Literature Analysis #4: Henry V

General

1.  The plot of Henry V is quite simple.  King Henry IV has died and his son Henry V now takes rule over all of England.  Henry V has a very shady past involving relationships with many criminals.  The prince of France sends Henry V a very disturbing message ridiculing the new king.  Henry V decides immediately to declare war on France, gathering many troops to fight in the sudden war.  Even though many times outnumbered, the English army eventually becomes victorious aided by the passionate speeches given by the king.  After his victory, the king decides to marry the daughter of the king of France.  Henry's son will become the new king of France and the two kingdoms will finally exist in peace.

2.  I believe the theme of the novel represents what true leadership can accomplish.  Henry V is given the command to one of the most powerful kingdoms of the world quite suddenly, however without hesitation he takes control of his new leadership duty.  Many times throughout the play his army is heavily outnumbered, often doomed without any hope.  By Henry V motivating speeches, the army ignites in a swirl of passion and pride, reflecting the bold and brilliant actions of the new king.

3.  The tone generates a sense of power and strength that the author portrays when describing the main character.   "When he speaks, The air, a chartered libertine, is still."  This quote represents a perfect example of how the author recognizes the fact that the main character demands great respect.  "I see you stand like greyhounds in the slips, Straining upon the start. The game's afoot: Follow your spirit; and, upon this charge
Cry 'God for Harry! England and Saint George!'"  Once again when the main character speaks the tone without a second thought stands for strength and honor.  "Give them great meals of beef and iron and steel, they will eat like wolves and fight like devils."  Although not very relative or important to the play itself, this quote speaks to the readers and allows them to grasp the importance of that single moment because of Shakespeare's use of dramatic imagery.

4.  
Imagery- "And make your chronicle as rich with praiseAs is the owse and bottom of the sea
With sunken wrack and sumless treasuries."  This quote reveals the extent Shakespeare went to in order to reveal a level of imagery that truly intrigued the reader.
Analogy- "When we have matched our rackets to these balls,We will in France, by God's grace, play a set Shall strike his father's crown into the hazard."  From this the reader is able to understand the idea that Shakespeare is trying to compare the dispute with France with a game that includes rackets and balls.
Imagery- "Now all the youth of England are on fire, And silken dalliance in the wardrobe lies."  Again I use imagery in order to stress the idea that Shakespeare truly wanted the reader to understand just how upset the commoners of England were.
Simile- "As cold as any stone."  Shakespeare uses this simile in order to compare one of the main characters personalities to that of a stone.
Simile- "Give them great meals of beef and iron and steel, they will eat like wolves and fight like devils."  Again Shakespeare uses a creative simile in order to reveal what his soldiers would do if they were given adequate meal.

Characterization

1.  "His nose was as sharp as a pen, and a’ babbled of green fields."  This I believe is the most obvious direct characterization quote I found throughout the entire play.  It is obvious that Shakespeare is merely describing the physical characteristics of Henry V.  "I think the king is but a man, as I am: the violet smells to him as it doth to me."  Although at first glance this quote might appear to be a direct characterization, after deeper analysis I found it to be a great example of indirect characterization.  The character making this observation believes that the king is a man like any other, who smells flowers like any other man does.  "Upon the king! let us our lives, our souls, Our debts, our careful wives, Our children, and our sins lay on the king!"  Again Shakespeare utilizes indirect characterization in order to reveal the influence the new king had on his subjects and how they trusted him with there very lives.  "When he speaks, the air, a chartered libertine, is still."  I use this quote again because of the direct characterization that can be tied along with it.  Shakespeare simply states the strength that Henry V exerts when he speaks.

2.  Similar to that of the theme when the author begins to portray the main character, both his syntax and diction exemplify a strong and well-to-do character.   "Upon the king! let us our lives, our souls,
Our debts, our careful wives, Our children, and our sins lay on the king!"  After examining this quote and others of similar form, it is simple to apply the idea that the syntax and diction do not change when the author begins to focus on a description of the main character, instead the description merely reflects the overwhelming tone of the entire play. 

3.   I believe Henry V is quite the dynamic character.  When he does not assume the throne of England his ways of acting or anything but princely.  He makes contact with felons and those deemed different from the rest of society.  However after his father's sudden death, he takes the reins of England and seeks justice after a mocking letter from the prince of France.  Without a second thought Henry V gathers an army and attacks the French.  Although greatly outnumbered, Henry motivates his troops with brilliant speeches, exhibiting his true leadership abilities.  I also believe the main character is flat.  I believe that he had the confidence of a true leader but shadowed by his own father.  Therefore he had always had the strength, but just was never given the chance.

4.  I felt as though after reading this play I came away feeling as if I had met a person.  Henry V is a character that I now look up to and want to very much replicate.  I am in a very stressful leadership position at school so I feel as if I can relate to the integrity a leader must have, like Henry V, to overcome the many obstacles that come into play during one's leadership role.  "Every subject's duty is the king's; but every subject's soul is his own."  This quote is quite relevant in my leadership role that I take on in that you have to convince those who follow not only to do the work they are delegated to do, but develop ideas of their own rather than becoming true sycophants.  It is for this reason that Henry V is a character that I felt that I have already met and really hope to continue the relationship.