Reigning over England in 1599 along with counsellors and ministers was Queen Elizabeth. Childless at the age of sixty-six, she governed the nation from London. In spite of the fact that her reign was clearly coming to an end she refused to choose a successor to take over her kingdom. Shakespeare was aware of who was part of his audience and knowing that Queen Elizabeth was very fond of theatre he attempted to entertain her but also, belonging to the English population himself, he too feared a civil war as a consequence to her apparent lack of concern about succession. Therefore he disguised his thoughts by using his plays in order to portray hypothetical consequences. Julius Caesar for instance, is mainly centred on the repercussions of the
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Calpurnia also represents the fear and the superstitious beliefs of the contemporary Elizabethan audience concerning the supernatural; in the Elizabethan Era people were very superstitious. Her dream is crucial to the development of the plot. She, along with her superstitious dream, could be seen as Caesar's salvation just like Princess Katherine in "Henry V”. Princess Katherine who's been designed to unite the kingdoms of France and England is easily associated with the idea of salvation; it is thanks to her that peace is established between the two kingdoms in conflict. As a matter of fact she agrees to marry Henry V only if it "sall please de roi mon père" which reflects the convenience of this marriage; she is used in order to end a war which proves that the marriage is neither emotional nor based on love. In addition to this, she also highlights the inferior position she placed in which easily reflects the position of women in Elizabethan Era. Henry V attempts to persuade her however whilst doing so he admits that "[he knows] no ways to mince it in love" which conveys his honest incapability of courting Princess Katherine. Modern audiences may comment about the contrast between the persuasive skills used with his soldiers and the lack of persuasion with Princess Katherine. This may reflect the importance Shakespeare once again gives to women due to the attendance of the Queen; Princess Katherine is the key character whose decision determines the end of a war and the beginning of a new kingdom but she also highlights Henry V's ineffectiveness whilst attempting to persuade
Calpurnia also represents the fear and the superstitious beliefs of the contemporary Elizabethan audience concerning the supernatural; in the Elizabethan Era people were very superstitious. Her dream is crucial to the development of the plot. She, along with her superstitious dream, could be seen as Caesar's salvation just like Princess Katherine in "Henry V”. Princess Katherine who's been designed to unite the kingdoms of France and England is easily associated with the idea of salvation; it is thanks to her that peace is established between the two kingdoms in conflict. As a matter of fact she agrees to marry Henry V only if it "sall please de roi mon père" which reflects the convenience of this marriage; she is used in order to end a war which proves that the marriage is neither emotional nor based on love. In addition to this, she also highlights the inferior position she placed in which easily reflects the position of women in Elizabethan Era. Henry V attempts to persuade her however whilst doing so he admits that "[he knows] no ways to mince it in love" which conveys his honest incapability of courting Princess Katherine. Modern audiences may comment about the contrast between the persuasive skills used with his soldiers and the lack of persuasion with Princess Katherine. This may reflect the importance Shakespeare once again gives to women due to the attendance of the Queen; Princess Katherine is the key character whose decision determines the end of a war and the beginning of a new kingdom but she also highlights Henry V's ineffectiveness whilst attempting to persuade