Henry V Changing Tides

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 …show more content…
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