The representation of Henry V has been creatively re-shaped to address contemporary contexts, particularly reforming the universal concepts of leadership and war. Shakespeare’s original text constructs Henry’s persona to reflect the Elizabethan context, vitalising Henry’s suitability to the throne through his Machiavellian traits and patriotic attitude towards war. However, Branagh’s adaptation of the play following the Vietnam and Falklands War renders this character as humanised, thus pursuing an anti-war agenda. These distinct portrayals of Henry are identifiable through their emulation in both texts, as illustrated through language devices and film techniques.
Shakespeare examines the complex nature of leadership through the character …show more content…
Shakespeare’s representation of Henry V shaped war as patriotic and courageous, attributed primarily to the previous success of England in the Hundred Years’ War. In order to emphasise the triumph of nationalism war achieves, Shakespeare shaped Henry as a rousing and inspirational character preceding the Battle of Agincourt. Henry proclaims his outlook on war as he asserts, “But he’ll remember with advantages, what feats he did that day.” The effective foreshadowing incorporated by Shakespeare enabled Henry to project the fulfilment his troops would attain through partaking in such battle, thus communicating to his audience the significance of war in gaining such pride. Shakespeare continues to emphasise the patriotic sense of war through Henry by signifying the familial relationship formed as a result. As reflected in his speech, Henry proclaims, “We few, we happy few, we band of brothers.” Through the effective incorporation of emotive language and the rule of thirds, Shakespeare effectively reiterates the united brotherhood war enabled, thus persuading his troops and his audience implicitly to perceive war as an embodiment of pride and courage. These language devices utilised by Shakespeare in the St Crispin’s Day Speech portray his perception of war as patriotic, clearly an embodiment of the success granted during the Elizabethan
Shakespeare examines the complex nature of leadership through the character …show more content…
Shakespeare’s representation of Henry V shaped war as patriotic and courageous, attributed primarily to the previous success of England in the Hundred Years’ War. In order to emphasise the triumph of nationalism war achieves, Shakespeare shaped Henry as a rousing and inspirational character preceding the Battle of Agincourt. Henry proclaims his outlook on war as he asserts, “But he’ll remember with advantages, what feats he did that day.” The effective foreshadowing incorporated by Shakespeare enabled Henry to project the fulfilment his troops would attain through partaking in such battle, thus communicating to his audience the significance of war in gaining such pride. Shakespeare continues to emphasise the patriotic sense of war through Henry by signifying the familial relationship formed as a result. As reflected in his speech, Henry proclaims, “We few, we happy few, we band of brothers.” Through the effective incorporation of emotive language and the rule of thirds, Shakespeare effectively reiterates the united brotherhood war enabled, thus persuading his troops and his audience implicitly to perceive war as an embodiment of pride and courage. These language devices utilised by Shakespeare in the St Crispin’s Day Speech portray his perception of war as patriotic, clearly an embodiment of the success granted during the Elizabethan