The war of the roses was a series of civil wars between the House of York and the House of Lancaster for the throne of England. Both families were families of the House of Plantagenet, which was a royal house that originated from the lands of Anjou in France. The emblem of membership worn by the York’s war a white rose and a red rose for the Lancastrians in turn the war was named the war of the roses. In 1422 Henry VI became Kind of England and thank to his father’s (Henry V) war success he was also King of France. Though he was the son of Henry V, a good king, Henry VI was a weak ruler with little interest in politics and had little ambition. With this, his court was not well and throughout his realm the door was opened for power hungry…
Henry V by William Shakespeare is the fourth part of a serious that deals with the rise of the house of Lancaster. Henry V treats King Henry as a man who has grown up to be an adept king unwavering in determination to claim the French throne contrary to how he was portrayed as a reckless teenager in earlier plays. The play itself shows events between the battles of Agincourt a battle that was a major turning point in the hundred-year war. The play has since become synonymous to how audiences…
This chronicle of the third crusade is controversial, despite its accuracy and the many details it contains. There is indeed a dispute over who wrote it and when. Nonetheless, the depiction of Richard I in the text is absolutely laudatory. Richard is presented as the perfect knight, from the most noble birth, with a perfect complexion, outstanding military skills and a genuine piety. Next to this model of perfection, the French king, Philip II, is almost invisible. This chronicle is thus an…
The Early Middle Ages are commonly referred to by historians as the “Dark Ages”, due to several factors, including the lack of written documents that would reveal important details about the lives of people during this time, as well as the state of political unrest and civil uprising that was at play, because of the recent collapse of the Roman Empire in Western Europe. This was a time during which nations and alliances were constantly forming and shifting, resulting in many wars and battles.…
In Elizabeth Browning’s pleading letter to Napoleon III, Elizabeth uses many rhetorical devices in order to convince the Emperor of France to pardon Hugo. She flatters His Majesty Napoleon III in an attempt to win his goodwill. Second, she uses syntax in order to create an intelligent letter. Finally, she thoroughly explains her purposes to Napoleon. Thus using flattery, syntax, and logos, Browning was able to effectively persuade Napoleon III to pardon Hugo,had of course he sent the letter.…
During the seventeenth century in England, a great battle for power was taking place throughout the country. William Shakespeare captures this epic battle for power through his tragic play Macbeth. This play takes place in 11th century Scotland and is a story about a Thane called Macbeth, his rise to power and his fall. Throughout the play we see hints of whose fault it is for the actions and eventual downfall of Macbeth. Macbeth is responsible for the death of King Duncan and his fellow people…
At the beginning of the play, Sir Thomas More is described as a leader who lead others with great sincerity. For instance, More tries to direct Rich to become a better version of himself. A specific example is shown in page 7, when Rich bitterly responds “A teacher!” and More consequently replies to Rich’s reaction:“ A man should go where he won't be tempted.”. It is clear that Rich thinks very little of becoming a teacher because it is a low ranked job, but More, as an honest leader, realizes…
The Tragedy Of King Richard II Richard II is the initial play in the second history tetralogy of Shakespeare which was written around 1595. The play is among a sequence of four plays that chronicles the house of Lancaster’s rise to the throne in Britain (Hoenselaars, 2004). Richard II, a stately and regal figure rose to the throne as a young chap but is extravagant in his spending habits, detached from his own country and its common individuals, and is also not wise in choosing his counselors.…
In order to find honor, kings and warriors must trust one another. The king must trust the warrior to be able to fight off attackers and warriors must trust kings to know how to help the kingdom after their victories in battle. In Beowulfand I Henry IV, the two warriors, Beowulf and Hotspur, gain the trust of their kings in two different ways. Beowulf gains the trust of King Hrothgar by the traditional customs, while Hotspur does not. Without the help of the warrior, kings could not rule…
Rabkin starts his second chapter by summarizing that Shakespeare’s art includes a world whose principles are never in doubt, but it is never as simple as one expects. Henry V is another one of Shakespeare’s controversial plays. There have been many different ways of looking at the controversy, but Rabkin argues that they are all wrong. Rabkin states that “Shakespeare created a work whose ultimate power is precisely the fact that it points in two opposite directions” and ultimately, Shakespeare…