Shakespeare wrote Henry V in 1599, at the time of Queen Elizabeths reign Essay Example For Students

Shakespeare wrote Henry V in 1599, at the time of Queen Elizabeths reign Essay Shakespeare wrote Henry V in 1599, at the time of Queen Elizabeths reign. Shakespeare tried to portray the monarchy as important and noble people. He did this so that the queen would think well of him as at that time the actors and the use of the theatres would have been financed by important people. At that time there was no one more important that the monarch. The play portrays the war between England and France and Henrys campaign to gain control of France, which was believed to be rightfully his. The play starts by showing Henry in his youthful state. He had no morals and didnt take kingship seriously. Then as a reformed man who, after being mocked by the dauphin, sought the blessing of the archbishop over his plans to declare war on France. When he received that blessing he embarked upon planning his attack on France to claim the throne which he believed he was the heir to. This is the idea, which the whole play is centred upon. Henry is shown as the true English man, patriotic, honourable and one who leads by example. He is shown to have all the good qualities a king should have. He encourages his men into what most people would see as an impossible task but by his words and actions persuades his men to defend Englands honour. This is shown in his speech act 4, scene 3 beginning line 18. If to live, the fewer men, the greater the share of honour. Act 4, scene 3, line 22 In the play several metaphors are used but the one used most frequently is comparing war to a game. For example the gift from the dauphin of a tennis ball and the kings speech which follows. When we have matched our rackets to these balls We will in France, by Gods grace, play a set Shall strike his fathers crown, into the hazard. Act 1, Scene 2, lines 261-263 Such metaphors continue throughout and not only is war compared with tennis but also dice. The confident and over lusty French Do the low rated English play at dice Act 4, Chorus, lines 17-18 The play shows the different aspects of war. It shows it as a very noble and dignified event, but in other scenes as a devastating unstoppable force. In the first chorus Henry is portrayed as a war-like god figure. Then should he the warlike Harry Henry appears like himself. Assume the port of Mars, and at his heels Leashed in, like hounds should famine, sword and fire Crouch for employment. Prologue, chorus, lines 5-8 Later on however Henry shows the realities of war the less attractive and enticing part when he reads the long and extensive list of casualties. This note doth tell me of ten thousand dead That in this field lie slainà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ Here was a royal fellowship of death! Act 4, scene 8, lines 77-99 Another metaphor occasionally used throughout the play is comparing war to the extremes of weather conditions. For example war is said to be arriving like thunder, shaking the earth like an earthquake. The not so noble aspects of battle are never far from the plays main story or from any of the characters thoughts. The horror of war is one of the main portrayals of war. Shakespeare does show many of the different aspects but the main two in my opinion are the nobility and the complete opposite, the destructiveness and suffering. The English throughout usually are shown as faultless, but as with most rules theres an exception. There is the time when the three traitors are found and handed what is presumed to be their death warrants. .ude500c53084deebd2e0f88625e35c2a4 , .ude500c53084deebd2e0f88625e35c2a4 .postImageUrl , .ude500c53084deebd2e0f88625e35c2a4 .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .ude500c53084deebd2e0f88625e35c2a4 , .ude500c53084deebd2e0f88625e35c2a4:hover , .ude500c53084deebd2e0f88625e35c2a4:visited , .ude500c53084deebd2e0f88625e35c2a4:active { border:0!important; } .ude500c53084deebd2e0f88625e35c2a4 .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .ude500c53084deebd2e0f88625e35c2a4 { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .ude500c53084deebd2e0f88625e35c2a4:active , .ude500c53084deebd2e0f88625e35c2a4:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .ude500c53084deebd2e0f88625e35c2a4 .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .ude500c53084deebd2e0f88625e35c2a4 .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .ude500c53084deebd2e0f88625e35c2a4 .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .ude500c53084deebd2e0f88625e35c2a4 .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .ude500c53084deebd2e0f88625e35c2a4:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .ude500c53084deebd2e0f88625e35c2a4 .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .ude500c53084deebd2e0f88625e35c2a4 .ude500c53084deebd2e0f88625e35c2a4-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .ude500c53084deebd2e0f88625e35c2a4:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: Lewis Corp 6-2 EssayWhy, what read you there That have so cowarded and chasd your blood Out of appearance? Act 2, scene 2, lines 74-76 The second such exception is in Harfleur when Bardolph broke the rules set act 3, scene 4, lines 51-58 by Henry stating that no man should take advantage of his situation. Fortune is Bardolphs foe, and frowns on him; For he hath stoln a pax, and hanged must a be a damned death! Let gallows gape for dog. Despite these circumstances Henry still manages to overcome the French in an incredible battle and the French are disgraced and defeated. Reproach and everlasting shame Sit mocking in our plumesà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ Act 4, Scene 5, lines 9-10 Despite this victory, Henry has no prisoners. As the French slaughtered all of the English luggage boys, Henry ordered all of the prisoners to be put to death. The French have reinforced their scatter men. Then every soldier kill his prisoners. Give the word through Act 4, scene 6,lines 36-38 After the battle has drawn to a close, the Duke of Burgundy tells us of the effects of the war on France. Ruined crops and lives, ways of peace lost and lost countryside. Because of these effects on France he pleads for a lasting peace treaty. The treaty is formed when both sides meet at the palace at Troyes. In my opinion Shakespeare very accurately describes and portrays war. He shows us both the good and the bad sides of war and what each of these can do to a person. On the one hand are those whose character is not strong enough to survive, the people for whom the pressure was too much and who turned to war crimes. On the other hand there are those who withstood the mental torment of battle. It portrays war as a fight for the countrys honour and a demonstration of its power, it also shows the nobility and the other, more devastating effects on the soldiers. At the closing of the Previous  play there is a glimpse of hope that the peace will last but in the final chorus it states that the peace wasnt as long lived as people hoped. The French regained France in Henrys sons reign.