Shakespeare On Leadership

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Henry V is Shakespeare on leadership. Shakespeare celebrates this English monarch, displaying what makes him a good leader. Henry expels justice and mercy, he listens, he motivates, and his is gravely aware of his responsibilities as king.

Young Henry is presented with a chance to rally great Britain (England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales) with a common cause and prove himself: by claiming and conquering France. Without a common cause his noblemen may quickly quarrel with each other and challenge the king’s authority. King Henry can make claim to France because his grandmother was a French princess, However, the French have a Salique law which prohibits the French crown from being inherited by the line of the female but the law is interpreted to only block the Germans from the Salique land from claiming the throne.

Henry is a good listener, he is well advised because he takes council from his nobles and the Bishop of Canterbury. Studying law is dominated by the Catholic church in the fifteenth century. The bishop advises the King that he indeed has a claim to the French throne. But a previous scene reveals that the bishop has interests of his own. “May I with right and conscious make this claim?” asks Henry. “It is a sin upon my head.” replies Canterbury. Thus Henry receives the approval and the blessing of the church with the advice that since the French do not think the same about the Salique law France can only be taken by force. His advisor and uncle Exeter says “Your brothers and Kings of monarchs of the earth do all expect that you should rouse yourself, as did the former lions of your blood.” meaning that much is expected of Henry and he must live up to his ancestor’s reputation. Westmoreland Henry’s cous...

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...ht of responsibility is something every leader must face and coupe with. Henry turns to God praying “O God of battles! Steal my soldiers hearts; poses them not with fear…” Henry is asking God to make he soldiers fearless. Whether or not his men were fearless, they carried they day.

Shakespeare revealed Henry V’s leadership skills though indirect characterizations in scenes throughout this epic play. Henry possesses such leadership skills as listening, knowing when to grant mercy and justice, how to motivate, and he was also conscious of the immensity of his responsibilities as king. All of Henry’s leadership skills can be lesson translated into the modern world.

The Complete Works of Shakespeare, edited by Hardin Craig © 1961, http://lilt.ilstu.edu/cvarne2/teaching%20business%20ethics.pdf, http://www.sparknotes.com/shakespeare/henryv/canalysis.html

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