What Is The Tone Of King Henry's Day Speech

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In Saint Crispin’s Day speech from William Shakespeare’s Henry V, the character of King Henry shifts from an inspiring tone to an encouraging tone using parallel structure, pathos, and imagery creating one of the greatest speeches in literature.
The character of King Henry begins his speech by sharing his own point of view on the oncoming battle. The king says, “…I am not covetous for gold, Nor care I who doth feed upon my cost”. He goes on to demonstrate parallel structure by repeating the previous sentence structure. King Henry says, “It yearns me not if men my garments wear; such outward things dwell not in my desires. But if it be a sin to covet honour, I am the most offending soul alive”. He uses this parallel structure to share that he values honor and that this is why he is fighting. In fighting alongside him, King Henry’s troops would share this great honor.
King Henry’s uses pathos to further rally his men. He says, “…he which hath no stomach to this fight, let him depart…we would not die in that man’s company that fears his fellowship to die with us”. This hypothetical man who wishes to leave appeals to the anger and resentment soldiers often feel towards cowards and deserters. On the opposite end of the emotional spectrum, King Henry appeals to his men’s feelings of comradery when he uses the phrase “we band of brothers”. The pathos King …show more content…

He says, “He that shall live this day… will yearly on the vigil feast his neighbours and say ‘To-morrow is saint Crispian’. Then will he strip his sleeve and show his scars, and say ‘These wounds I had on Crispian’s day’”. This imagery of a proud man basking in glory every year for the rest of his life uplifts the spirits of the king’s men. By the time King Henry says the last line of his speech England’s soldiers are read to march into battle, possibly to their deaths, and fight for their honor. They are also fighting for their beloved

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