Henry VIII of England

During the build up to the 2016 Presidential election, the focus has been on the possibility of the first woman president of the United States of America. It is easy to forget or dismiss the impact that women have had throughout world history. From strong rulers to great thinkers history is filled with some of the most powerful and intelligent women who have defied all odds and surpassed the expected roles given to them by western civilization. Unfortunately, much of what we know about women…

and secure, when in reality his supreme authority is all in his head as he is ignorant of the populous turning against him. His most recent land seizing exploit is the last straw, angering the nobles and prompting Gaunt to brand him “Landlord of England are thou now, not king.” (2.1.113) Richard had strayed far enough away from the way his father had ruled before him, and now, even his only security of the belief in the divine right of kings would not be enough to keep his reign…

In the historical play Henry V, by William Shakespeare, we are introduced to the story of a young and mysterious King Henry V of England, and his quest to conquer France under the ruler ship of Charles VI of France. According to (“Henry V (play)”), it details Henry’s life leading up to and following the Battle of Agincourt in the year 1415. From the very beginning, the Chorus portrays Henry as a glorious King who is about to engage in an epic and glorifying battle with the French. However, the…

Showcased in their workshop presentation, discussion, and performance of Henry V, the American Shakespeare Company (ASC) demonstrate significant understanding and enthusiasm in their interpretations of the play; namely in the portrayal of Henry himself. ASC Co-founder and Artistic Director Jim Warren professes that “like all of Shakespeare’s major characters, Henry is not just one thing. He’s calculating and heroic; he’s patriotic and ruthless; and he gets the girl with one of Shakespeare’s most…

King Henry V’s rhetoric often relies on contrasting the noble class and class of commoners, which are seen, by Shakespeare, to not be as polarized as some would believe, because both contain universally human elements. Although King Henry’s speech to the traitors creates the clearest discussion of the upper and lower socio-political classes, the context for the speech is fundamental to properly understanding and analyzing it, as well as giving further evidence on its own. Specifically, before…

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…

I believe that Henry is an good king. He does have flaws but there is almost never a story that has one perfect character. Henry’s flaws are sometimes hard to find but sometimes easy to see. He clearly makes non-Christian threats to people and people groups. For example in Act 3 Scene 3 Henry is speaking to the governor and he threatens to kill their babies, and men. This is not a good representation of a Christian's motives. If a leader of a kingdom were to say or do something negative it…

interpretation of his words. In The Hollow Crown’s version of Henry V Tom Hiddleston breathes life into the long dead King Henry V. Juxtaposition is brilliantly used by director Thea Sharrock to contrast the French to the English, as well as emphasize the passion and turmoil that Henry V experiences. The pinnacle of the polarization between the King and the French is witnessed when comparing French Ambassador Montjoy’s first visit to King Henry V to his last visit, an effect created not only…

The Magna Carta is an English legal document written in 1215 CE which had a huge influence on the developing legal system of England(What is the Magna Carta). The Magna Carta had an effect on the rights of the people and the rights of the Church. These rights were a start to the beginning of the common rights of everyday citizens and a beginning to the separation of Church and State movement. The King also had to limit the power of the government to give rights to the people(Magna Carta). The…

In the historical play Henry V, by William Shakespeare, we are introduced to the story of a young and mysterious King Henry V of England, and his quest to conquer France under the ruler ship of Charles VI of France. According to (“Henry V (play)”), it details Henry’s life leading up to and following the Battle of Agincourt in the year 1415. From the very beginning, the Chorus portrays Henry as a glorious King who is about to engage in an epic and glorifying battle with the French. However, the…