When he gets to Scroop, Henry stops using the ‘we’ pronoun. Shakespeare uses many linguistic devices, for example rhetorical questions. “Wouldst thou have practiced on me for my use?” This makes a difference in the tone of voice, and also in its structure, otherwise, all Henry would be doing is making statements. He also uses a pun during the first part of the speech, when addressing Cambridge. “This man, for a few light crowns hath lightly conspired…”. Shakespeare used a pun for a slight contrast in the atmosphere, otherwise everything in his speech would be is very serious.
Henry also uses personification: “Treason and murder ever kept together, as two yoke-devils sworn to each other’s purpose…” This technique is used as Henry can only imagine Scroop had been possessed, and not that he did this by his own choice. With this metaphor of a demon, he refers to him as betraying a good friend and because of this, sending him to death is what a king has to do.
The play, Henry V was originally written to be performed. However there were limitations of cast and space, which meant that much of the focus in the theatrical performance must have been on the deliverance of speech and the display of costumes. In the Olivier version, a little is shown, it is mostly kept to the stage-like format in the majority of the film The most significant cut was the complete traitor's scene in Act II scene II. The subject was felt unsuitable, the whole mood of the wartime was paranoid about the possibility of traitors, and so this was cut the film. This version looked more like a fairy tale, there was the same fine weather giving it a positive, happy feel with no sign of violence at all. In the beginning of this scene it showed a Bishop blessing Henry, which showed that god, was believed to be on his side. The Branagh version does not cut out this scene, it was made to be very dramatic with signs of violence as it is part of the lifestyle of this film.
The king treats the traitors very harshly, especially to Scroop as he was one of the king’s closest friends. Shakespeare’s use of language was complex as he referred to biblical references and historical references through out the play. In the end of the scene after sending the traitors to be executed, Henry is prepared to go off to war: "Cheerly to sea, the signs of war advance. No king of England, if not king of France!". The dark joke is that if the reasoning for his claim to the French throne is accurate, then Mortimer is the rightful king of England. He believes that god is on his side to give confidence and encouragement to his men.