War and 'Henry V'

Paper Summary:

This paper introduces, discusses, and analyzes the play "Henry V" by William Shakespeare. Specifically it discusses the various meanings of the word war and how Shakespeare uses it throughout the play. Because so much of the play revolves around war and the results of war, war has become a vital word in this play.

From the Paper:

"The word war appears often in this play, along with many variations. In this quote from the First Act, Henry shows the audience his desire to go to war and to conquer France. Shakespeare writes, "For we have now no thought in us but France, / Save those to God, that run before our business. / Therefore, let our proportions for these wars / Be soon collected, and all things thought upon / That may with reasonable swiftness add / More feathers to our wings; for, God before, / We'll chide this Dauphin at his father's door. / Therefore let every man now task his thought, / That this fair action may on foot be brought" (Shakespeare I, ii). The King uses the word as "wars," and acts as if the wars are guided by God.
This is an important aspect of the word, for often wars seem to be religiously inspired, or fought on "God's side." The "right" side in any war believes they are fighting for the right cause and the right reason. For example, in World War II, the Allies were fighting against Fascism and Hitler's horrible dictatorship. The Allies were certainly "right," while Hitler and his followers were "wrong."

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• Comparison Essay # 26523 : "Various Depictions of War"

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