Henry V is full of confusion and changing tides. The play opens up with the king Henry V who used to be the wild Prince Hal in Pt. 1 of Henry IV, but now he is a valiant and aggressive monarch who does what is “right” for his English nation. History goes back and forth between who should rightfully have the French crown: the English or the French? The English army also fluctuates between honorable men fighting a glorious war and those who are fearful and doubtful of the war’s necessity. Is this war glorious or exemplary of the horrors and ugliness of war? Both of these battles are fought and won with words. The play begins with Harry and the Bishop of Canterbury talking about if it is ethical to invade France and take the crown. Both of them are weary to make a decision, but the Bishop assures and convinces him that it is acceptable because of an old, flimsy Salic Law. However, Harry is still unsure. He asks: “May I with right and conscience make this claim?” (1.2.101-102). This hesitance from the king is very uncharacteristic of what we see from him in the rest of the events that play out. He appears to be easily swayed by his emotions, and he becomes sure of the need to take France after he is mocked by the tennis balls from the Dauphin. Emotional decisions burst rashly forth from him later on as well. England rushes off to battle after Henry makes his decision.
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When they go to battle there are many soldiers, and even captains, who are not fighting. The film version shows them (Nym, Bardolph, and Pistol) hiding behind some of the battlements and stone walls and complaining about their situation and where they would rather be before they are forced back into battle. “Would I were in an alehouse in London! I would give all my fame for a pot of ale, and safety” is voiced by an unnamed soldier (3.2.13-14). Both groups know that they should be fighting, but they would much rather be at home at the bars or talking about the war that is going on around them instead of risking their lives in it. This is fairly reasonable when considering that most of the soldiers were sick, scared, and starving with the poor conditions of being in the midst of a war. Most horrifyingly, they are surrounded on all sides by the much larger French army, but Henry V encourages them to break through and keep going. Henry appears to gain confidence in his glorious war of two worlds and warring words. At times, the confident attitude turned into monstrous behavior. There is the scene when Henry has the Governor of the town of Harfleur on his knees, and he threatens to attack the town, rape the virgin women, and kill all residents. However, in the next instant, out of ear-shot, his benevolence charges that “when lenity and cruelty play for a kingdom, the gentler gamester is the soonest winner” (3.6.109-116). The first declaration gives the audience a taste of the atrocities of war. Henry either was desperate for a victory, or he was using his mastery of oratory to take the town of Harfleur. He appears to be a benevolent king who knows how to sway the people to win his just war for God and for country. This image changes later
When they go to battle there are many soldiers, and even captains, who are not fighting. The film version shows them (Nym, Bardolph, and Pistol) hiding behind some of the battlements and stone walls and complaining about their situation and where they would rather be before they are forced back into battle. “Would I were in an alehouse in London! I would give all my fame for a pot of ale, and safety” is voiced by an unnamed soldier (3.2.13-14). Both groups know that they should be fighting, but they would much rather be at home at the bars or talking about the war that is going on around them instead of risking their lives in it. This is fairly reasonable when considering that most of the soldiers were sick, scared, and starving with the poor conditions of being in the midst of a war. Most horrifyingly, they are surrounded on all sides by the much larger French army, but Henry V encourages them to break through and keep going. Henry appears to gain confidence in his glorious war of two worlds and warring words. At times, the confident attitude turned into monstrous behavior. There is the scene when Henry has the Governor of the town of Harfleur on his knees, and he threatens to attack the town, rape the virgin women, and kill all residents. However, in the next instant, out of ear-shot, his benevolence charges that “when lenity and cruelty play for a kingdom, the gentler gamester is the soonest winner” (3.6.109-116). The first declaration gives the audience a taste of the atrocities of war. Henry either was desperate for a victory, or he was using his mastery of oratory to take the town of Harfleur. He appears to be a benevolent king who knows how to sway the people to win his just war for God and for country. This image changes later