To "End the Conflict" on War

A Little History

In the 1590’s, England was on her toes. She had just won the battle against Spain’s Armada (with weather’s help), but Spain was still furious. In 1596 King Phillip of Spain promised Spain would strike again. “The overpowering fear of invasion reached its apogee in 1599, the very year, according to general scholarly consensus, that Shakespeare penned Henry V.”¹

Analysis on War

You don’t have to be a scholar to know Shakespeare is sending messages about war, but what is it he is telling his English audience in the early 1600’s? Depending on which side is looked at, critics have argued that Henry V is a genuine war hero while others feel Shakespeare painted the ironic image of a “Christian King” who served as a tyrant and an unmerciful ruler.²

Text to Configure the Conflict

In my posts I have discussed possible reasons for war, the glory of war, and the outcomes of war portrayed in Henry V. To tie these together and answer the question from the latter post “War... what is it good for?” I want to discuss Shakespeare’s use of Christianity in his text to show God fought for England and condoned the war.

Henry V “We are in God’s hand, brother, not in theirs.” Line 1637

Earl of Salisbury “If we no more meet till we meet in heaven.” Line 2238

Henry V “Praised be God, and not our strength, for it!” Line 2609

Fluellen “Is it not lawful, an please your majesty, to tell how many is killed?”

Henry V “Yes, captain; but with this acknowledgement,

That God fought for us.” Lines 2827-2830

Chorus “Being free from vainness and self-gloirous pride;

Giving full trophy, signal and ostent

Quite from himself to God….” Lines 2867-2869

This tone in the play suggests that it is God’s will that England fight the war.

Recall the time period. People were scared of Spain’s attack. They needed a boost, a different vision, and Shakespeare struck their hearts saying, “God is with us!”

Kenneth Branagh’s Adaptation

Of course, looking at the play from another angle produces another critique. Kenneth Branagh’s film from 1989 emphasizes the horrors of war and downplays justifiable reasons for it.

In the beginning, King Henry is given tennis balls from France to pay for the lands they feel are rightfully owned by France. It is over this that Branagh makes it seem King Henry goes to war. The king’s pride is overpowering and “will not be mocked.” As I discussed in a former post, Branagh portrays colorful blood scenes, directs the loss of “Boy” to be horrific with hysterical women trying to touch the dead body, and paints Henry V slightly irrational as he executes past friends with memories of the past flashing before his mind. By no means is he as irrational as King Leontes from Winter's Tale, but nonetheless, there is no mercy or second chances.

From Branagh’s adaptation, it is clear he feels Shakespeare is painting a gruesome battlefield, glorious at the expense of other’s lives.

An Opposing View

In a blog by Samantha Warren, a Murray State University student, she expresses how Shakespeare tried to portray Henry V as a tyrannical leader. She claims, as many others, that Henry V represents the ideas of Niccolo Machiavelli, an Italian philosopher who taught about corruption in a nation’s government.³ To learn more about her research click here.

So Why is this IMPORTANT to Us?

Well this is interesting to me because I LOVE hearing different people’s opinions about controversial topics. Doing this helps us understand how important point of view is. We can be looking at something with a strong opinion and then change our view and WALLAH, change our opinion.

Especially with this topic, from my religous background, I have a strong opinion about when war is justified. While serving as a missionary, I discussed for over a

n hour with a woman who opposed war at all costs. Recently in my history class, we discussed World War I and whether the US should have entered the war. The topic is open ended, and constantly emerging as it is prevalent in our past. It is important for us to become knowledgeable about it as it will undoubtedly be in our future.

So write your opinion, either about the post or about war in general. I would love to hear.

Source Citation:

1. "Machiavellianism by William Shakespeare." Shakespearean Criticism. Ed. Michelle Lee. Vol. 107. Detroit: Thomson Gale, 2007. 67-199. Literature Criticism Online. Gale. Brigham Young University - Provo. 20 October 2011 http://galenet.galegroup.com/servlet/LitCrit/byuprovo/FJ2633550003

2. Deats, Sara Munson. “Henry V at War: Christian King or Model Machievel.” In War and Words: Horror and Heroism in the Literature of Warfare, edited by Sara Munson Deats, Lagretta Tallent Lenker, and Merry G. Perry, pp. 83-101. Lanham, Md.: Lexington Books, 2004.

3. Warren, Samantha. "William Shakespeare's Henry V: The Self-Interested Schemer." http://samantha-warren.suite101.com/william-shakespeares-henry-v-the-self-interested-schemer-a330688

War! What is it good for? Uh... I'll get back to you on that.

In connection with my last post "THIS IS WAR!" I feel Kenneth Branagh had a similar outlook in mind as he directed the 1989 film of Henry V. In his movie, many of the scenes were painted with blood clearly showing how, many suffer from the horrors of war.
From reading the whole play, lines about glory and fear continued to emerge. Shakespeare wrote clearly about the two sides. In my last post I focused on the glory, especially in King Henry's "Saint Caspin's Day" speech, and this will focus more on the horrors of war.

How Far is Too Far?
Just before the great Battle of Agincourt, Fluellen reports to the king that a man named Bardolph was found robbing a church. In the movie, Kenneth Branagh stages this so that, Bardolph rides standing in the back of a wagon just as the news is made known. King Henry and Bardolph stare at each other as if they know each other. Then, cleverly, there is a flash back to the olden days, when the king used to run around in taverns drinking. He and Bardolph are playing a drinking game, smiling, laughing, and then the scene cuts back to reality. The life of Henry's friend is in his hands. "We would have all such offenders so cut off," says the King, going back to original text. The man has a rope slipped around his next, which is tied to the tree, and the men ride off with the horses pulling the wagon.
For the next three or four minutes, Bardolph's hanging body is the middle of the scene. It is clear, from the director's point of view, that war causes men to do things as if in a drunken rage.

No Place for Boys
There is another scene where the "Boy" runs back to the English camp to "protect the luggage." He knew there were only boys defending the camp and wisely sought to fortify the defense. There is a gruesome scene where, the men come back to camp to find all the boys killed by the French army. Men are wailing, and eventually pick up there lifeless bodies. Woman run to King Henry's side as he carries "Boy" over his shoulder. Screaming hysterically they are propelled back by the other soldiers.

When is War Justified?
To conclude, it is important that we understand King Henry's motives for war. My next post will consist of quotes and examples of where the King of England's heart is, the most intriguing element of the play.

THIS IS WAR!

Some tips have been evident to the theme I want to touch on. Quotes from throughout the play, the movie made in 1989 by Kenneth Branagh, and analysis online allude to this message Shakespeare is sending.
As a side note, the things I wanted to get from the play have changed, and the way I studied it changed. Trying yo understand it, I have been paraphrasing every scene with a short paragraph, it helps a lot! Also, rather than watching for how King Henry V makes decisions, which was one of my focuses before, I am now looking at how Shakespeare appeals to and audience while sending the messages he wants to convey. I am intrigued with someone who can balance audience entertainment and plot development, it is a talent good for business, writing and a host of other categories.
Ok, so here are some aspects of Henry V where Shakespeare talks about the elements of war...

Reasons for war...

King Henry is sent a message from France that he cannot have the land he wants. They give him "tennis balls" as a "treasure" to make up the difference. Essentially, the Dauphin is mocking King Henry. Over this, King Henry decides to go to war.
One may say he is going to war over the land, but the King of France offers his daughter and some Dukedoms (land) and King Henry still marches on. He is fighting the war over a firm decision and over pride.

Glory of war...
The play is full of men who consider the glories of war.
Pistol, an Englishmen says war "doth win immortal fame." Suggesting their names will live on if they win.
King Henry, in his famous speech on St. Crispin's Day says "And if to live, the fewer men, the greater share of honour.... This story shall the good man teach his son... in it shall we be remembered...And gentlemen in England now a-bed shall think themselves accursed they were not here, and hold their manhoods cheap whiles any speaks that fought with us upon Saint Crispin's day." As a side note, we should all know of this speech after taking a Shakespeare class. Just before going into battle, outnumbered five to one, King Henry V arms his men with courage in this famous speech on St. Crispin's Day (Oct. 25th) known as St. Crispin's Day Speech.

Horror of war...
There is a young boy who says, "Would I were in an alehouse in London! I would give all my fame for a pot of ale and safety." This quote shows how fearful war was and that not all were struck by the fame and glory.

Shakespeare creatively showed the differences in war as he developed characters and plot.

Henry V

Writing that makes me think of Michael Jackson and the Jackson 5, but there is no relation. Let me assure King Henry V, though juvenile as a young boy, grows up to be a strong man and great King of England.
In the beginning of the play, he has taken over the throne of his father, but kind of like Alma the Younger had to repair the damages he made growing up, King Henry had to prove he wasn't a boy anymore.
In essence, he claims some French land for England, but Prince Dauphin of France says "I don't think so!" and they go to war. England goes into France and there is an assassination attempt on King Henry's life. He orders the death of the three men and one of them is an old friend, Scrope. Watch for this theme of, "what are you willing to do in the name of war," or, "what are willing to do to prove yourself," as I blog. Further developing the theme, he later hangs three men for looting, two of which were old friends from his younger days.
Eventually, England is beating back France and the King of France, Charles VI, has a desire for his daughter Catherine to merry King Henry V so they can be allies.
In the end there is an inspiring battle where King Henry's men are outnumbered five to one. He dresses up as a common soldier and learns what other soldiers are thinking and then laments being king. In the morning, before the defining Battle of Agincourt he give the famous St. Crispin's Day Speech and his army prevails.
And yes, to satisfy your curiousity, it is one of Shakespeare's plays that ends in a wedding. King Henry and Catherine are married.

I looked up different adaptaions of the play. The one I suggest was directed and starred by Kenneth Branagh in 1989. He has done some other plays, and in this particular one he "emphasizes the horrors of war." Another one was done much earlier by Laurence Olivier (1944). It was done to call people to arms as it was back in the days of WWII. Both are interesting and should have very different outlooks on war.
see: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Crispin%27s_Day_Speech#St._Crispin.27s_Day_Speech

Finally I just want to express what I want to get out of reading the play and other's opinions on it. Henry V seems to be a very sharp and bold man. He does not take no for an answer and obviously is eloquent with his words. I am going to be watching how he confidently makes decisions (for my own growth) and uses his words to persuade other people. Also, as I read the different scenes I am interested to see how he, or all of the men, compare to the women. I read a synopsis that said the men are much more harsh and speak English, but the women often speak French with more courtesy. It suggested that this not only showed the contrast between men and women, but also how the life of a woman was much more sheltered. Many of the choices Catherine follows are her fathers. Alright, well here we go.

Get ready for Henry V.