I will be analysing the characteristics of Captain Dennis Stanhope from the play Journeys End, by R.C. Sherriff.

Authors Avatar

Jay shah        English Controlled Assessment        Centre Number: 12343

Question 2        Journey’s End        Candidate Number: 2108

The Character of Stanhope

In this essay, I will be analysing the characteristics of Captain Dennis Stanhope from the play “Journey’s End”, by R.C. Sherriff.

Captain Dennis Stanhope was the commanding officer of Company ‘C’ in the army. From an English public school, where he played Cricket and “Rugger” (Rugby), Stanhope had become an inspiration to his men at the front. His drinking obsession was a direct consequence of the stress involved from the pressure of being a commanding officer on the front line.

Described as a tall, thin, broad shouldered, 21-year-old commander, his appearances are affected by a three year service under the French; his previously tanned face becomes pale and appears tired and drawn.

The first scene of Journey’s End deliberately excludes the direct introduction of Stanhope, himself, so as to allow the other characters to build up his status as the leader of his the men in his platoon. The characters Hardy and Osborne are seen having a conversation in which they describe his guilty pleasure as “Drinking like a fish” (page 4). However, out of loyalty and respect for Stanhope, Osborne responds to Hardy’s comment by staying that “he’s a long way the best commander we’ve got.”(Page 4)

Join now!

We swiftly gain the impression that Stanhope, despite his tender age, is equally devoted as he is a strong character in this play, who is dedicated to his duty, as is portrayed via Hardy and Osborne’s statements that were in support of Stanhope: “he didn’t go home in his last leave, did he?” “Other men come over here and go home again ill, and young Stanhope goes on sticking it, month in, month out”.

Following the introduction of the character Raleigh, who helps to perpetuate the audience’s respect for Stanhope’s character, Raleigh accounts his past with Stanhope “Dennis”. Together, they ...

This is a preview of the whole essay