Shakespeare's Henry V - Leadership and
Ethics
Henry V
Key character
Henry V, king of England (previously Harry, or Hal in Henry IV Parts 1 and 2).
Fun facts
The famous English actor, Laurence Olivier, directed and starred in
the 1944 Oscar winning film version (pictured right) - the film
poster is pictured below.
This was used to boost morale in wartime Britain.
The story
England's King Henry V decides to invade France as Anglo-French relations deteriorate.
The French king’s heir, Louis the Dauphin, insultingly gives Henry a barrel of tennis
balls to remind him of his irresponsible youth (see Henry IV Parts 1 and 2).
Henry:
- survives an assassination attempt (just before he leaves for France).
- defeats the French at the port of Harfleur (but his troops are tired and
demoralized).
The French king, Charles VI, then fights Henry at the Battle of
Agincourt.
The night before it begins, Henry:
- visits his troops in disguise
- challenges one of them (Michael Williams) for doubting their cause.
The next day he rouses them for battle with an inspiring speech. Despite being outnumbered five
to one, they win a famous victory, losing only 25 men with over 10,000 French dead.
Henry (Kenneth Branagh, pictured right , in the 1989 film):
- searches for Michael Williams.
- reveals his true identity to him.
- forgives him (for his insubordination the night before) and gives him some
money.
Henry marries Princess Catherine, the French king’s daughter.
All seems happy between the two countries, but the Chorus warns that this will change under Henry’s son.
Henry VI.
Lessons on leadership and ethics
1. Communication
Henry’s great speeches inspire his troops to victory, even though they are tired and
demoralized.
Outside the walls of Harfleur after a three month siege, he motivates his troops with one of the
greatest speeches in Shakespeare.
It famously begins:
“Once more unto the breach dear friends, once more; or close the wall up with our English
dead!”.
2. First among equals
Despite being king, Henry treats his people as equals.
In his Harfleur speech he calls his troops “dear friends” (see point 1)
In his speech before the Battle of Agincourt, he sees the army as one big family united by a
common purpose:
“We few, we happy few, we band of brothers”.
He also meets his troops in disguise to find out their opinions.
One of them, Michael Williams, openly attacks the king.
“Few die well that die in battle”, he tells him.
But later Henry goes out of his way to forgive him.
3. Duty and conscience
Henry tells Michael Williams that people must
- consider their soul and conscience.
“Every subject’s duty is the king’s, but every subject’s soul is his own”, Henry says.
But many of his men (including Williams) disagree with his belief that it is a wonderful thing to die for your
country (see point 2).
4. You can’t win over everybody
Not all of his troops are brave.
One of them says he would give up fame in battle for “a pot of ale and safety”.
5. Character
Henry advocates different virtues for different situations in his Harfleur speech:
- “modest stillness and humility” in peacetime,
- bravery in battle (“Imitate the action of a tiger”, he tells his troops).
But, whatever the circumstances, honour (doing your duty and following your principles) is
always important to him.
Just before the Battle of Agincourt, he says:
“If it be a sin to covet honour, I am the most offending man alive”.
Henry:
- turns away from the irresponsibility of his youth.
- ruthlessly sacrifices his friendship with his old drinking pal, Falstaff
(who dies a broken man).
6. Tough but tender
Henry is kind to his people (forgiving Michael Williams and releasing a prisoner for a minor offence) but tough
on his enemies.
At Harfleur he ruthlessly threatens murder and pillage with “your naked infants spitted upon
spikes”, if the French didn’t surrender.
He also executes all the French prisoners there.
7. Leadership is difficult
Like his father, Henry IV, he feels the pressures of leadership.
Just before the Battle of Agincourt, he laments
“What infinite hearts ease must kings neglect, that private men enjoy!”
8. Action is all
One of Henry’s biggest strengths is his ability to get people’s support to achieve his
aims as quickly and effectively as possible.
He makes the best use of the resources at his disposal.
Key quotes on leadership
Once more unto the breach dear friends, once more; or close the wall up with our English dead! In peace there’s
nothing so becomes a man as modest stillness and humility, but when the blast of war blows in our ears, then
imitate the action of a tiger (the beginning of his Harfleur speech), Henry V
Every subject’s duty is the king’s, but every subject’s soul is his own, Henry V
Key quotes on communication
Men of few words are the best men, Boy (ex-servant of Falstaff who goes to war in
France).
Key quote on ethics
There is some soul of goodness in things evil, would men observingly distil it out, Henry
V.
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