am TOO a king!

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One of the big questions within Henry V, which has already been brought up in class, is whether or not England is fighing a "just" war. From the very beginning, Henry questions if  there is a law that "should or should not bar us from our claim", before he "awakes the sleeping sword of war" ( Act 1.2), referring to his claim to the throne of France.  After being assured by the Archbishop of Canterbury (who really just wants to distract Henry from cutting church funds), Henry feels justified in going to war. It really wasn't a hard sell. But how convinced is Henry really? and how strong is his conviction that France belongs rightfully under English rule? It seems like a convenient excuse, or cover for Henry's hurt pride. Perhaps Henry is trying to prove his competency and maturity as a King in reaction to the Dauphin's provocation... Maybe he even goes so far as to convince himself that he is justified, unaware himself of his underlying motives:

"If it be a sin to covet honour, I am the most offending soul alive." (Act 4.3)

I wonder if "covetting honor" is just a  euphemism for "protecting my ego", and I wonder if Henry is confuscating  patriotism with personal glory.

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