King Henry V Themes & Symbolism

King Henry V Principal Topics

Kingship

Henry establishes his right to kingship by fulfilling the qualities required of a true king in several different ways. He focuses on both securing his right to the English crown and capturing the French throne.

He follows the advice given to him by his father at the end of Henry IV, Part Two, to "busy giddy minds with foreign quarrels." He accomplishes this task by waging war on France and asserting his claim to the French throne, which was denied his great-great-grandmother because of the Salic law which made succession through the female line illegal. The war against France establishes both Henry's legal and moral right to the throne; by discrediting the Salic law and defeating the French army Henry captures the crown, and by accepting responsibility and showing concern for his subjects he earns the ethical right to kingship as well.

Henry's moral growth and acceptance of...
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