Those who seek power and obtain it through unjust means often develop paranoia, which leads them to manipulate political situations in order to maintain that power. This idea is conveyed in act 1 scene 3 when Hotspur talks to King Henry about Mortimers capture. Shakespeare represents King Henry …show more content…
Shakespeare illustrates King Henry’s developing anxiety through the use of religious allusion in ”To chase pagans in those holy field/Over whose acres walked those blessed feet/which fourteen hundred years ago were nailed/ for our advantage on the bitter cross” The reference to Jesus and the Holy Land shows us that King Henry is trying to repent for the sins he committed against God when he usurped King Richard. Using his power King Henry manipulates the situation so that his followers believe that the crusade is for the greater good of England and not for his personal repentance. The religious allusion of Jesus in “which fourteen hundred years ago were nailed/ for our advantage on the bitter cross” is shakespeare representation of the infighting between the protestant and catholic faction of England in the Elizabethan Era. In addition shakespeare representation of the crusades in the play is his claim that an attack from the Spanish Armada was imminent. This is reinforced in act 1 scene 3 when King Henry is talking to Blunt about Mortimers ransom. Shakespeare personifies King Henry’s need to maintain control of the situation through rhetorical questions in “Shall our coffers/ then be emptied to redeem a traitor home?/ Shall we by treason an indent with fears/” This reveals to the audience that because of King Henry 's paranoia he needs to ask constant questions to assure himself that his followers are still loyal to him furthermore the rhetorical questions in “Shall our coffers/ then be emptied to redeem a traitor home?” serves the purpose of manipulating blunt into thinking that Mortimer is a traitorous coward. Shakespeare 's use of intimidating tone, religious allusion and rhetorical questions shows how paranoia leads individuals to manipulate politician situations in order to maintain control over power and leadership