I really, really love most of Shakespeare’s histories. I think they have some of his most interesting characters and ask some of the most interesting questions. Henry V is no exception.
To me, this play has a lot to say about the role of government, particularly the role of our leaders. (Now that I am starting to write about this, it seems very appropriate, considering the US election tomorrow.) For example, there is one pivotal scene where Henry (disguised) and several of his subjects discuss the extent to which leaders are accountable to their subordinates for the decisions they make, and how much of that accountability is or should be shared between them.
As a bit of a political nut, I find that discussion fascinating.
I also love the change in Henry that is both explicitly and implicitly shown. Prior to his assuming the crown, he was reckless, irresponsible, and selfish. After his father’s death, he becomes something almost unrecognizable to the point that the opening lines praise him using mythological language. Not only that, but the Opening lines of Henry VI Part 1 (which picks right where Henry V leaves off) deify him as “too famous to live long.” Observing this change provides a huge amount of depth of character to our Hal that I absolutely love and admire.
Although it is not my favorite of the Bard’s histories, I love this play wholeheartedly. I really, really want to see it on stage someday and I will definitely keep my eyes open for nearby productions of it, but until then, I will have to be content with my battered secondhand copy of the Histories of Shakespeare and bide my time.
