I will be analysing the characteristics of Captain Dennis Stanhope from the play Journeys End, by R.C. Sherriff.

The first 200 words of this essay...

The Character of Stanhope

In this essay, I will be analysing the characteristics of Captain Dennis Stanhope from the play "Journey's End", by R.C. Sherriff.

Captain Dennis Stanhope was the commanding officer of Company 'C' in the army. From an English public school, where he played Cricket and "Rugger" (Rugby), Stanhope had become an inspiration to his men at the front. His drinking obsession was a direct consequence of the stress involved from the pressure of being a commanding officer on the front line.

Described as a tall, thin, broad shouldered, 21-year-old commander, his appearances are affected by a three year service under the French; his previously tanned face becomes pale and appears tired and drawn.

The first scene of Journey's End deliberately excludes the direct introduction of Stanhope, himself, so as to allow the other characters to build up his status as the leader of his the men in his platoon. The characters Hardy and Osborne are seen having a conversation in which they describe his guilty pleasure as "Drinking like a fish" (page 4). However, out of loyalty and respect for Stanhope, Osborne responds to Hardy's comment by