Nevertheless this speech can be seen in another light. Hal is going to become King one day and this seems to be something he has no worries about, and something he has accepted. He has not let anyone have any expectations of him and so when he does perform this ‘reformation’ it will actually seem more special. Furthermore, he believes that if he manages to make a miraculous recovery from the life of sin, more people will be impressed by him than if he had led a quiet life:
“(My reformation) Shall show more goodly, and attract more eyes
Than that which hath no foil to set it off”
From the very beginning of “Henry V”, Shakespeare portrays Henry as a strong and competent ruler, well liked by his people. His early speeches are short and to the point and he commands the approval of all his advisors. Henry is continually level-headed, and clearly puts a great deal of effort into making his battle plans. In Act four, Scene One, he even goes as far as to disguise himself on the eve of Agincourt. The chorus tells us how he walks among his men, greeting them, smiling at them with “cheerful semblance and sweet majesty…thawing cold fear”. Although Henry is conscious of his responsibilities as a King and the difference between him and those serving him, he sympathises with, cares about, and feels the same feelings as the common soldier. Henry’s youth spent consorting with the lower classes may have played a part in his attitude towards those below him, and given him a virtual insight to what they require.
We also see Henry as a skilled and inspiring speaker. When his men are despondent at the sheer numbers of the French compared with their own “ruined band”, Henry delivers the rousing St Crispian’s Day speech before the battle of Agincourt and fires them all with enthusiasm (Act four, Scene three) Henry is displayed by Shakespeare as a model King and military leader, and in comparison the English are portrayed as the better side as opposed to the less than adequate French side. Shakespeare was obviously somewhat biased when it came to his own country.
Although Henry’s duties as a King seem flawless we question his character at certain points of the play when his friends become complications in his duties. He shows no favouritism towards Bardolph, who is caught stealing from a church. Henry had given orders for no looting and lets the execution proceed. Also, when Falstaff falls ill, the hostess certainly believes that Henry has acted in an unfeeling way to Falstaff: “the king has killed his heart” This could be considered cold hearted or it could be argued he is fair and firm. Perhaps the most insight into Henry as a man is when he is wooing Katherine, the
Melanie Parkes
French King’s daughter; he is conscious of his limitations as a speaker of French and as a lover and in a awkward position a sense of humour and how genuine he is begins to show in Henry. This gains sympathy and more insight into Henry’s personality.
Another example of Henry as a man in the play is when the Dauphin sends Henry ‘treasure’ only to discover tennis balls. Faced with an obvious gesture of contempt, everyone wonders how Henry will react. Surprisingly Henry is calm, controlled and composed, He retorts, “When we have matched our rackets to these, we will in France, play a set shall strike his father’s crown into the hazard.” He tells the Dauphin that this little joke will cost thousands of lives and the blame will be placed on irresponsibility. Shakespeare has shown Henry’s strength of character; to control himself and pull through to rule well.
Henrys character is also portrayed differently depending on the director of the play or of the actor playing him. In Laurence Olivier’s film Henry is portrayed as even more heroic by cutting away embarrassing parts of the play, such as the Cambridge, Scroop and Gray conspiracy; Henry’s threat to the citizens of Harfleur; the massacre of the French prisoners and some awkward questions posed by Williams. In Kenneth Branaghs film Henry is again presented as heroic and a sincerely religious King, at times torn between loyalty to old friends and a strong sense of justice and right conduct.
The Chorus refers to Henry as “the mirror of all Christian Kings” This is important because Shakespeare always seems to use the Chorus to present Henry as heroic, almost superhuman figure, worthy of our admiration. In the closing Chorus Henry is referred to as “the star of England” After reading “Henry IV Part 1”, “Henry V “ and watching Oliver’s and Branagh’s films of the plays in my opinion Henry generally comes over as a faultless King and military leader, but that Shakespeare the introduces doubts from time to time and that on the personal front Henry shows his limitations. However, if I was only to see two films I don’t think there would be any doubt created about Henry’s duties as a King or a man. When you read the play, when Bardolph is caught stealing he is hanged and we don’t know what Henry is thinking, on the other hand, in Branagh’s film it shows Henry genuine grief as he is being hung memories of the Boar’s Head Tavern with Bardolph are shown in flashback.
Although Henry may have had a bad start, he knew his aims; he knew what he wanted to do and the result of his actions. I cant help but admire Henry for putting his duties as a King first, at even the most difficult times when his friends are involved. He comes over as an inspirational leader, caring for the thoughts of his men and trying to uplift them. Henry as a man is also admirable; he may have his faults with wooing, but I think this reminds us he is human and he still manages to come through on top.