Henry V Perseverance

In Shakespeare’s Henry V, the protagonist King Henry, obtained greatness from such qualities which inspired his men to follow him without hesitation, even when faced with dreadful odds. Henry V is a wise and loyal king, changing from a wild youth to a mature king. He is described to be an intelligent, thoughtful and efficient statesman. Henry’s perseverance allows him to be an effective king through difficult moments. He thinks carefully whether to invade France or not which represents his responsible character. King Henry gives a very strong speech which gave courage and confidence to his army that they could win the battle. This character describes him to be a king of great ability to fight and have good administrative skills. Throughout the play, Henry’s nature is religious, merciful and compassionate. Henry V renewed his family’s claim to the French throne after a hundred years of war. Shakespeare is telling the audience in England that they are people of bravery.

One component of Henry V perseverance is encouraging his men not to give in during their first battle against France. With his forces about to engage the French in their first battle, Henry delivers this speech, which begins, 'Once more into the breach, dear friends, once more' (3.1.1-2). This rousing pre-battle speech is evidence of the eloquence that Canterbury and Ely ascribed to Henry. Here he uses language to reinforce his perseverance, and by appealing to his soldiers as both friends and Englishman, rhetorically prepares them with visions of their connection to their country and their king to rally them to face and overcome the horrors of warfare. “For there is none of you so mean and base, That hath not noble luster in your eyes. I see you stand like greyhounds in the slips, Straining upon the start. The game’s afoot. Follow your spirit, and upon this charge Cry ‘God for Harry, England, and Saint George!’’ (3.2.31-37). In these lines he calls all of his soldiers noble, saying that even the lowest of them have 'noble luster' in their eyes. In the preceding speech, they have been told to discard their peaceful ways and embrace the battle that will follow, and they have been reminded of England's proud history and many victories. Now, they 'stand like greyhounds,' ready to fight for their country and their king. Declaring 'the game's afoot,' Henry gives his final rallying cry, telling his men to follow their spirits and, charging, cry out 'God for Harry, England, and Saint George!' In this way he appeals simultaneously to their faith, their sense of camaraderie with each other as soldiers and countrymen, and their sense of duty to their King. Note that by calling himself the informal Harry, he draws his men even closer to him. Henry may believe all these things, but once again he is also putting on a performance for his men here. He is, through his words, conjuring a vision of a united England while also helping the men to conjure visions of their own best, bravest selves.

A second component of Henry’s perseverance allows him to accomplish difficult tasks, first executing one of his long best friend’s Bardolph for stealing from the French throne. “We would have all such offenders cut off” (3.6.109-110). Henry explains that as king, he must not go easy on anyone, including the people that are closest to him. Henry displays no visible emotion which is somewhat surprising, given that when Henry was a prince, he and Bardolph were friends. Following Henry’s situation, he then warns his fellow soldiers what to do. “We give express charge, that in our marches through the country, there be nothing compelled from the villages, nothing taken but paid for, none of the French upbraided or abused in disdainful language; for when lenity and cruelty play for a kingdom, the gentler gamester is the soonest winner”(3.6.110-116). In the quote, Henry expresses the requirement that his army acts morally and honorably to the French citizens, and ordering his men to steal nothing from the French villages. 'Nothing compelled,' and 'nothing taken but paid for.' What's more, he even prohibits his soldiers from abusing the French people with foul language. He argues that when kindness and cruelty compete for a kingdom, it is the 'gentler' that always wins. This decision shows both compassion and perseverance. Henry V wants to be honorable and kind since he is a Christian and a gentle ruler, but he also wants to take over France.

A third component of Henry’s perseverance is motivating his men before the Battle of Agincourt to give it their all for their country. “If we are marked to die, we are enough To do our country loss; and if to live, The fewer men, the greater share of honor” (4.3.22-25). No longer disguised and once more fully inhabiting his role as king, Henry speaks to calm and inspire his men who are worried and wishing for more soldiers. The English are about to face a French army that is massively larger than their own. Henry appeals to fate and glory, suggesting that if the men are 'marked to die,' then it is simply time for them to die for their country. And 'if to live,' than the fewer that survive, the greater the honor is for each one of them. By putting their lives to fate and appealing to their sense of English pride and honor, Henry returns to the ideals of warfare in honor of England that he evoked in his famous 'Once more into the breach' speech, and prepares his men to fight for victory.

Henry's perseverance enables him to be a powerful lord through troublesome minutes from beginning to end. For these moments have resulted in positive outcomes in Henry’s perspective. In difficult times such as executing his best friend for the greater good, preventing his men from giving up in battle, or inspiring and motivating his men before the final battle to give it their all, Henry’s perseverance prevented him from giving up on himself and his country.