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?
William Shakespeare's historical play, The Life of Henry V, captures the essence of noble kingship during the Elizabethan era. Henry utilizes his uncanny rhetorical skill to manipulate friends and foes alike with ruththless determination, yet a compassionate nature to successfully portray a good king as well as a good man. King Henry V comes across as a dependable young man whose commanding qualities of leadership were necessary to stabilize the nation.
