Explain what Osborne means to Stanhope and how is this shown in the play

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Page  of         06/10/2004 to 22/03/2006        JOURNEY’S END

“The one man I could trust - my best friend - the one man I could talk to as man to man - who understood everything.”

Explain what Osborne means to Stanhope and how is this shown in the play.

        Throughout the play, Stanhope is portrayed as a great leader, and a General who every one looks up to.  Although he is shown as a very strong character, he is still very young and in such a hard environment, even he needs someone he can rely on.  This role is fulfilled by Osborne, the kindly, old second in command.  Osborne helps all those in the dug out, but his relationship with Stanhope seems to be on a much more personal level.

Osborne is Stanhope’s only support through his ordeal in the war; he is the only one in the dugout with whom Stanhope is open enough with to share his inner most thoughts and feelings.  This is shown in the incident when Stanhope shows Osborne the picture of Raleigh’s sister, and reveals that “She is waiting for [him]-and she doesn’t know.”  Through these words, we can see that Stanhope fully trusts Osborne, and knows that he will not be judged for anything he admits.  This bond of trust, feeling of unconditional acceptance, and knowledge that Osborne is always there for him is what helps keep Stanhope sane and rational through the play.  

Osborne often acts as Stanhope’s champion, defending him stoutly against anyone who speaks against him.  There are many occasions when Stanhope is criticised, and Osborne shows a lot of respect for Stanhope when he stand up for him.  When speaking to Hardy, he first describes Stanhope as “long way the best company commander [they have] got” and then emphasises his point through his comment that “he’ll command the battalion one day”.  This support of Stanhope shows his staunch loyalty to Stanhope and this security is essential to one in Stanhope’s position.  The fact that Osborne expressed his praise at that moment shows the depth his dedication to Stanhope, as it was said when it was disadvantageous to himself, because he was disputing Hardy’s speculations of Osborne’s promotion to company commander.  

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Although usually Osborne helps and supports Stanhope, it is very evident that Stanhope has a great respect for Osborne, even though he may not openly admit it.  When they arrive at the dugout, Stanhope is offered the better bed by Osborne; he refuses it on the grounds that Osborne “must have a little comfort in [his] old age”.  By saying that, Stanhope indicates that he thinks that Osborne is superior to him and should therefore get the better bed.

The war has obviously made Stanhope quite mentally unstable, and at one point of the play he feels that he ...

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