Henry V is a profound examination by Shakespeare into true leadership amidst the contrasting backdrop of England's pride and the poignant demise of Falstaff.
Introduction
Plot Summary
Memorable Quotes
Reflection
Conclusion
Introduction
The play "Henry V," written by the celebrated author Shakespeare, not only depicts the heroic figure but also delves into the vulnerabilities of a monarch weighed down by the crown, prompting contemplation on the true essence of leadership desired in this era. It portrays England's beloved monarch, Henry V, in Shakespeare's language, and was first performed in 1599. Considering the turmoil during the reign of King Henry IV due to legitimacy issues, Henry V asserts his claim to the French throne, leading to the Battle of Agincourt in 1415, where he decisively defeats the numerically superior French forces, compelling their surrender. Additionally, it illustrates his marriage to Catherine of Valois as a provision of the Treaty of Troyes in 1420. Henry V, reigning for a brief nine years, emerges as a revered monarch, winning victories against France and stabilizing domestic affairs, earning him the admiration of the English people.
Shakespeare left behind a total of ten historical plays, among which the Lancaster Tetralogy, comprising "Richard II," "Henry IV (Parts 1 and 2)," and "Henry V," stands out. "Henry V" serves as the final piece in the Tetralogy, set against the backdrop of the Hundred Years' War.
Summary
Act 1
Henry V, feeling insulted by the French prince, believes he must invade France to claim his rightful throne. Henry thwarts an assassination plot, delivers a powerful speech, and wins battles. Ultimately, he successfully courts and marries Catherine, a French princess, thereby uniting the two nations.
Act 2
In preparation for his conquest, Henry rejects many of his former companions, three of whom conspire against him and are apprehended. Meanwhile, Pistol, Nym, and Bardolph, former associates of Henry from Henry IV Part 1 and 2, enlist in the army. Upon hearing of the death of their leader, Sir John Falstaff, they start the war. Everyone believes young King Henry rejected Falstaff out of wounded pride, leading to his demise.
Act 3
The French king receives Henry's ambassador, Exeter, and the English army surrounds and captures the town of Harfleur. In this battle, Henry delivers a stirring speech to his troops, urging them to fight with fervor. He then departs from Harfleur to Calais, gradually moving through the French countryside. Meanwhile, at the French court, the invaders are mocked. Princess Catherine, awaiting the arrival of Henry, practices English with her waiting women.
Act 4
At the English camp, Henry's friend Pistol mocks the Welsh captain Fluellen. After numerous battles, both armies begin preparing for battle near Agincourt. On the eve of the battle, the king disguises himself and visits his soldiers to learn from them, praying to God for reward for his responsibilities in victory. As dawn approaches, the French generals are confident in their superior forces. Henry encourages his army to fight for success and rejects another French envoy's offer of surrender with contempt.
Act 5
The French suffer heavy losses and are defeated, while the English army suffers little casualties. Thankful to God for his victory, Henry returns to London. Before his departure, he encounters the Welsh claimant, Fluellen. Henry reconciles with the French king and courts Princess Catherine, leading to the union of the two nations through marriage. The play ends with a chorus reminding the audience that there is little time left before Henry's young son inherits the ravaged two nations from the war.
Memorable Quotes from Henry V
Prologue
"O, for a muse of fire, that would ascend The brightest heaven of invention, A kingdom for a stage, princes to act, And monarchs to behold the swelling scene!" - Chorus
"Can this cockpit hold The vasty fields of France? or may we cram Within this wooden O the very casques That did affright the air at Agincourt?" - Chorus
Act 3, Scene 1
"Once more unto the breach, dear friends, once more; Or close the wall up with our English dead!" - King Henry
"The game's afoot: Follow your spirit, and upon this charge Cry 'God for Harry, England, and Saint George!'" - King Henry
Act 3, Scene 2
"Few words suffice; the king is the best of men." - Boy
Act 3, Scene 7
"He's a lion in a man's mouth, brave as any in Lithefield." - Orleans
Act 4, Scene 1
"I think the king is but a man, as I am: the violet smells to him as it doth to me." - King Henry
"Every subject's duty is the king's; but every subject's soul is his own." - King Henry
Act 4, Scene 3
"This story shall the good man teach his son; And Crispin Crispian shall ne'er go by, From this day to the ending of the world, But we in it shall be remembered; We few, we happy few, we band of brothers; For he to-day that sheds his blood with me Shall be my brother." - King Henry
Act 5, Scene 1
"All things are ready, if our minds be so." - Fluellen
Act 5, Scene 2
"O Kate, nice customs curtsy to great kings. Dear Kate, you and I cannot be confined within the weak list of a country's fashion. We are the makers of manners, Kate." - King Henry
Review of Henry V
Finally, I read 'Henry V', a play that had been sitting on my bookshelf gathering dust as I was hesitant to delve into it without much knowledge of British history. While I've read most of Shakespeare's works, this one somehow eluded me. It wasn't until I heard about the movie adaptation that I felt compelled to give it a go.
My initial impression was overwhelming due to the multitude of characters, and even analyzing each one felt daunting. Particularly, when Pistol, Nym, and Bardolph, old comrades of Falstaff, appeared, I felt a bit overwhelmed. This part might require multiple readings to fully grasp. However, I decided to push through and focus on the central figure, Henry V, to be content with.
He didn't appear as frequently as I thought, but his presence was always felt strongly, perhaps due to the rousing songs praising Henry that opened each act. The play begins by setting up why England and France are inevitably at war. In the process of instigating the war, the greed of the clergy is depicted, and Henry V's handling of it with charisma, even in just a few lines, was astounding. It was mentioned that he had a keen interest in both war and literature, but his unwavering logic and reasoning were truly remarkable.
From there, Henry prepares for war against France, and it's here that the arrogance of the French nobility is subtly contrasted. The protagonist, Henry V, enjoyed the game of war but didn't actually like war, yet when he fought, he was portrayed as a cool-headed individual. Occasionally, he appeared arrogant yet humble at the same time.
The play leads the audience through the perspectives of both England and France, intertwining their narratives. Initially, the two factions converse with a tone of England being in danger and France easily mocking it. As the play unfolds, this is revealed to be the arrogance of France, while England is fired up, following King Henry's unwavering determination.
The highlight of 'Henry V' was undoubtedly the stirring speech by Henry V to boost the morale of his outnumbered soldiers just before the battle, particularly in Act 4, Scene 3, which seamlessly carried over from the council chamber, enhancing its effect. The title of Steven Spielberg's Band of Brothers is also derived from a line in this speech given by Henry V to rally his troops before the Battle of Agincourt:
"We few, we happy few, we band of brothers"
This speech revealed Henry's intention that, though the English army was vastly outnumbered compared to the French, if they were to fight and win, the honor and spoils of war would be exclusively theirs, leaving many Englishmen who did not participate in the battle envious. They say the outcome of war often hinges on morale, and while I've never experienced war myself, I know from sports competitions that the morale and motivation of teammates can significantly influence the result. The reason why leaders come forward and deliver rallying speeches to their subordinates or members of an organization before major events or gatherings is to boost morale. The same reason might evoke a sense of excitement in the audience when watching war films and hearing the commanding officers' speeches motivating soldiers before large-scale battles. Films like 'Braveheart' or 'The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King' come to mind.
The scene where the young king disguises himself at night, wanders around the camp to reassure the anxious soldiers, assesses how they truly feel about him, and agonizes over the moral responsibilities he must bear as a king, despite being just a human being, before delivering the speech, is truly moving.
One characteristic of this play is its episodic structure and the use of a chorus to provide unity. In each scene, Henry V exhibits various functions, showing different character traits, including a sense of justice and strictness, duty, personal interests, political acumen in judging human relationships, and outstanding military prowess. Shakespeare has long been known to idealize Henry V as an exemplary monarch.
Conclusion
After reading the book and becoming curious about the real historical figure of Henry V, I did a bit of research. What I felt while learning about the real Henry V from history was his presence as a leader. He achieved great feats in a short time, conquering the most beautiful courts in the world. He didn't flaunt his authority but instead thought of himself as being under God's sovereignty and put it into practice. He showed wisdom surpassing mere theory, based on his experiences with the most humble people in the world, and built up virtue and courage. As a king, he knew his role well, understanding the responsibility, love, and trust for his people better than anyone else.
Personally, I feel satisfied almost as if conquering the Shakespearean plays that had been lingering as unfinished tasks in my mind. Although I may not have fully understood and interpreted them, I take comfort in having read them at least once and adding my own reflections to them.
