Shakespeare's Presentation of King Henry V in Act 2, Scene 2.

Shakespeare's Presentation of King Henry V in Act 2, Scene 2.

In act 2, scene 2 Shakespeare presents Henry as someone who is

powerful, confidant and dominant. However he is also presented as

being human like everyone else and having normal emotions. Shakespeare

has created Henry's personality to show what makes an ideal king.

Shakespeare shows Henry's power by his anger and superiority over the

traitors. When talking to the traitors he makes a long speech through

which Shakespeare stresses Henry's power, 'How dare you for shame,

talk of mercy.' The phrase, 'How dare you' suggests that Henry is

outraged. It also suggests that he is disgusted by the way his

inferiors are talking to him. This shows power as he is showing his

outrage and telling them what to do. The power of his speech could be

shown on stage by Henry's facial expressions such as glaring, going

red in the face or narrowing his eyes. His anger could also be shown

by violent actions such as knocking chairs over and grabbing hold of

the traitors. The traitors could also look very frightened.

Henry is also made to look powerful by the way he is treated by people

in his presence. Shakespeare shows this power by the way any one of

his constituent's address Henry. E.g. always ending their sentences

with my liege, my lord or my royal sovereign, 'So did you, my liege'.

The phrase, 'my liege' suggests respect and Henry's superiority over

the person speaking. On stage to show power by the way he is treated

by people in his presence as well as being addressed properly as I

have discussed, when Henry enters a room or when people come to talk

to him they could bow, showing Henry's power and superiority.

Power is also seen in Henry's attitude to war. Henry's attitude to war

is one of great confidence, 'We dought not a fair and lucky war'. The

phrase, 'dought not' shows a definite air of confidence and belief in

himself and his country. Henry doesn't see the French as a threat to