1. Introduction
“Normans, but bastard Normans, Norman bastards!” (Shakespeare, Arden 3.5.10)
This exclamation of the Duke of Britain when he thinks of the English invader King Henry and his approaching army is a testimony of the cordial dislike of the French towards their English enemy. Within Henry V there are many more instances of the French being prejudiced against the English but also vice versa.
However, the quotation above does not only contain a token of the French aversion against their opponent in the Hundred Years War – the setting of this history play by William Shakespeare – but also alludes to the fact that the two nations are somehow interwoven – a circumstance that will be dealt with later on.
Within this paper on Shakespeare’s Henry V, I will take a closer look at the ways in which the two nations describe themselves and are described by others, as well as at the textual evidence that sheds light on some of the national prejudices that the English and the French have against each other. Finally, I will search for those points in the play that indicate a sort of closeness between the two parties.
Concerning the choice of words, it has to be mentioned that, for the sake of simplicity, the terms England and the corresponding adjective English shall be synonymous with the totality of England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland, the four peoples that are fighting together under King Henry against the French.
Table of contents
1. Introduction
2. Portrayal of the English and the French as two separate entities
2.1 Portrayal through the parties themselves
2.1.1 The courageous and united English
2.1.2 The cowardly and boastful French
2.1.3 Language issues
2.2 Portrayal through others
2.2.1 The Chorus
2.2.2 The English about the French
2.2.3 The French about the English
3. Not so different though – interconnection of the English and the French
4. Conclusion
Objectives and Core Topics
This paper examines the depiction of England and France in William Shakespeare's historical play Henry V. The primary research objective is to analyze how both nations are characterized—both through their own actions and by others—and to investigate how these seemingly separate entities are textually and thematically interconnected within the narrative.
- The construction of national identity and the portrayal of unity among the English forces.
- The role of moral contrast, specifically the portrayal of French cowardice and vanity versus English heroism.
- The instrumental use of language and rhetoric as tools for leadership and characterization.
- The perspective of external narrators, specifically the Chorus, in shaping audience perception.
- The underlying themes of interdependency and the shared history between the two nations.
Excerpt from the book
2.1.1 The courageous and united English
After the first confrontation with Shakespeare’s Henry V, one might perhaps be left with the impression that King Henry, the central character of the play, is really a magnificent specimen of a powerful and heroic king who has no equal. His victory over the numerically advantaged French not only lets him appear to be infallible but also shows his whole nation in a good light. Improbable though this outcome of the battle of Agincourt may be at first sight, it nevertheless has a comprehensible reason: the unity of England. This unity constitutes the completion of a profound development within the play; in this way, the two quarrelsome individuals Pistol and Nym settle their argument in 2.1:
NYM I shall have my eight shillings?
PISTOL A noble shalt thou have, and present pay,
And liquor likewise will I give to thee,
And friendship shall combine and brotherhood.
I’ll live by Nym and Nym shall live by me. (2.1.106-110)
Furthermore, the three military leaders of Scotland, Ireland, England and Wales – Captain Gower, Macmorris, Jamy and Fluellen – are able to join together to form one concentrated army which is united under their brave commander King Henry. Furthermore, the noblemen York and Suffolk can serve as a third example of the English unity inasmuch as, though they used to come into conflict with each other constantly, the dying Duke of York makes passing away more bearable for the Earl of Suffolk by lying with him on the battlefield when they both take their last breath. They die united and embraced and the Duke of York emphasizes their unity when he says:
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: This chapter introduces the research focus on the portrayal of the English and French nations in Shakespeare's Henry V and defines the scope of the study.
2. Portrayal of the English and the French as two separate entities: This section investigates how the two nations are distinctively characterized, examining the unity of the English and the perceived failures of the French through their own self-representation and the use of language.
2.1 Portrayal through the parties themselves: This section focuses on internal depictions within each camp, highlighting the heroic narrative of the English and the contrasted depiction of French vanity.
2.1.1 The courageous and united English: Explores how King Henry creates a unified identity for his troops, using the concept of brotherhood and honor to overcome internal divisions.
2.1.2 The cowardly and boastful French: Analyzes the depiction of the Dauphin and the French King, arguing that they serve as a moral foil to the English by exhibiting arrogance and indecision.
2.1.3 Language issues: Discusses the significance of rhetoric and the mastery of language, contrasting Henry’s effective use of speech with the perceived inadequacy of French discourse.
2.2 Portrayal through others: Investigates characterizations provided by external observers and narrators within the play.
2.2.1 The Chorus: Examines how the Chorus acts as an alienation device to frame the audience's perception of the two opposing camps.
2.2.2 The English about the French: Looks at the prejudices held by English figures, such as the Archbishop of Canterbury, and the use of historical allusions to depict the French as conquerable.
2.2.3 The French about the English: Explores the derogatory view of the English held by the French, focusing on perceived class differences and environmental factors.
3. Not so different though – interconnection of the English and the French: This chapter challenges the established dualism by revealing subtle connections, such as shared language and historical intermingling, that bind the two nations.
4. Conclusion: Summarizes the study’s findings, suggesting that the play’s complexity lies in its ability to present multiple, often contradictory, viewpoints of the conflict.
Keywords
William Shakespeare, Henry V, England, France, Battle of Agincourt, National Identity, Rhetoric, Literary Analysis, Historical Plays, Unity, Prejudice, King Henry, The Dauphin, The Chorus, Interconnection
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this research paper?
The paper explores how William Shakespeare portrays the nations of England and France in his historical play Henry V, focusing on the construction of national identity through rhetoric, self-representation, and external commentary.
What are the primary thematic pillars of the work?
The central themes include the contrast between English unity and French vanity, the role of leadership in fostering national identity, the symbolic use of language as a weapon, and the paradoxical interconnection between two warring parties.
What is the main research question or objective?
The objective is to analyze how the play creates a distinction between the English and French through various forms of textual evidence, while simultaneously uncovering the moments where these two "separate" entities are depicted as historically and culturally intertwined.
Which scientific methods are applied in this analysis?
The author employs a literary analysis method, closely reading key passages of the play, comparing character motivations, and contextualizing the text within historical sources and literary criticism.
What does the main body of the paper cover?
The main body is divided into three parts: an analysis of the two nations' self-portrayals, an analysis of their portrayal by others (such as the Chorus), and an investigation into the moments where the distinction between the two nations blurs.
Which keywords best characterize this work?
The most relevant keywords include Shakespeare, Henry V, National Identity, Rhetoric, Agincourt, and the thematic interplay between England and France.
How does the author interpret the role of King Henry?
The author views Henry as a charismatic leader who embodies his nation's spirit and uses rhetoric to unify disparate social ranks into a cohesive military force.
What is the significance of the Chorus in the play according to the author?
The author argues that the Chorus acts as an "alienation device" that directs the audience's emotional response, specifically encouraging compassion for the English by framing them as underdogs.
How is the "interconnection" of the two nations argued?
The author points to scenes like the language lessons between Katherine and Alice and the genealogical references to the Norman Conquest to suggest that England and France are inextricably linked by shared history and future dynastic ties.
- Quote paper
- Rolf Reimbold (Author), 2012, The depiction of England and France within William Shakespeare’s "Henry V.", Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/191200
