Explore how sherriff presents the relationships between Osborne and Stanhope

I think at the start of the play Sherriff shows the reader immediately that Osborne rates Stanhope highly and that he respects him a lot professionally. Stanhope has been in the front line for a long time and has been commanding a company for a while and has never had a rest.

‘He came out straight from school when he was eighteen. He’s commanded this company for a year in and out of the front line.’

The play also shows that Osborne would do anything he could to help or protect Stanhope, this proves a strong friendship between them.

‘I love that fellow. I’d go to hell with him.’

Stanhope has a drinking disorder, Osborne recognizes this, however he understands that it is mainly through pressure, stress and the reality of war. When Stanhope says,

‘There were only two ways of breaking the strain, one was pretending I was ill – and going home; the other was this,’

Osborne sympathizes deeply and encourages him that,

‘When the war is over – and the strains, gone – you’ll soon be as fit as ever.’

This is comforting for Stanhope and is what you would expect a friend to say.

Throughout the play Osborne acts as a fatherly figure towards Stanhope. At the beginning of the play Osborne explains that,

‘You’ll find the other officers call me uncle’

Stanhope values this and is often quoted calling him uncle. Such as,

‘You’ve felt that, Uncle, haven’t you?’

The reality is of war forces Stanhope into feeling desperate for someone to look up-to and to rely on.

‘That’ll be fine. Now then, come along, old chap. I’ll see you get called at two o’clock’

This shows how close the relationship between Osborne and Stanhope is.

When Osborne is killed by,

‘A hand grenade – while he waiting for Raleigh’

Stanhope appears withdrawn and makes sarcastic comments about the brigadier

‘How awfully nice – if the brigadier’s pleased’

And when Raleigh takes a seat on Osborne’s bed Stanhope questions,

‘Must you sit on Osborne’s bed?’

This shows undying respect for Osborne from Stanhope even when Osborne is no longer with him.

Later on when Stanhope and Raleigh are arguing, Raleigh questions,

‘How can I sit down and eat that – when – when Osborne’s – lying – out there.’

Stanhope viciously replies,

‘The one man I could trust – my only friend – the one man I could talk to as man to man – who understood everything – and you think that I don’t care?’

This shows how deeply Stanhope is grieving as never before he has raised his voice to another officer. This also shows why he was drinking and joking to the other officers earlier because he was trying to forget.

‘To forget, you little fool- to forget!’

Stanhope and Osborne get on especially well because they are of the same social class, both officers came from the wealthy upper class. Having being brought up with the experience of playing rugby and cricket they are able to understand each other possessing the same common interests.

‘He was the skipper of rugger at Barford, and kept wicket for the eleven.’

 The fact that both Stanhope and Osborne are the same class is an important factor in the relationship as officers do not socialize with the normal ranked men.

 ‘My officers are here to be respected – not laughed at.’

My opinion of Stanhope and Osborne’s relationship is that they were very close to each other throughout the play. Osborne kept Stanhope calm when he was stressed and providing support when needed exactly what a friend would do. When Osborne passed away Stanhope grieved for him and showed emotion devout to his best friend. I felt deeply sympathetic to Stanhope when this happed as I could not have imagined this happening to me.  I felt the play was good, it showed contrasts of war and provided a clear picture for the reality for war environment.