Ben Kohler 10R1 Miss Murray
Stanhope’s character
Stanhope commands C Company in R.C Sherriff’s WW1 play, ‘Journey’s end.’ He is heavily featured in the play and is arguably the most important soldier. He is shown by Sherriff to be an extremely brave and keen soldier as well as a forceful and well respected leader however as the play unfolds the audience find that he has major floors within his character.
Captain Stanhope is extremely well respected by the other members of his Company. There are many reasons to suggest this such as when Osborne was talking with Hardy and says, referring to Stanhope, ‘his experience alone makes him worth a dozen people.’ This influences the audience into thinking that Stanhope was a brilliant soldier of the highest quality and also that he had been on the front line for a long period of time and was well used to the conditions. Stanhope is also a fantastic leader and he is highlighted doing his duty and making sure everything is in order ‘I have got hours of work to do before I go to sleep.’ This shows how committed Stanhope is by working rather than sleeping and making sure everything is in order for the members of his company. Another insight into his leadership is when he volunteers himself to do the unwanted and very dangerous jobs for example after identifying that some ruins in no-man’s land needed investigating for German activity, he almost automatically announces ‘that’s alright, uncle. I’ll see to it.’ After seeing Stanhope volunteer to go into no-man’s land his bravery and will to help in whatever way he can is displayed. In the play we also get shown another sensitive side of Stanhope through his relationship with Osborne. R.C. Sherriff presents their relationship as a vital leaning post for Stanhope ‘Yes. Comfortable (he looks up into Osborne’s face and laughs again). Dear old uncle. Tuck me up.’ This shows Stanhope childish side and makes us realise that he is only human and needs love and affection as well. Sherriff does this so we can relate to Stanhope and help us understand how he is feeling and coping with the stress of war. “Kiss me, Uncle” this little pause shows how much Osborne means to him, the pause with the comer allows Stanhope to collect his thoughts and relate to him lovingly as uncle. R.C. Sherriff does this to emphasise that Stanhope is just like anyone of us and makes us feel closer to the character because he’s shown us this side of him so unprotected and raw.
