Henry V

Falstaff has been an audience favorite ever since the release of Henry IV Part I. This hyperbolical character lightens up the solemn undertone of this English History play with his humorous ways. At the final part of the play, his comical nature helps him gain the sympathy of all but Prince Harry, whom he shares a seemingly genuine friendship with. Shakespeare reveals the lack of sincerity in Hal and Falstaff’s friendship through two major literary devices: metaphor and meter, along with other…

Henry V It is always a fear amongst the people, when a new king comes to the throne, whether he will be good and just or greedy and cruel. Imagine the kingdom in waiting as the new king was put to the throne. The kingdom knew it would be the next in line but what was he like? Would he be kind? Would he be a good king? The people needed a king who will care for the concerns and welfare of the kingdom. And to their happiness, Henry the V did just that. Being a young king, his life was still…

Of Crowns and Rings 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 are torn 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…

(followers of John). King Richard II of England married Isabella of France (daughter of King Charles VI) in 1396. As a result of the marriage, a twenty-eight year truce was agreed on, but was not followed through. In 1399, Richard II was overthrown by Henry Bolingbroke (John of Gaunt’s son) who began the Lancastrian dynasty. Charles VII was born as the third son to Charles VI of France in 1403. The assassination of Duke Louis by Duke John of Burgundy caused more friction between the two houses.…

Short Argument 1: Disproving Knightly Virtues The early centuries were a time when chivalry and courtesy were highly valued among men, as seen in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. Lord Bertilak is a man who wants to disprove the knightly virtues through tests and games. This alliterative poem points out the scandals in a knight’s reputation. As the poem begins with a green knight entering King Arthur’s feast with a challenge, he states “where’s the fortitude and fearlessness you’re so famous for…

(Encyclopedia Britannica, n.d; Newworldencyclopedia.org, 2013) His reign begun at the age of 11 with the death of father, King Charles V in 1380, and ended with his own death in 1422 for a total of 42 years. (Encyclopedia Britannica, n.d) Due to the age of Charles VI being below the required age for independent rulership, his uncle, Philip the Bold was appointed regent, along with the…

state, other than place themselves in harm’s way, as without them, no state exists. King Henry IV fascinated Shakespeare; the author tells the man’s achievements over the course…

Edward II in 1377, and Charles V in 1380 (133). The French started preparations for an invasion of England in 1386, but stopped when the the English won in the battle of Margate in 1387 (133). Another truce took…

characters of all is Falstaff in the The First Part of King Henry the Fourth (Henry IV). The essential reason Falstaff is timeless and able to continuously resonate with people is because of the presumed idea that he is a fool. Before this idea that Falstaff is indeed a fool, it is necessary to constitute the classifications precisely. The definition of a fool is "a silly or stupid person; a person who lacks judgment or sense" (Ammer). From the play Henry IV, Falstaff could be deemed many…

portraying these political representations. However ambiguous the political motive may be, control is the ultimate goal in the world of politics. Contrary to popular belief, not all acts of manipulation are inherently immoral. The exploration of King Henry IV, Part One (1596-1597), the second historical play of the Henriad, by William Shakespeare, will facilitate…