Henry V Paper

“The Heroism and Chivalry of Henry V Proven in William Shakespeare’s Notable Play of the Same Name.’’

     Joshua Dotson

     Professor Rice

     English 333: Shakespeare

     October 6, 2023

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     Henry V by William Shakespeare is among his most respected historical plays. The king's speech before the battle of Agincourt, “We few, we happy few, we band of brothers (Shakespeare, 4.3.62),” is among one of the most cited speeches in military history. The work, split into five acts, continues the story of Prince Hal in Henry IV Parts One and Two. Now, though, Hal, also known as Henry V, is nobler than ever. As the Hundred Years’ War loomed between France and England, the king was convinced by the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Bishop of Ely that he should lead an army to conquer France. When chance bid him an opportunity to invade this southern kingdom, he led England's forces against the mightier and more pompous French army. Vastly outnumbered at Agincourt, Henry stirred his men to loyalty with Shakespeare's beloved speech. Once the battle began, the king led the English to one of the most famous Medieval victories. Henry V, a true protagonist of Shakespeare's play, demonstrates his strong character in many ways. The heroism and chivalry of Henry V are proven by his wisdom concerning justice, his siege of Harfleur, consistent bravery at Agincourt, personal Christian virtues, persistence to Calais, and his courtship of Princess Katherine. 

          Henry V's portrayal of The Hundred Years' War begins almost immediately at proving the king's chivalry. As an English knight and foot soldier in France, he led his kingdom's armies in siege against the French city of Harfleur. His army was not gathered from professional knights—it rose mostly from more middle-class fighters which is why Medieval historian Anne Curry wrote in her history of the Hundred Years’ War of Henry’s forces, “Even more notable were the many esquires and yeoman who indented in person with a handful of archers (Curry, 58).’’ Additionally, concerning the historical background to Shakespeare’s play, Medieval historian Christopher Almand notes, “The indentures of 1415 also underline Henry’s determination to capture Harfleur, whatever the effort might take (Almand, 211).’’ Eventually triumphant over the city that his men sieged, the king spoke to the surrendered governor as follows, “How yet resolve the governor of the town? This is the latest parle that we will admit. Therefore to our best mercy give yourselves Or, like to men proud of destruction, Defy us to our worst. For, as I am a soldier, A name that in my thoughts becomes me best, I will not leave the half-achieved Harfleur Till in her ashes she lie buried (Shakespeare,3.3..1-9).” After the governor of the city replies obediently to the king's commands, Henry quickly affirms, “Open your gates (Shakespeare, 3.3.51),” without hesitation. Before his siege, the king had received golf balls from the Dauphin of France. Now, however, the king upholds the honor of his dominion and beloved country in having marched into France for the beginning of a four-year war. While Henry V successfully takes Harfleur, nevertheless, his most memorable acts of courage will be demonstrated at a place called “Agincourt.” 

          While being heroic in several notable battles against the French prior, Henry's courage and bravery, along with his ability to command an English army, were all tested near the French castle known as “Agincourt.” During the battle that commenced, Henry would lead his army, though outnumbered five to one, to victory over the arrogant French cavalry. Protected behind a wall of wooden stakes, the English forces made extensive use of the successful longbow that had blessed their courage at the Battle of Crecy in 1346---during which, they were able to weaken the French lines from afar. Likewise, the new English army at Agincourt used this tactic again to their advantage against a much larger and less-worn opposing force. But the English victory at Agincourt in Shakespeare's play must be attributed to more than the longbow. Having marched for miles and many days in the rain, Henry inspired energy within his tired, English soldiers with his powerful and iconic words, ''We few, we happy few, we band of brothers (Shakespeare, 4.3.62).'' Indeed, Henry's famous speech to his men before the famous battle resonated so successfully because he connected with his troops. In saying “We band of brothers (Shakespeare, 4.3.62),” the king understood himself to be one of his men. On the other hand, had the king bragged of his divine right to rule or had he displayed pride about his birth, his men would have been more hesitant to side with him on the battlefield, but Henry did none of those things. Rather, he gathered all the English troops initially by invoking the names of the lands that they lorded, “Gloucester, Salisbury...(Shakespeare, 4.3.56).” Secondly, he previously united them under his crown by invoking a sense of English pride as they began a siege of Harfleur before coming to Agincourt “Cry ‘God for Harry, England, and Saint George!’ ” By referring to England's patron saint, Saint George, Shakespeare evidences that the king was able to muster all of them to his coming cause. Interestingly enough, the king's heroism at Agincourt reflects a different aspect of his character; that is, his humility drove his bravery. The once Prince Hal of Henry IV is no longer considering solely himself. Indeed, he takes the lives and potential deaths of all his men into serious consideration as they face hell in the muddy rain. Had the king stood aside and not fought alongside his men, and had he thought himself too worthy to endure their many trials, the results of the battle would have been quite different. Even after Agincourt, however, his persistence to conquer remained, despite an ongoing war that would aid him in his march of Calais. His perseverance ultimately stemmed from his Christian character. 

     The king's Christian virtues are clearly manifested throughout the entirety of Henry V. The English monarch was, in many ways, a product of the thought of his time---a reality that Shakespeare would have known. Concerning Medieval Christianity, Ecclesiastical Historian Kevin Madigan wrote, “The church not only formed the institutional framework within which one lived but one’s life (Madigan, xviii).’’ Likewise, the same church that influenced the masses, also affected the life of King Henry the Fifth as evidenced by when he invoked God's aid before the battle of Agincourt “…You know your places. God be with all… (Shakespeare, 4.3.80).” However, Henry's commitment to the Christian faith is deeper than his insistence on God's help when pressed into dire situations. To him, Christianity is reflected in chivalrous behavior towards all, including his commitment to justice. When Bardolph is punished for desertion, the king speaks as follows, “We should have all such offenders so cut off, and we give express charge that in our marches through the country there be nothing compelled from the villages... (Shakespeare, 3.3.96-98).” While Bardolph's execution may seem harsh to many today, for a world in which capital punishment is controversial, this was a typical medieval sentence for such crimes. The deserted soldier was not the only person to face such justice from the king. For instance, the king also called for the execution of many French prisoners. As English literature scholar John Sutherland notes, “Returning to the big picture, how is it that there remain living this huge number of captives? Fifteen hundred is the size of a small army. These French prisoners surely did not surrender after Henry gave his ‘kill them all’ command.’’ No, indeed, whether it be his own men breaking the laws of England or his enemies, guarding prisoners in a war march would have been detrimental to the English army and slowed their pace in the conflict. Furthermore, Henry’s holding Bardolph accountable reflects his serious oath to the office of king: to ensure the survival of justice in an unjust world. Certainly, all of these values flow from the monarch’s Christianity, “...for he beareth not the sword in vain... (King James Bible, 1611, Romans 13: 4).” No doubt, at the heart of Henry's chivalry was his belief in God and the Catholic faith which he endorsed. At the end of Act Four during which the English have captured the city of Calais from the French, Henry reflects upon his deep Catholic faith, “Do we all holy rites. Let there be sung Non nobis and Te Deum, the dead with charity enclosed in clay, And then to Calais, and to England then, Where ne'er from France arrived more happy men (Shakespeare, 4.8.115-119).”

    Though less often performed in the play, Henry V's remarkable arrival at the city of Calais is implied. As the king says to Montjoy, the royal messenger of France, “Thou dost thy office fairly. Turn thee back, And tell thy king I do not seek him no But could be willing to march on to Calais...(Shakespeare, 3.3.126-128).” Interestingly enough, Shakespeare's work does not show that Henry went back to England to celebrate his victory after Agincourt first, however. Yet as he returned to France, Henry pressed onto Calais with his persistence to win the war. Perhaps Henry's greatest act of valor here, nevertheless, was not in his recent victories over the French, but rather his patience, which was willing to extend until all of France was his to rule. By the time the English army had arrived at Calais, they had fought for roughly four years against the French. Imagine had Henry withdrawn after his satisfactory victory at Agincourt, and simply compromised with the French! Both history and the play would have ended very differently, indeed. Imagine, also, the admiration Shakespeare had for King Henry as evidenced so often throughout this early modern work.
     While Agincourt was a noble victory in the field of battle, it did not secure the English authority over France. No, indeed, Henry expected a long conflict at Calais and beyond, and then another long march onto Paris to take Princess Katherine as his wife---a prize that would also secure him of all of France. His meeting with Princess Katherine would take place simultaneously with the 1420 Treaty of Troyes, signed by King Charles VI, Katherine's father. The whole affair of peace is summarized by military historian Edouard Perroy, “Whereas the Treaty of Calais had allayed the feudal quarrel by the creation of an Aquitaine outside of French control, the Treaty of Troyes settled the dynastic conflict by making Henry V heir to the throne of France (Perroy, 243).’’

     While Henry's accomplishments on the battlefield are memorable and heroic, his courtship of Princess Katherine also reflects his chivalrous personality. When speaking to her, Prince ''Harry'' exercises a great sense of nobility and care for her person. Indeed, the king was not simply interested in wedding her, but desired her affection mutually. Indeed, the king, upon conquest of France, could have easily demanded the fealty of all the French, including the princess herself. However, he desires more. Subsequently, Henry rushes to see Katherine's capacity to love him, longing for their potential happiness. His words to the princess reflect his sweet and humble disposition, “If thou canst love a fellow of this temper, Kate, whose face is not worth sunburning, that never looks in his glass for love of anything he sees there, let thine eye by thine cook. I speak to thee plan solider. If thou canst love me for this, take me. (Shakespeare, 5.2.142-146).” Perhaps surprisingly, his courtship of the French damsel reveals his vulnerability, a vulnerability that she could consequently choose to reject. When he says, “By mine honor, in true English, I love thee, Kate. By which honor I dare not swear thou lovest me, yet my blood begins to flatter me that thou dost, notwithstanding the poor and untempering effect my visage (Shakespeare, 5.2.208-212).” Likewise, Harry's earnest plea that she learn to love him, demonstrates his lack of selfish motives: “Put off your maiden blushes, avouch the thoughts of your heart...(Shakespeare, 5.2.221-222).” Henry's chivalry towards Katherine is also exemplified when he woos her in a private room, where only a lady in waiting accompanies her. His gentleness in speech and genuine concern for her happiness also reveal his sense of honor. Finally, his character is one worthy of emulation for the fact that he behaves honorably, even when not discharged to war, or when in front of hundreds to see his good deeds. 

     He also rightly believed that a healthy marriage is not tyrannical, “You have witchcraft in your lips. There is more eloquence in a sugar touch of them than in the tongues of a French council, and they should sooner persuade Harry of England than a general petition of monarchs (Shakespeare, 5.2.251-260).” In the end, Henry feels persuaded by Katherine, and longs for her council more than that of his fellow lords. To him, a right marriage sees both husband and wife in service to one another. Henry's chivalry towards Katherine is also exemplified while he woos her in a private room where only a lady in waiting stands beside her. His gentleness in his speech and his genuine concern for her happiness also displays his sense of honor. Finally, his character is one of esteem by the fact that he behaves honorably even when not discharged to war or when in front of hundreds to see his good deeds. 

     Much more could be said about the character of Henry V in Shakespeare's immortal, early-modern play based on the historical events of the late Medieval world. However, let all further arguments concerning claims of Henry's alleged lack of chivalry be put to rest. Shakespeare portrayed the English king as heroically as did Medieval literature concerning King Arthur. As Medieval Studies Scholar, Norman F. Cantor has said, “Despite Henry V’s (1387-1422) premature death at the age of 35 after have reigned for only nine years, his strong personality and military successes in France made him one of the beloved kings of medieval England (Cantor, 219).’’ For certain, it is no surprise that this work has been also beloved by British people ever since. 

     In conclusion, the play Henry V will forever be remembered as one of Shakespeare's greatest literary pieces, especially in terms of the playwright’s works concerning historical wars. Of all of Shakespeare's plays on the English monarchs, Henry V is arguably his most inspiring. Indeed, the 1944 film adaption of Henry V starring Lawrence Olivier as the English king, which boasts impressively painted backgrounds reminiscent of Medieval and Renaissance Art, inspired many British men to fight for their country in the Second World War. Likewise, the later 1989 screen adaptation of Kenneth Branagh immortalized the king's speech before the Battle of Agincourt and demonstrated the cruelty of war that the earlier film had not evidenced. Whatever chivalry had declined in England between the reigns of Richard II and Henry IV, returned under him. While Henry's character has been criticized in recent years by some historians for his supposed violence, his acts in the war were no worse than those of his time. Indeed, Shakespeare understood him as the ideal English hero and Christian king. Lastly, the chivalry idealized in Henry V remains an inspiration for readers five hundred years after the play was composed.

                                                            

 

 

 

 

 

                                                        





                                                                Works Cited:
King James Bible. (1611). Cambridge University Press.

Almond, Christopher. Henry V. (1992). The University of California Press Berkeley and Los Angeles.

Cantor, Norman. F. The Encyclopedia of The Middle Ages. (1999). Viking.

Curry, Anne. The Hundred Years’ War: 1337-1453. (2002). Osprey Publishing Ltd.

Madigan, Kevin. Medieval Christianity: A New History. (2015). Yale University Press.

Shakespeare, William. No Fear Shakespeare: Henry V. (2004). SparkNotes Publishing. 

Sutherland, John. and Watts, Cedric. Henry V, War Criminal? & Other Shakespeare Puzzles. (2000). Oxford University Press.

Perroy, Edouard. The Hundred Years War.