Both Henry V and The Rover subject their male protagonists to intense critical scrutiny.

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‘Both Henry V and The Rover subject their male protagonists to intense critical scrutiny.’  Discuss this statement in an essay of 1500 words.

Whilst Shakespeare’s Henry V and Aphra Behn’s The Rover were both written for an Elizabethan audience, the leading men in each play couldn’t be more different.   Additionally, an audience would view both plays and their characters very differently today.

Shakespeare does subject his Henry to intense scrutiny but he does not show him in an overly critical light.  He presents a man with all the qualities a King of that era needed – “the mirror of all Christian kings”1.  Nevertheless, Henry is only human and he does have faults but these do not detract from his attributes as King.  Despite his reckless youth, “His companies were unlettered, rude and shallow, His hours filled up with riots, banquets, sports”2, Henry has matured into his role as king.  

Shakespeare gives Henry a dramatic entrance.  The Archbishop of Canterbury and Bishop of Ely set the scene, discussing Henry’s commitment to his people and country.  “The King is full of grace and fair regard”, says Canterbury3.  “And a true lover of the holy Church”, replies Ely4, immediately showing qualities expected of a noble and honourable king.   However Canterbury reminds the audience that this was not always the case,  “The breath no sooner left his father’s body, But that wildness, mortified in him, Seemed to die too;”5 confirming that the King left his frivolous youth behind him, discarding his old friends and showing that, on a personal level, he can be hard hearted,

Henry is a religious man and he seeks the support of the Church before waging war against France.  "May I with right and conscience make this claim?"6 he asks Canterbury and Ely.  However, this request could just be a means of ‘covering his back’.  On the face of it though, the main criticism here seems to be aimed at these two wise men who are concerned that a forthcoming government bill would result in the Church losing land and money.  In an effort to distract Henry from this matter they encourage him to go to war against France.   On the other hand, Henry doesn’t seem to need much persuasion and agrees quickly to the war.  His political side also comes to the fore as he shelves responsibility and makes it clear that Canterbury will be accountable for any deaths during the coming hostilities, saying he must take care how he awakes the “sleeping sword of war”7.

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Throughout history, great leaders have been great orators and nowhere is Henry’s excellence as a King more evident than in his rallying, famous words at the siege of Harfleur.  “Once more unto the breach, dear friends, once more”8, he cries.  Those two small words, ‘dear friends’ tell the audience that Henry considers himself an equal both with his nobles and his soldiers – qualities that were bound to make him popular.  Using imagery and metaphors – “imitate the action of a tiger”9, “like greyhounds in the slips”10 (p96) – he encourages his men.   However, he is exploiting their patriotism, ...

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