry is a good politician and a good friend, he can use these for contributing to being an ideal King. Henry V must have been written some time during 1599. We know this because the Act 5 chorus makes a reference to the Earl of Essex's anticipated return from Ireland (lines 29-34), and Essex left England in March and returned in September. A King in Henry V's time was supreme. He was a military commander, a religious and spiritual leader, political decision-maker and a lawgiver. The kings had to have these skills in all areas to be an ideal ruler. I think that Shakespeare has chosen to portray Henry in such a favourable way as he managed to conquer France at such a young age that it must be remembered by all of England. ...read more.

Middle

He did this because it allows the audience and his subjects to identify him. We have proof of this shown throughout the play. Like everyone else, Henry has a relationship. In this case, with two people; Williams and Fluellen, who are different as they are in the lower class. Henry puts aside this fact, and shows us that he can be like anybody else. Another point of when Henry is being shown as a man is when he disguises himself so he can hear what the soldiers think will happen. The discussion is between Henry and Bates. They are talking about their likely fate in the coming battle. Henry makes the point that the King experiences the same emotions as ordinary men, including fear. An example of Henry saying this is "No; nor it is not meet he should. For, though I speak it to you, I think the King is but a man, as I am." This quotation is showing that the King wants others to see he is just like them and should not be judged badly. Before the Battle of Agincourt, Henry thinks about the burden of responsibility and that him being a King, distinguishes the difference from an ordinary man. Also, Kings have so many cares that they are unable to enjoy a peaceful nights sleep. ...read more.

Conclusion

By using 'We' repeatedly, the men think that everyone is worth the same. This is another way in which we can see Henry is a great king. The way in which we see Henry being a great man could be his honest conversation with Williams. Replying to the argument of Williams, Henry argues that a king cannot be held responsible for the souls of those soldiers who die without having represented their sins. Henry says this in true honesty from what he is thinking. He says "the king is not bound to answer the particular endings of his soldiers, the farther of his son, nor the master of his servant, for they purpose not their deaths, when they purpose their services." Henry says this in a very clever way as he manages to persuade the three men that every man is responsible for his own soul. This also shows Henry's persuasive skills, which can also contribute to our under-standing or his human character. In conclusion, Henry having a body politic and a body natural both contribute into making a better king. Shakespeare had written the play, in words that clearly show the two sides of Henry and how well he uses them. Henry V was an ideal king for Shakespeare to use in front of his audience. It is very important that we see the two sides of Henry because this way, it helps people to understand his character more. Mark Binding 11B ...read more.

The above preview is unformatted text

This student written piece of work is one of many that can be found in our AS and A Level British History: Monarchy & Politics section.

Found what you're looking for?

  • Start learning 29% faster today
  • 150,000+ documents available
  • Just £6.99 a month

or


Not the one? Search for your essay title...
  • Join over 1.2 million students every month
  • Accelerate your learning by 29%
  • Unlimited access from just £6.99 per month

See related essaysSee related essays

Related AS and A Level British History: Monarchy & Politics essays

  1. How does Shakespeare present the character of Henry V

    Henry's feeling for England is shown when he meets the governor of Harfleur, "If I begin the battery once again, I will not leave the half-achieved Harfleur". With the use of "I" Henry imposes that he is England. More qualities of Henry are preparation and tactics, as shown on page

  2. Henry V is presented as a strong and capable King. Is this an ...

    Cambridge, Scroop and Grey are to be in charge of the affairs of state while Henry is in France. When Henry hands documents to them they presume it is to give them authority, however the documents indicated that the King knows their guilt as traitors.

  1. What kind of king does Shakespeare create in Act 3 Scenes 1 and 2? ...

    Here Henry is portrayed as being stimulating and thought provoking. In the same line Henry tells his soldiers to "conjure up the blood," here Shakespeare is using a play on words to represent the beating of the heart and adrenaline, and in doing so portraying the image of a king who is motivational.

  2. Henry V Character Analysis

    This again highlights his well balanced decisions before he takes action and thus his lack of impulsivity, which we tend to think characterises superficial kings. Furthermore, while we and even the Shakespearian audience might question at times the futility of such a war caused simply by a new fact discovered

  1. Analyse how King Henry's character progresses and changes through-out the play and show why ...

    Most of the French, except for Dauphin who greatly underestimated Henry, feared Henry V for his phenomenal qualities. The French King, who described Henry V with "we King Harry strong; And, princes, look you strongly arm...bloody strain that causes the France to quall before" and suggests that the country should

  2. Discuss Shakespeare's presentation of women in Richard III. Are they convincing characters?

    And he's gone. CHILDREN: What stay had we Clarence? And he's gone. DUCHESS: What stays had i but they? And they are gone. ELIZABETH: Was never widow had so dear loss. CHILDREN: Were never orphans had so dear loss. The three of a kind demonstrated adds power to the ritual.

  1. Shakespeare has created a frivolous, sometimes disreputable Prince of Wales. In the early scenes ...

    Shakespeare shows a stark contrast between Henry and his old companions; Bardolph, Nym, Pistol and Sir John Falstaff. These four characters who were the young Henry's close friends are poverty-stricken and, in the case of Falstaff, close to death. Shakespeare uses a different language technique when these characters are talking.

  2. Henry V is commonly held to be a great English hero, a model king ...

    he can be impressed upon, this means the bishops and archbishop can manipulate his crucial decisions, e.g. when he asks if he has gods permission to proceed with the invasion of France, the men of the cloth decide and make Henry prepare for invasion.

  • Over 160,000 pieces
    of student written work
  • Annotated by
    experienced teachers
  • Ideas and feedback to
    improve your own work