In Act Three Scene One Henrys speech is world famous as well as showing a lot about Henry character and how he feels about becoming King of England. “Once more into the breach, dear friends, once more;” the two words “dear friends” tells the reader that Henry considers himself as an equal to his soldiers and also shows how his use of language for encouraging his men. Churchill has also used such speeches for this as he has recognised this as a famous speech in his efforts in the 2nd World War as he knew this speech would have made Henry popular as in his speeches he mentions many aspects of life from peace and war with honour and patriotism. “Follow your spirit, and upon this charge.” (See picture below)
Through out the play Henrys usage of the words “I” and “we” as Henry V play is the unique of Shakespeare’s writing as usually these reveal their personal thoughts and emotions often in soliloquies apart from Henry whose public mask is almost firmly in place to hide his inside thoughts to the reader. This could have developed as a defence mechanism to move away or hide from his bad behaviour as a child or simply to show no weaknesses to foe or his soldiers. A good king will be able to converse with and understand the will of the common man that he does in Act Four when he passes himself off as a soldier to merge with and talk with the soldiers.
The readers know Henry is in disguise even though the soldiers don’t realise that it is the king trying to raise his troops morale “I myself heard the king say he would not be ransomed.” Henry was a determined character who convinced a soldier Bates with his passionate use of language to become willing to fight whist still knowingly being outnumbered to the French troops in the near future battle that lay before them. This scene shows a more desirable quality of Henry in his courage but also his efforts of encouraging his men. Henry does after his talk with Bates speak openly to him self of his own worries to himself as he dwells on the idea of his role as a king is much tougher as to be king is to worry while the soldiers sleep of his actions and the consequences of them. This could show Henry lack of maturity or his youthfulness as he realises what the role of a king truly entails.
Charm and an ability to woo and be loved by women are yet more qualities King Henry displays in Act Five Scene Two. With all these qualities being shown by the king it becomes more obvious what Shakespeare is trying to do in creating a perfect king. In this scene Henry is with the French princess Katherine and her attendant. “Mock mercifully, the rather, gentle princess, because I love thee cruelly.” This is just one line spoken to woo Katherine to create an English and French alliance. Henrys usage of the word “I” is not spoken as a true feeling from himself as his proposal to Katherine he presented himself in a very cold and impersonal posture as he didn’t even grant Katherine permission to sit but he sat virtually the whole way through the courtship. This for me puts question into the surface meaning of the language as again Henry never really reveals his true self from under his public mask but uses his language as a source of achieving his goals but not openly exposing his inner thoughts.
I believe that Shakespeare used the character of Henry to show his patriotism and inspire it in others in his telling of the great victory of Agincourt as well as inspiring patriotism in the common man. Shakespeare in my opinion used his plays as means of creating messages to all Englishmen to strive and achieve their goals and by doing this would result in becoming a role model in reflection of Henry and becoming a perfect gentleman. Shakespeare message is clear to show if everyone were as honourable as King Henry and I think this was to set guidelines for a Utopian perfect gentleman. It would be unjust to discuss Henry as a King without relating how Shakespeare has portrayed his character so this is why I feel Shakespeare has a main role in my essay, Henry is seen to be at all times politically correct in most of his speeches, Shakespeare does not let a reader really see Henrys true self but just an almost perfect noble king.
