Student Essay on Henry: Noble and Heroic or Violent and Scheming?

Historically, Henry V ruled his country with justice and diligence. He lifted England from the chaos of his father's reign to civil order and a high spirit of nationalism. Shakespeare, however, paints Henry V in a wide variety of lights, is being illustrated constantly throughout the play. Yet it seems impossible to be completely decisive about his character: violent or noble; scheming or heroic?

Historically, Henry V ruled his country with justice and diligence. He lifted England from the chaos of his father's reign to civil order and a high spirit of nationalism. He demonstrated military genius, daring strategy, and attentiveness, whilst indebting his country's crown further through his many wars; these wars however gained him the respect and praise of a whole nation: Henry V is a historical hero. Shakespeare, however, paints Henry in a wide variety of lights in his play Henry V. Henry's character is being illustrated constantly throughout the play, but it seems impossible to be completely decisive about his character: violent or noble; scheming or heroic"

One place from which we are able to gain a truly positive image of Henry is from the Chorus. The Chorus plays a fundamental role for Shakespeare; enabling him to.....