Henry V

Henry V is the title character and hero of the play, a portrayal of the King of England 1413-1422. His character appears as a youth in William Shakespeare’s earlier plays (Richard II, Henry IV Part 1, and Henry IV Part 2), Henry is vastly different to the mature character he becomes in Henry V. As alluded to by several characters in Henry V, Henry’s youth as shown in these plays was spent in the company of dissolute common men, leading a reckless lifestyle. This reputation feeds into the French nobility’s arrogance regarding a potential war with England, so much so that the Dauphin sends Henry a gift of tennis balls as a mocking way to allude to his carefree youth. Fortunately for Henry, the French nobility does not understand that—in the intervening years between the plays—he has grown into a responsible young man. The frequency with which Henry dwelled with disreputable commoners during his younger years provides him with an insight into the mindset of his soldiers and becomes in Henry V a kingly love and appreciation for his people. He dons a cloak before the Battle of Agincourt and spends time among his men, while his famously inspirational speeches emphasize his fraternity with his fellow man.