Henry V, Good King, Good Guy, or Extremely Likeable Sociopath?
Even after multiple discussions of this question in class, I'm still left questioning how I feel about Henry, and I feel like I can't be the only one. Now, don't get me wrong, his entire familiar line definitely has some issues with power, and with maintaining the throne through both bloody and psychologically manipulative ways (see literally everything Richard III did decades later, and a lot of what Henry's predecessors did in order to gain the throne). However, Henry appears to defy these traits as he genuinely appears as a likeable character.
I'm not entirely sure if this is a trait that was inherited through Shakespeare's portrayal, or simply a trait that the king himself possessed, but no matter what Henry does, I cannot help but find myself to be rooting for his survival, and for him to win in everything that he tries. In this way, it can be easy to be swayed into thinking that because Henry is a likeable enough character, that he is in fact a good king; however, Henry's subtle previous actions often get overlooked.
Take the beginning of the play, as he is shown to take succession of his father's throne - a child being thrown into the wonders of adulthood. Though he initially appears to be taking charge, many of the characters, his subjects, are making note of his "wild" ways; and how they seem to be effectively curbed since he became king. This is shown to be false, not only in the Dauphin's witty and comedic delivery of tennis balls for the "child-king", but also in Henry's many "playful" pranks. Though these pranks often include, or could lead to the death of at least one other character.
Henry's initial jocular nature is twisted, as he offers amnesty to his traitors, contemplating mercy for their actions and then delivers them death sentences in the same sentence; or allowing Fluellen to take his glove, wear a leek and duel with another soldier, who he himself previously picked a fight with.
That leads me to my final conclusions about Henry V. I just don't know. Though he appears as a likeable character, and has many good traits as a "good" king; leading his troops into victory multiple times, and encouraging them through incredibly difficult times, as well as demanding a throne that is rightfully his and invading France - he takes what he wants, with no regard as to the consequences of his actions, and plays with people the way a cat might play with a mouse, or a puppeteer masterfully controls his puppets. And for that reason, I can't make up my mind whether Henry is a good guy, or a really likeable sociopath.
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