Discussing the play Henry V.

ENGLISH COURSEWORK HENRY V The play opens to Canterbury and Ely discussing Henry, on how his youth was savage and dishonest "the courses of his youth promised it not" but Canterbury also comments on how Henry has changed since his wilder days. "The breath no sooner left his father's body, but that wilderness, mortified him, seemed to die too, yea at that very moment consideration like an angel came and whipped the offending Adam out of him..." This shows us how his subjects view Henry as someone who has matured and become wise and responsible. Ely comments we are blessed by this change" This is also shows the trust f his subjects and hoe they now believe in his new authority. The dauphins gift shows us the first sign of a matured Henry, his speech is spoken in a powerful tone " ...shall strike his father's crown into the hazard.@ He is not shy in explaining his actions "when we have matched our rackets ..." but also speaks in a sarcastic maner to make a mockery of the French King "...and we understand him well, how he comes o' er us with our wilder days, not measuring what use we made them.." It is this that shows us how Henry is building a good reputaion for himself coming to full fruition, this would have influenced the audience of the time making him a role model showing how he is becoming more experienced in his reign. The manner in which

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  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: English
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Comment on the significance of Act 3 Scene 7 in what it suggests about kingship Henry, Society and the nature of war.

Comment on the significance of Act 3 Scene 7 in what it suggests about kingship Henry, Society and the nature of war. Henry V was written by William Shakespeare in the 1590's. In Act 3 Scene 6, the English have captured Harfleur and are on their way to Calais. Henry and his army are battle worn. In this scene the audience is introduced to the conflict between Henry's public side and his private side as a human being. This scene portrays Henry in various ways. Firstly, as a model king, Henry cannot display any signs of weakness or appear flexible. However, Shakespeare implies that Henry loses his temper by portraying him as speaking in prose. This lack of verse brings him down to the same level as Bardolph and the other base characters. Henry does not acknowledge knowing Bardolph even after he has been named by Fluellen: 'We would have all such offenders so cut off'. This statement suggests that Henry is trying to control his emotions and appear in a professional manner. Also, Henry justifies his reasons for punishing Bardolph to Fluellen; 'And/We give express charge, that in our marches through the country, there be nothing compelled from the village.' A model king should not have to justify his actions to his subjects as this suggests disloyalty and distrust. Friendship is portrayed in this scene also, in Pistol's plea for Bardolph's life. Fortune is Bardolph's foe''.

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  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: English
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An Exploration of Shakespeare(TM)s Presentation of the King in Henry V(TM).

An Exploration of Shakespeare's Presentation of the King in 'Henry V'. The play 'Henry V' written by William Shakespeare depicts Henry to be a magnanimous but ruthless king. He is portrayed as a soldier, a romantic, a friend as well as a king. In the first prologue of the play Henry is shown as having a mythical significance, which sets up an image of Henry before the audience actually encounter him. It is implied to the audience that Henry is an all-powerful being with 'famine, sword and fire' at his feet. This has a strong impact on the audience as a comparison between Henry and the Roman god of war suggests the magnitude of his power. 'Assume the port of Mars'. It represents not only the power he has in physical terms, but also shows his authoritative position. The Bishop develops the positive nature of Henry by referring to him as 'full of grace and fair regard', showing that he is not just an authoritative figure with immense power. In addition to this, in the conversation between Ely and Canterbury, the religious attachment of Henry is presented. For instance the quotation 'and a true lover of the holy church' shows that he is a person who loves and respects the church. Moreover, the fact that these positive comments are made by Ely and Canterbury who both have a prestigious status within the church, creates a significant effect on the audience as if such well

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  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: English
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Is Henry V an ideal Christian king?

Shakespeare coursework - 'Henry V' Henry V is the last of the four Shakespearean plays dealing with the rise of the House of Lancaster but unlike any of its predecessors, this play focuses more on going to war rather than the issue of ruling over England. In the play Henry [V] is portrayed as being the ideal Christian king, but what made an ideal king? In this essay, I will examine four key speeches made by Henry in the play, analyse them and see what they reveal about his character and from that deduce what made an ideal Christian king. The speeches that I will consider can be found in Act 1 Scene 2 [lines 259-298], Act 2 Scene 2 [lines 79-144], Act 3 Scene 1 [whole scene] and Act 3 Scene 3 [whole scene]. The first extract [Act 1 Scene 2] is Henry's reply to the Dauphin in response to the insult with the tennis balls. The purpose of this speech is very obvious from the start; to warn the Dauphin of the forthcoming invasion of France and the defeat of the French which Henry believes will come about as a result. He also tells the Dauphin that the whole country and its future citizens will hate him for this mockery of the king. The speech starts with an ironic light hearted riposte when he says, "We are glad the Dauphin is so pleasant with us..." [line 260]. Then almost immediately the speech takes on a greater seriousness and we can feel the tension swell in the room as Henry

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  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: English
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THE WAY HENRY IS PRESENTED AS KING AND LEADER

THE WAY HENRY IS PRESENTED AS KING AND LEADER Shakespeare presents Henry in a very good light, almost saying he has no faults. He is not easily fooled, and is very good in battle. All his citizens love him, and he believes God is on his side. Henry has many important events which he faces as e is king, plots for his life, criticism from the people, battles to which the population disagree, killing of his friend and victories. Henry seems to respond in nearly always the same sort of manner, not really getting angry. He foils the plot by the traitors in a clever manner, playing with them when they know that he knows what they really are and who their loyalty is to. Henry is constantly in command of the situation as he plays with them when he has handed them the scrolls saying What read you there, That have so cowarded and chased your blood Out of appearance?' He knows what they have seen but it shows that he able to have a bit of fun yet still be in full command. It also goes onto say when they have fallen to their knees and begged for forgiveness 'The mercy was quick in us but late' 'arrest them to answer to the law'. Scroop, Cambridge and Gray were high up in his court and probably his friends but he was still able to punish them and treat them as he would have treated a peasant. This shows his fairness. Another example is the killing of Bardolf for stealing from a

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  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: English
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Henry V in Act 1 and 2

Angus Walker 3rd May 2007 The Presentation of Henry in Acts I and II In Acts I and II of Henry V, the King is portrayed in many different ways. These include cautious, honourable, witty and responsible. In these Act I, Henry is debating with the Bishops of Canterbury and Ely whether to go to war with France. They decide to go to war, but only with sensible precautions in place to stop the Scots invading. In Act II Henry deals with three traitors. The scene then moves to the French King's court, where he and the Dauphin are discussing England's declaration of war. In Act I Scene i the two bishops are discussing the King. Shakespeare uses their dialogue as a device with which we learn Henry's character. For example we learn that Henry was a troubled youth, and spent hours drinking and banqueting. But then he matures and blossoms into a serious King: "Consideration like an angel came" With this phrase Shakespeare tells us of his change. When Henry arrives and inquires as to what the bishops think of the war, Shakespeare presents Henry as responsible, as he says before Canterbury gives his judgement that the bishop should be just as "God doth know how...shall drop their blood in approbation of what your reverence shall incite us to do." In this sentence Henry is saying that

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  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: English
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Henry V, Act III,.1

Henry V Henry V, Act III,.1 King Henry has rejected a deal with the French and Harfleur is being besieged, in the background to this opening scene. After all Henry's warnings about the horrors of war in Act 1.2., the explosions and trumpet call implied by the stage direction 'Alarum, and chambers go off' must have made the audience jump. Particularly as the chorus had asked it to imagine all these things, 'eke out our performance with your mind,'(III.35) rather than expect them in reality. 'And down goes all before them' (III.34) suggests a breach has been made in the defensive wall of Harfleur and Henry must rally his retreating forces. There is a sort of heroic desperation in the first two lines of the opening scene, something that offers the stark alternatives of either death or glory. Henry's speech seems to have an independent life of its own. Lines such as, 'Once more unto the breach, dear friends, once more,' 'Cry, "God for Harry, England and Saint George!"(III.1.1-34) resonate far beyond the confines of the play, yet they must be considered within it's context. The advice Henry gives to his soldiers appears to apply as much to himself as to them, 'stiffen the sinews, summon up the blood..set the teeth..hold... bend.'(III.1.6-9, 15-17) They are all active verbs stating that the men have to make a conscious, active effort to become war-like. All these

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  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: English
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Henry V Speech Analysis

Henry V persuasion speech analysis. Once more unto the breach dear friends once more. This speech given by Henry 5th is set at the siege of the French town Harfleur, where Henry's miners have blown a breach in the outer wall and his soldiers are reluctant to enter the castle as they know that it means almost certain death. Henry is trying to persuade them to rush into the breach. Shakespeare's speech for Henry is decasyllabic, ( each line has 10 syllables) showing that Henry is a noble man. "dear friends" In the first line of the speech Henry addresses his soldiers personally, this creates a feeling of comradeship and allows him to gain their trust, with the intention of increasing their loyalty to him as they feel that they are respected and held in high esteem. "Or close the wall up with our English dead" Henry does not lie to his soldiers; he is honest and tells them that it is better for them to die fighting like heroes than cowards that will end up filling up the breach with their dead bodies. This reinforces the soldiers trust in Henry as they feel that he is openly addressing the situation at hand and he earns their respect by doing so. "In peace there's nothing so becomes a man As modest stillness and humility;" Shakespeare uses sibilants which are consonants that are pronounced with a hissing sound in 'peace', 'modest' and 'stillness' and rallentando which

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  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: English
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The character of Henry V act 1 scene 2

Henry's character is revelled in more depth in this scene. Shakespeare has given Henry the attributes of a respectable king and a skilful soldier. He has the qualities to win against the Dauphin. Henry is a devoutly religious man, 'save those to God that run before our business.' In addition he seeks approval and support of the Church before waging war. He prays sincerely, entrusting his enterprise to God's will. Henry is said to be ambitious, 'I will rise there with so full a glory that I will dazzle the eyes of France.' Here he says he will win the war against the Dauphin and he is shown to be very confident when he says this. 'We are no tyrants, but a Christian king unto whose grace our passion is as subject.' This quote gives the evidence that Henry has a courteous side to him. This means that he has respect and belief that his subjects will stand by him all the way. Henry is very patient in this scene since the French ambassador took a long time to come and see Henry and proves his claim is right to the throne. Henry's reply to the Dauphin's message shows dignity, self-control and wit. There is also, menacing determination in his speech. The message from the Dauphin was that Henry's life was always a game so he sent Henry tennis balls to play with. Henry using his self controls turns the gift to mocker the Dauphin by saying the war will be a brutal game.

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  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: English
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Was Henry V an inspiring leader or a cold and severe king?

Was Henry V an inspiring leader or a cold and severe king? "Henry was an inspiring leader but a cold and severe king." In this essay I am going to look at the evidence in the play and using this decide which of the points in this statement I agree with. There is no doubt that Henry was a very inspirational man because, by 'firing them up' with his speeches he leads his troops to victory at the battle of Agincourt against all the odds. He inspires them and fires them up getting them ready for battle by telling them they are "lords of the battlefield" and his equal. His stirring speech inspires his men and prepares them to die for King and Country if necessary. However, Shakespeare shows us in the play that Henry can be very cold and severe. For example, he executes his friends Bardolph and Nym for stealing from a holy place. He also rejects and casts his best friend Falstaff away and as the play informs us, he "kills his heart." Henry is inspiring and cold and severe depending on the situation. In the previous plays Henry was a young mischievous boy but in this play it shows Henrys' great transformation from a young wild boy into a great king. This explains his actions towards Falstaff. Henry's actions during the play can be interpreted in different ways. For example when he executes his best friends Bardolph and Nymn for robbing a French church, this could be seen

  • Word count: 2395
  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: English
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