Does Shakespeare successfully present Henry V Essay Example for Free

Does Shakespeare successfully present heat content V canvassMy interpretation of a hero is roundbody who is sincere and caring. They must be polite and well whilenered. individual who is strong and has a strong bequeath in a tough situation. A person who is heroic, fearless, brave bulge out and courageous all rolled into one. A person who isnt afraid to say what they believe in. They must be confident and determined to follow something through to the really(prenominal) end and to fight for what is theirs. A person who is a good speaker and can put their point across to an audience. They must be prepared to deliver sacrifices as part of their job.Although all of the above things are important attri alonees of a hero I ideate there are two more important attributes. The scratch line is to be loyal. To be loyal to your friends, family and expanse. Without consign custodyt there can never be trust. The second is the ability to change. To realise there is something w rong with you or your attitude and to do something near it. Ely and Canterbury talk about one of these attributes in Act one paroxysm one of the suffer. The ability to change. Shakespeare writes about one of the main attributes of a hero in the very foremost scene.When Canterbury looks back on the prospect of henry being a index he says that, The courses of his youth promised it not. Canterbury believes this because as a youth, His companies un allowtered, rude and shallow, His hours filled up with riots, banquets, sports, And never noted him any study. As henry grows senior though, never was much(prenominal) a sudden scholar made. hydrogen changes because he knew he had to. That takes determination and courage. No matter what anyone said he followed it through and did what he had to do.In the very first scene of the come across henry is already being talked about before we have even met him. Shakespeare has done this because he is better-looking Henry a real heros e ntrance, middling bid in any good film, he is recounting the audience who he is and what he does. Canterbury and Ely are setting the scene and trying to make his entrance attend melodramatic. Shakespeare does this to tell the audience that Henry is a well- spotn and well-talked about person. In other delivery Shakespeare is wake the audience that Henry is powerful.In Act one Scene two Henry is introduced to us for the first time. A first impression of him would be that he is very diplomatic and polite. Sure, we thank you. My learned lord, we request you to proceed. Later on in the scene though, when the French challenge him he does not bow it down. Henry is pondering whether to stake a claim to the French throne. When he is sent a mocking throw of, Tennis balls, my liege. He acts on his instincts and declares war on France. This is very brave because it leaves him open to criticism and it could turn out to be the wrong decision.In Act two Scene two Henry finds out that t hree of his lords, and friends, are traitors. He is upset by this, What shall I say to thee, Lord Scroop, thou cruel, Ingrateful, infuriated and inhu cosmos creature? Although they are his friends he knows that he must, Arrest them to answer to the law. They are his friends but akin any hero he must make sacrifices. Being a hero isnt just about fighting or being brave its also about debateing about and helping others. In Act three Scene one Shakespeare introduces Henry giving a moving vocabulary to his soldiers international the walls of Harfleur.Once more unto the breach, dear friends On, on you noble English Be copy now to men of grosser blood, And teach them how to war Cry God for Harry, England and Saint George Henry just doesnt go into battle and endure everybody to win. He knows how they must be feeling and he tries to encourage them. Henry also demonstrates that he is unstrained to do everything that his job entails. Shakespeare shows the audience another heroic q uality by, alternatively of sending one of Henrys soldiers to do something for him, he writes it so that Henry does it himself.This is shown in Act three Scene four when he says, How insofar resolves the governor of the town? This is the latest parle we will admit, Therefore to our best mercy give yourselves. Henrys strong words push the Governor of Harfleur to give in. As soon as Henry and his army are let into Harfleur he is present good initiative by already thinking about the next stage, Upon the soldiers, we will retire to Calais. Shakespeare shows the audience once again of Henrys heroism by showing us he can be polite and that he has good manners. How now, Llewellyn? Camest thou from the bridge? Although Henry is like a friend to his soldiers, just like a hero Shakespeare shows us that Henry must face up to his responsibilities. Bardolph has been caught stealing and he says, We would have all such offenders so cut off in our marches through the country there be nothing compelled from the villages. Even though things arent going as well as they should be Henry doesnt give up. In response to Montjoys offer for him to name his ransom he says, My army but a weak and sickly guard. Yet, God before, tell him we will come on Through France himself and such another neighbour stand in our way. Yet again in this extract of a speech Henry shows his strong beliefs in God. All of the above quotations came from Act three scene seven. Shakespeare makes the play very dramatic by using a chorus at the beginning of every act. These are very effective because it gives the audience a taster of what is going to happen but not enough to apologize the act fully. This means that the audience want to know what is going to happen and when something does happen it makes it all the more dramatic. In Act four Scene one Shakespeare presents us the audience, with Henrys many heroic qualities.Not showing any signs of worry or weariness he tries his best to raise the morale of his soldiers. There is some soul of goodness in things evil For our bad neighbour makes us early stirrers, Which is both orthomolecular and good husbandry. Henry also shows us like any hero or any person that he has feelings. He borrows a cloak and walks around the camp asking people what they think of him. King Then you are a better man than the king. Pistol the kings a bawock and a total of gold, a lad of conduct, an imp of fame, of parents good, of fist most valiant. Later on in an argument (while in disguise) with Bates Henry stresses, I think the king is but a man as I am. The violet smells to him as it doth to me. Shakespeare shows the audience that Henry has a different side to his personality, he is caring and understanding. Rather proclaim it, Westmorland, though my host That he which hath no stomach to this fight Let him depart. He then shows us that he isnt just all talk and that he is brave by saying, We few, we happy few, we band of brothers-For he instantly t hat sheds his blood with me Shall be my brother. Henry again refers back to his belief in God by saying, bugger off it, brave York. Now soldiers, march away, And how Thou pleasest, God, dispose the day. He shows us this in Act four Scene three. You know when someone is a real hero because another person compares him or her to an already famous hero. Shakespeare does this in Act four Scene seven when Llewellyn compares Henry to Alexander, If you mark Alexanders life well, Harry of Monmouths life is come after it in incident well. Later on Henry shows again that he does have feelings.All of the boys guarding the luggage have been killed, I was not angry since I came to France Until this instant. When Henry knows that they have won the battle he is not boastful this is another great attribute of a hero shown very clearly to the audience by Shakespeare. Instead he says, Praised be God, and not our strength, for it. He then shows that he is not afraid to show everybody his roots. I wear it for a memorable honour, For I am Welsh, you know, good countryman. Even though he is enjoying the moment of winning he has to get on with his job, Bring me just notice of the numbers dead On both our parts. Once again Henry refers to God, To boast of this, or to take that praise from God, Which is His only but with this acknowledgement, That God fought for us. During the battle Shakespeare uses another dramatic device by using very short scenes whilst everyone is fighting. This means that everything is constantly changing and the audience doesnt know what is going to happen next. It also builds up tension because Shakespeare is moving from one camp to the next. One beautiful you are in the French camp then the next you are in the English camp.after winning the battle Henry has to get back to his duties as king. Shakespeare shows the audience this side of Henry to show us that he is not just wrapped up in the glory of winning, he instead shows us that he is a true hero an d still will face up to his responsibilities. heartsease to this meeting, wherefor we are met. He then shows that a hero is just like any other man by trying to court the French kings daughter, Katherine. Fair Katherine if you will love me soundly with your French heart I will be glad to hear you confess it brokenly with your English tongueAn angel is like you And therefore tell me, most fair Katherine, will you have me? After agreeing the peace treaty Henry says, prepare we for our marriage The above quotations were taken from Act Five Scene Two. Overall I think Shakespeare has been very successful in presenting Henry as a hero. He is everything a hero could be. He has shown the audience that a hero could be sitting amongst them, that a hero is just an ordinary man or woman. The audience can relate to this because one day they themselves know that they could be a hero.I also think that the play was more effective in Elizabethan times than it is now. This is because when Shakespe are wrote this particular play Queen Elizabeth was coming to the end of a very successful rein and she had no one to acquire her. The Elizabethan community were very worried that there wouldnt be anybody as good to take over, curiously not a man. Shakespeare then wrote this play showing a truly heroic, male King. This raised the hopes of the Elizabethan people and made the play much more effective and much more popular.