The characters of Henry V from Shakespeare’s play of said name and Gollum from Lord of the Rings by JRR Tolkien are two characters whose personalities tear apart due to gaining a power far greater than they could handle. Henry V is split into two duel factions: the ruthless soldier that will order his soldiers to commit atrocities in his name , and just leader who wants to spread mercy and justice throughout his kingdom of England. Similarly Smeagol, the former alias of Gollum, is torn between his past identity as a carefree hobbit and his rabid Gollum persona that is willing to do anything to get what he wants. While different in species and story, both characters show how power can turn one into a creature that will stop at nothing to do
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Henry, consumed with his new role as king, announces that he will declare war on France, despite there being no reason for doing so other than to claim the land as his own. Once the war with France begins, he makes numerous speeches dictating to his enemies how he will command that his troops murder, rape, and mutilate any innocent person they come across in the city. By saying the vulgar threats, he is demonstrating the power that having the crown of England possesses. He is both trying to impress and intimidate both his enemies and allies, and in doing so allows him a victory over the French. Similarly, the character of Smeagol becomes the character of Gollum to the influence of the ring of power and is willing to murder the hobbits if it means he gets what he wants. He already succeeded in murdering his own friend in the attainment of the ring of power and he is willing to do the same to the two hobbits who trust him. Gollum managed to deceive Frodo into believing that his friend Samwise Gamgee was trying to steal the ring from him. In the end he would achieve a bittersweet victory that leads to his own death. While Henry’s manages to control his evil side, Gollum lets it control him. Gollum’s villainous acts were all in his quest to garner the power he once had, while in contrast Henry’s were due to the power he now
Henry, consumed with his new role as king, announces that he will declare war on France, despite there being no reason for doing so other than to claim the land as his own. Once the war with France begins, he makes numerous speeches dictating to his enemies how he will command that his troops murder, rape, and mutilate any innocent person they come across in the city. By saying the vulgar threats, he is demonstrating the power that having the crown of England possesses. He is both trying to impress and intimidate both his enemies and allies, and in doing so allows him a victory over the French. Similarly, the character of Smeagol becomes the character of Gollum to the influence of the ring of power and is willing to murder the hobbits if it means he gets what he wants. He already succeeded in murdering his own friend in the attainment of the ring of power and he is willing to do the same to the two hobbits who trust him. Gollum managed to deceive Frodo into believing that his friend Samwise Gamgee was trying to steal the ring from him. In the end he would achieve a bittersweet victory that leads to his own death. While Henry’s manages to control his evil side, Gollum lets it control him. Gollum’s villainous acts were all in his quest to garner the power he once had, while in contrast Henry’s were due to the power he now