In William Shakespeare's play "King Henry V," King Henry attempts to persuade Princess Katherine to marry him and unite England and France. The play is set during the Hundred Years' War, and King Henry sees the marriage as a way to bring peace to the two warring nations. However, Princess Katherine is hesitant to marry the man who has conquered her country. King Henry's attempts to persuade Princess Katherine are both charming and manipulative, and they reveal a great deal about his character and the political climate of the time. One of the ways that King Henry attempts to persuade Princess Katherine is by using flattery. He tells her that she is beautiful and intelligent and that he admires her greatly. He says, "Fair Katherine, if you will love me soundly with your French heart, I will be glad to hear you confess it brokenly with your English tongue. Do you like me, Kate?" (Act 5, Scene 2). By complimenting her, King Henry is attempting to win her over and make her feel special. This shows that he is a skilled politician who understands the power of charm and persuasion. …show more content…
He argues that by marrying him, she will gain power and influence in England. He says, "Your father hath commanded me to give you in marriage to this noble king. I will tell you, lady, he hath put me off to the succession of John of Gaunt, and made your lord, the Duke of Burgundy, next to succeed" (Act 5, Scene 2). By positioning the marriage as a way for Princess Katherine to gain more power and influence, King Henry is attempting to appeal to her sense of self-interest. This shows that he is a shrewd politician who understands how to make a