When Henry arrives and inquires as to what the bishops think of the war, Shakespeare presents Henry as responsible, as he says before Canterbury gives his judgement that the bishop should be just as “God doth know how…shall drop their blood in approbation of what your reverence shall incite us to do.” In this sentence Henry is saying that Canterbury must not lie as many will die because of his decision. This presents Henry as responsible as he makes himself accountable for the deaths of many men.
Shakespeare also portrays Henry as pious, as Henry says “God to whom I make this claim”. With this sentence Henry is saying that he makes his claim to God and not to the French King, as if it is up to God to decide and not the two armies. This shows Henry a pious as he is asking God to make him King of France and not the French King or his soldiers.
Also in Act I Scene i Shakespeare depicts Henry as cautious as he says “We must not only arm t’invade the French, but…defend against the Scot,” in this quote Henry is saying that not only should they prepare for the offensive, but also prepare to defend against the Scots who could invade as England are busy. This shows Henry to be cautious as he is wary of the Scots, not being swept up by the fervour of War.
In Act I Scene ii Henry says in response to the French Ambassador “We are no tyrant but a Christian king,” this sentence shows Henry as pious but also as honourable, as he stands up for himself and declares his Christianity, as if he is honoured to be a Christian. This is honourable as his is proud of his faith and declares it even in hostile times.
In Act I Henry is portrayed as witty by Shakespeare as when he receives a box of tennis-balls from the Dauphin as a symbol of Henry’s youth, he retorts with “We will in France...play a set, shall strike his father’s crown into the hazard.” In this quote Henry is saying that he will use the balls in France and score a point with the French King’s crown. This is both meant in reality, as Henry will play tennis in France when they are victorious but also it is a metaphor, meaning Henry will play with the French crown and court as they mean so little to him.
In the same speech Shakespeare depicts Henry as powerful and determined, as Henry says “I will rise there with so full a glory that I will dazzle all the eyes of France,” Henry is stating that England will be so powerful and awe-inspiring that France will be too dazed to even fight back, such is the brilliance of the English soldiers. This shows Henry as powerful as he his declaring that England will wipe away any French resistance and will awe the French population.
In Act II Shakespeare shows Henry as just when he is dealing with three traitors. They have just told Henry to be unmerciful against another traitor, not knowing that he knows of their treachery. When they appeal for his mercy he says: “The mercy that was quick in us but late by your own counsel is suppressed and killed.” In this sentence Henry is saying that he would be merciful with them but because of their ruling earlier he will not. This shows Henry as just as it shows that even with his dearest friends he has the moral fibre to do what is right and not be merciful with these traitors.
In the same scene Henry is portrayed as responsible and determined as when finally delivering the sentence of Death on the traitors, he says, “But we our kingdom’s safety must so tender…that to her laws we do deliver you.” In this phrase Henry is telling the traitors that it is on his behalf but on behalf of the country that he sentences these men to the country’s law, which in this case is death. In this quote Shakespeare shows Henry as determined as he does not let his feelings for the three men cloud his judgement and he is determined to do the best for his Country, and further shows the levels of maturity he has reached since his wild childhood. The sentence also shows Henry as responsible as he is taking responsibility for his Country and dealing with them on his behalf and not on his own.
In Acts I and II Shakespeare describes Henry as responsible, cautious, powerful, witty, determined, honourable and pious. He does this so that he can inspire some patriotism in the reader before the English go off to fight in France. These traits are all ones to be proud of, and Shakespeare uses them to give us a sense pf what an excellent king Henry was. Further on in Act II, Shakespeare describes the character of the French court, and we see that he is contrasting the two figures of Henry and the Dauphin, and these traits show us that the English are far superior to the French.