‘Noble Harry,’
And,
‘Star of England,’
This proves that his character has changed. It also strengthens the audience’s view on him and people will respect him a lot more. The audience and characters can see that he has changed from the old Henry and that he has learnt from his mistakes. He has changed from his young, wild days and into a responsible king.
The churches support, is important to Henry because he feels he has been chosen by God to look after and lead the country; If he wasn’t close to the church then he wasn’t going to be close to God. In act 1 scene 1, we see that Henry is familiar with religious affairs and he is a brilliant politician and dealmaker. We also see that he manipulates the churches fanatical support. The support of the church makes Henrys claim to the French throne more legitimate and helps improve the support of the rest of the country. Also, the clergy gives Henry a legal claim to the throne.
Henry is a Christian king and people will support him more because in those days, people were very close to the church and God. Because of this he is able to win support of Scotland and this contrasts with Henry’s youth. Henry is able to use the church, so that the war against France is not just a war for the crown but it is a religious crusade against France.
We see that throughout the play Henry gradually rises to power,
‘And plodded like a man for working days, but I will rise there will so a full glory.’
So, because of the churches support, Henry has got the support of the country and the peoples support as well.
Henry credits God all the time because he feels that God has got him to where he is as a king, and that he has been chosen by God to look after the country and the people of England. Henry feels that whatever he does its Gods will and if he succeeds in what he does, it is because God wants him to. This is why it is so important to Henry that he must credit God all the time. He believes that he is the
‘Divine right of king’
and his actions are what God wants, and that God put him on earth for a specific job, and that is to lead England. Henry always says ‘we,’ meaning him and God. He feels that he is speaking for God and he gives all the credit to God. In that time, religion dominated, and Henry is grateful for that.
In act 4 scene 1, Henry says a prayer before going into battle. He does this because he feels that God will give him support and reassurance. He is looking for answers from God when he prays. He is praying for his soldiers to prevent them from being afraid of dying, and afraid of going into battle and killing other people,
‘Not to-day, O lord.’
‘Posses them not with fear.’
He also prays for forgiveness because Richard II was killed, so Henry’s father could be king. Henry says he has atoned for his father’s sins.
‘…..Think not upon my father’s fault…..’
‘Sing still for Richard’s soul.’
Henry’s parting words are a prayer in themselves and demonstrate Henrys needs for his friends and divine support.
‘The day my friends, and all things stay for me.’
This scene shows the audience a king which has many different and seemingly, conflicting qualities. He is a man of the people and God. He is a just and responsible man, and he is a soldier who is prepared for battle at whatever costs. Henry is an ordinary man who is praying not just for him but for his country and people.
In act 4 scene 6.8, Henry orders hymns to be sung because he is crediting and thanking God for getting them through the battle. He and his soldiers are grateful to God for this.
These scenes tell us a lot about Henrys character. He sees himself as an ordinary man and as a brave solider, not just a king. He doesn’t want all the credit for winning the battle because he believes that it was God that helped them and it was God that made them succeed. This shows that Henry isn’t big headed and knows what he believes in. He knows how to run the country and persuade people in making the right choices. He has a strong character and he is very religious and takes God seriously. Henry values his soldiers and country because he turned to God and asked for help. All his praying for his soldiers and the battle paid off. If Henry didn’t have these qualities then they probably wouldn’t have won the war.
One of Henry’s skills that make him an excellent leader is the use of rhetoric to persuade his men. In act 3 scene 1, he says a very persuasive speech that makes the soldiers ready for battle and gives them reasons for going into battle with France. His opening sentence is,
‘Once more into the breach, dear friends, once more;’
This is a very effective opening to the speech because I immediately started to listen. Throughout the speech Henry uses all sorts of language and persuasive phrases. He uses emotive language, similes, repetition and strong imagery. He creates images in the soldiers and the audience’s mind about their families, mothers and fathers,
‘Whose blood is fet from fathers of war proof.’
He does this so it persuades them to go into battle because it will bring respect and honour to their family and their country,
‘On, on, you noblest English.’
He also uses the image of creatures,
‘Imitate the action of the tiger.’
This means go into battle and act fearless and brave. Henry persuades the soldiers that they are going to win and they won’t die and don’t be afraid. He also gives them lots of reasons for going into battle and lets them know that they are fighting for the right side and God will be with them.
It shows us that Henry is a good leader because he acts like he is a soldier and an ordinary man. The soldiers feel that they can relate to Henry because of this, and Henry knows how to act and what to say to make the soldiers like him and they will follow him as a leader. Henry is a good leader because he has many skills that make him a good king and he knows how to use them. Henry feels that he is alive for a reason and that is to be a leader and help people. He feels that he has been picked for this job and he is speaking for God. It is good that Henry sees himself as an ordinary man so he speaks at the same level as the soldiers. So they don’t feel that they are being spoken down to. They are on the same level as Henry.
The speech Henry delivers to his soldiers in act 3 is important in the play because it shows us a lot about Henry’s leadership. The speech must be acted and spoken in a certain way to get the point across to the soldiers. The opening sentence must be said confidently and boldly, he needs to get the attention of the soldiers and if he talks quietly with no energy or movements to go with his words, then the soldiers won’t be interested in what Henry has to say. Henry won’t be able to get them focused and determined to go into battle. He must stand taller than the soldiers and talk down to them. His body language is important and he must be stood confidently and looking at everybody so the soldiers know that he is talking to them. He must show that he has confidence in winning the battle and he has confidence in them. If he seems that he is a bit unsure of the battle the soldiers will know and they will feel the same.
Henry is trying to get the soldiers to be determined for battle and in the speech he gives them reasons for fighting. He makes them think of home and their families, and how they will bring respect to their family and themselves. Not only does Henry get the soldiers going but the audience too. The speech gives the audience a bit of excitement and they feel like they are going to battle too.
In act 4 scene 1, Henry disguises himself as a normal man so he can go around the camp and talk to the soldiers to find out what the soldiers really think of him and the battle. When pistol asks him,
‘who goes there,’
Henry replies and says,
‘A friend,’
This shows us that Henry cares about what people think of him. He wants to know that the soldiers are ready for the battle and they agree on why they are fighting. He wants to know that he isn’t going into battle just for himself but for the benefit of the country. As he speaks to the soldiers around the camp he finds out what they really think of him. Some people say he is,
‘Noble,’ and ‘brave.’
By going around the camp and finding out what the soldiers really think, It shows us that Henry isn’t just concerned for himself, but for everyone and that he is an unselfish and caring person.
In act 5 scene 2, Henry is left alone with Catherine. She seems that she is uncomfortable talking to him and she says she doesn’t understand English. Though out the scene we see that this isn’t true. Catherine doesn’t want to speak to Henry because he is the enemy of France, she doesn’t love him and has to marry him when she hasn’t even meet him before. They are getting married for political reason because Catherine will bring France and England Closer together. Henry knows that when they have children they will have a legal right to the French throne.
Though out the scene, Catherine becomes more relaxed around Henry. Maybe she and the audience are seeing a different side to Henrys character. Henry asks Catherine if she loves him.
‘Canst thou love me?’
This shows that Henry does care about the marriage and to me I think he wants her to love him. Catherine says she cannot tell.
‘I cannot tell,’
Catherine shows that understands more English because she did understand the question. Also Catherine laughs at Henrys jokes. This shows the audience he has a sense of humour. He is talking to Catherine like an ordinary man would, not as a king. Catherine sees this and instead of ignoring him and pretending not to understand she talks to him. Henry tries to talk to her in French. Catherine just laughs. To me this shows that Henry does care about Catherine although he is marring her for political reasons. Near the end of the scene we can tell this because he tries to kiss her and he also asks her if she will have him. How romantic!
‘I love thee, Kate…..Wilt thou have me.’
Catherine says to Henry that she has no choice. After this Henry says he will kiss her on her lips. Catherine isn’t impressed and moves away from Henry. The French king enters and lets them kiss. Henry says that Catherine has,
‘Witchcraft,’
On her lips. Henry isn’t just bothered about being the most powerful king, he is an ordinary man and he sees himself as a brave soldier.
Henry's language to Catherine in the scene is totally different from the rest of the play. His personality is different as well. We see a totally different Henry. It shows to me and the audience that he is merly a man. He is an ordinary soldier.
Shakespeare has structured the play well. It was vital that we saw Henrys character built from a young, careless Prince to a King and as he was King his character grew stronger and stronger. He has started at the bottom and rose to the top. We see his developing skills and know why he is a successful King.
The role of the chorus has been important in the play because he introduces the play and tells the audience what is going on. The chorus in a Greek theatre consisted of one or more people who would update the audience. The reason for this is because plays were performed to an audience of thousands in an amphitheatre. The Greek theatre is set up with the stage in the centre and then the audience is around it, getting further and further away. Some people will see the back of actors or actresses and not hear as well so the chorus tells them so they can use their imagination and understand what’s happening.
So, hopefully now you will know some of the skills that make a good leader and how Henry shows this, but remember that there isn’t a perfect king. Even Henry has bad points. Nobody can be perfect but they can try to be, and this is how people improve. There isn’t,
‘A mirror to all Christian kings,’
The play Henry \/, will always be relevant to a modern day audience because it shows us a lot about leadership and trying to run a country. People can learn a lot from the play and try to use some of Henrys skills into becoming better in themselves. Henry \/ will be relevant for a long time because it is a well written and structured play in which morals and values are relevant to us all.
