Obstacless To Take Over France In Shakespeare's Henry V

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In shakespeare's play, Henry V, the title character wants to take over France. This is surprising since he is young and taking over the french throne seems out of his capability. Throughout the play, he faces many obstacles in addition to his reputation. These include; a lack of refuge, fighting amongst his men, and his army is outnumbered. Henry solves these obstacles through his rhetoric. Henry wasn’t raised like most princes are. Most princes are taught from a young age how to be a proper king. Henry wasn’t. He partied and was what we would considered a playboy today. Henry encounters many obstacles in his reign. The first is demonstrated when the Bishop of Canterbury states: Since his addiction was to courses vain, His companies unletter’d, rude, and shallow, His hours fill’d up with riots, banquets, sports, And never noted in him any study, Any retirement, any …show more content…

But I will rise there with so full a glory That I will dazzle all the eyes of France, (1.2. 276-279). He is saying that while he was out partying, he was working with the common people.He has earned their trust. While the Dauphin was being trained by teachers and scholars, he was out with his people. This is ethos because he is basically saying that he has better experience to lead his people. The Dauphin doesn’t know his people and therefore cannot lead them as well as Henry can. King Henry and his men invade France in winter. His men are all freezing and many are sick, so they need a place to say. He comes to the town of Harfleur and tells the governor there to open the gates and let his men in: Open your gates. Come, uncle Exeter, Go you and enter Harfleur. There remain And fortify it strongly ‘gainst the French. Use mercy to them all. For us, dear uncle, The winter is coming on, and sickness