“Assume the port of Mars: and at his heels,
Leashed in like hounds, should famine, sword
And fire”
Shakespeare here is comparing Henry and saying that he is as great and powerful as Mars who is the God of war telling the audience through this imagery that Henry is like a God and is as powerful as the famous God of War.
What the chorus also tells us is that two mighty monarchs, France and England, will battle over who rules France. The chorus apologizes and asks for the audience to use their imagination to imagine the stage into the plains of France in which Henry was victorious. The chorus asks the audience to picture the armed forces and their horses and the battle scenes that took place when watching the play.
In Act I scene I we are given details about Henry before he crowned King as the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Bishop of Ely discuss the fact that Henry is a changed man. At first they are discussing how they are trying to convince Henry to vote against a bill in which the consequences of the bill would be that the church “lose the better half of our possession”. They have agreed that if Henry votes against the bill, which assures its failure, they will agree to recognize the claim of Henry’s claim to the throne of France. Shakespeare gives us this information to tell the audience that Henry can be more powerful and that he has a right to be.
The archbishop of Canterbury in line22 tells us “The King is full of grace and fair regard” and the Bishop of Ely reply’s to this with “And a true lover of the holy church”. Not only is this telling us specific details about Henrys qualities Shakespeare is continually making the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Bishop of Ely praise Henry. The repetition of praises from such important people from the church makes Henry seem magnificent and almighty. Shakespeare makes them sum up his characteristics and personality.
Both men make remarks on Henry V in his youth. Shakespeare is giving details about Henry’s wild days with Canterbury saying
“The breath no sooner left his father's body
But that his wildness, mortified in him,
Seemed to die too: yea, at that very moment”
This tells us that before Henry was crowned King, he spent most of his time acting in a juvenile manner and they did not expect to be the best of all leaders but as soon as he was crowned he assumed power he has accepted all the responsibilities of being a King properly as well as showing that he is a great military leader as well as a good politician who is deeply religious.
In this scene it also tells us of the presence of the French Ambassadors at the court as well, which helps the next scene to flow in as we know because the Henry has claim to the thrown there will be trouble between them.
In scene two Henry V calls the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Bishop of Ely to ask them of his claims to the throne. Because of his age and his manner as a prince, Ely and Canterbury feel they can persuade Henry’s open mind to make a war happen. Henry is able to spot the subtle ways of the archbishop as well as follow the archbishop through his confusing speech where the archbishop traces Henry to the French crown through the English kings of the past. Although Henry agrees to Canterbury’s claims, he warns Canterbury that he should be very wary of the effect his claim on France could have upon the entire country as he warns the archbishop that his advice may cost a lot of blood.
Shakespeare conveys many things about dauphin through the ambassador. One thing, which is extremely obvious, is that Dauphin underestimates Henry and is mistaken Henry for the prince he used to be. We find this out through the words “savors too much of his youth”. The rude message was accompanied by a mocking gift of tennis balls with eh message that he should go play. Henry shows this anger not through expressions but through his words in his replying message back to the Dauphin.
