Topic > The Historical Accuracy of Henry V by William Shakespeare

The Historical Accuracy of Henry V, written by William Shakespeare, is by far one of his most historically accurate works. This play tells the life of the young King Henry V, who ascended the throne after the death of his father Henry IV. These times were very different for England, as Henry V was a noble lord loved by all, while angry factions haunted his father's reign. Shakespeare portrays a fairly accurate account of the historical Henry V, but some parts are inflated or deflated, or conflated to dramatize Henry V as a character suited to a Renaissance audience. The preceding passage was provided so that the student could determine the focus of the Henry V. the essay. The full essay begins below. What is it that wants it? My cousin Westmoreland? No, my handsome cousin. most of the honor. God's will! Please don't wish for one more man. By Jove, I am not greedy for gold, nor do I care to feed myself at my own expense, if men wear such garments; things are not within my desires: but if it is a sin to crave honor, I am the most offensive soul in the world. No, my faith, do not wish an Englishman the peace of God! for one more man, I think, would share from me for the best hope I have. Oh, wish not one more, Rather proclaim it, Westmoreland, through my host, That he who has not courage for this battle, let him go; his passport will be issued and the crowns for the convoy will be put in his bag; we would not die in the company of that man who fears his company in dying with us. This day is called the Feast of Crispiano: he who survives this day, and arrives... middle of paper... version of Henry's court and Henry's camp, the dramatic effect constituted, in its own way, a reasonably accurate portrayal of Henry's successes in England." (Pilkington 1-2) I believe that Shakespeare's Henry V contains more charm and less bigotry than the real Henry V. Shakespeare has created a fairly accurate portrayal of life in this period of time, altering only what he saw fit for his life. Bibliography Hazlitt, William. "Characters of Shakespeare's Works." http://www .dixie.edu/academics/courses/shakespeare/henry5ess.htmHenry V Page 1996http://athena.english.vt.edu/~thompson/henrylit.htmlShakespeare, William Henry V. New York: Penguin Books USA, 1988.