However the king did not push the responsibilities of the war only onto the shoulders of the Archbishop, he also took the opportunity to push the responsibility onto the shoulders of the Dauphine, the son of the King of France. As the Dauphine was aware of the king’s intentions to claim the French crown, he sent his ambassadors with a gift: tennis balls. The king replies with self-control and courtesy that “we understand him well / How he comes o’er us with out wilder days / Not measuring what use we made of them.” (I.2.266-8) The king views the gift as an insult thus allowing him to once again push the responsibilities of war, now to the Dauphine, “his soul / Shall stand sore charged for the wasteful vengeance / That shall fly with them:” “And some are yet ungotten and unborn / That shall have cause to curse the Dauphine’s scorn” “ and tell the Dauphine / His jest will savour but of shallow wit / When thousands weep more than did laugh at it.” (I.2.283-5, 288-9, 295-7) Once again the king pushes the blame to clear his conscience, as he does not wish to worry of the consequences of war later in his afterlife.
We further see the powers of the king as he ordered a man who had committed a minor offence the day before to be released from prison. However, three of his old companions, Scroop, Cambridge and Grey, disagree with his decision and argue that the king must set an example and punish the criminal to the full extent of the law. The king however, explains that if one were to be punished severely for a petty crime, how would one be punished for major crimes? At this juncture, Henry confronts the three men with their plot to kill him. All three confess and asks Henry for mercy. Henry was greatly taken aback by Scroop’s who “knew’st the very bottom of [his] soul, / That almost mightst have coined mw into gold,” (II.2.97-98) and betrayed Henry for a price. Despite his disbelieve, he compassionately says “I will weep for thee; / For this revolt of thine, methinks, is like / Another fall of man.” (II.2.140-42) Henry even holds no grudges against them “Touching our person seek we no revenge.” (II.2.174) Despite being old friends, Henry had to rise above this personal tragedy and turns it to a political tragedy instead. However much the tragedy was personal, he must transcend it for the sake of England and he had to send those he believed to be loyal friends to their deaths. Henry also then quickly turns his attention to the war with France as a means of letting his personal feelings to get in the way of his decision.
In comparison to the power that King Henry had, the characters in The Rover were struggling with a different kind of power. Here we see the relationship between sexes and how the women fight to have a say in deciding whom they wish to spend the rest of their lives with.
In the opening scene, we see Helena and Florinda talking about love and marriage. The two of them believe that one should marry for love instead of someone whom their father chooses for them. Florinda firmly says “With indignation; and how near soever my father thinks I am to marrying that hated object, I shall let him see I understand better what’s due to my beauty, birth and fortune, and more to my soul, than to obey those unjust commands.” (I.1.17-20) It was uncommon at that time that a women had any voice in deciding their relationship, but here we have two women who are determined to break “the ill customs of [their] country.” (I.1.57) Florinda points out to Pedro that a forced marriage would be to “make a salve of his sister.” (I.1.57-58) Helena on the other hand would “rather be a nun than be obliged to marry as [Pedro] would have [her].” (I.1.122-123) The two women adamantly voice out their opinion on Florinda’s arranged marriage to either Vincentio or Antonio. The former is the choice of the father and the latter the choice of Pedro. However if permitted, Florida would rather marry Belvile, an English Colonel, for love rather than to “increase her bags.” (I.1.77) The two women were willing to do anything in their power to prevent them for being forced into an arranged marriage.
Belvil on the other hand uses what powers that he has to enable him to be with Florinda. However, his ability to fight for the hand of Florida was a twist of fate. As Wilmore tried to go into Angelica’s house he encounters Antonio. The two face off in a battle and Antonio is felled. During the commotion, Belvil enters, however he is mistaken to be the one of setting upon Antonio as Wilmore fled from the scene. Antonio then strikes a deal with Belvil that he’ll pose as Antonio and fight Pedro on his behalf as the two of them were after Angelica. Belvil agrees as he thinks that they would be fighting over Florinda. Florinda hears from Pedro that Antonio will be fighting him for her and she was taken aback as she feels that the victor of the battle would have her hand thus losing all hope for her to be with Belvil. Belvil fights Pedro and as Pedro is felled, Florinda intervenes. As with the customary rights of the battle, Pedro agrees to let Belvil marry Florinda, not knowing that it was Belvil that he was fighting. In the end Pedro gives his approval of marriage between Florinda and Belvil. Here we see how Belvil managed to use the power that was in his hands to free Florinda from being forced into marriage against her will.
We have seen two different strategies of power used by different people in the two texts. In Henry V the power lies on the shoulders of Henry, as he is the King of England. He realises the decision that he makes must not benefit him but instead it should benefit the country. With this in mind, he puts the political needs of the country ahead of his own personal needs. Even to the extent of sentencing his old friends to be executed, as they were found guilty of conspiring to kill him. However, despite the power that he possesses, he does not duly take on the responsibility that is bestowed upon him. Instead, he finds means to place the responsibilities of his decision on the shoulders of the Archbishop and the Dauphine as he plans to invade France. In contrast, Belvil in The Rover did not have the power decide that he could have Florinda’s hand in marriage. Instead the power was presented to him due to the folly of Pedro and Antonio. In this instance, he made use of the power that he had to his advantage to attain his goal of marrying Florinda. However, he also faced difficulties with the fellow countrymen, Wilmore, Frederick and Blunt, who all, in one way or another made it difficult for him to attain his goal. Nevertheless, Belvil took on the responsibilities to make the best of the situation and to turn it to his advantage. In the end enabling him to finally achieve his dream of marrying Florinda.
In comparing these two texts, we are exposed to how different people handle the power that is given to them. Either by virtue of being a ruler, or by sheer coincidence of being at the right place at the right time. We have those who embrace the power and use it to their advantage, whereas there are those who choose to pass on the responsibilities of the power to someone else so as not to be held responsible if things go wrong. Despite the differences in informing the powers that they have, the discharge of the powers was done not only to benefit themselves but also those around them.
(1699 words)
Bibliography
-
Shakespeare, William (1996 edn) Henry V, ed. A.R. Humphreys, England, Penguin Books, (1996).
-
Behn, Aphra (1677 edn) The Rover, ed. W.R. Owens, London, The Open University, (1996)