Better Late Than Never . . .

So yeah, it's really really rough. I know I have a lot more work to do on it, but we'll see. Thanks for reading!

Shakespeare’s Henry V has been one of the most long-debated characters in literary history. Many argue that Henry is manipulative and controlling and others view him as the uniting force for the British Empire. Henry’s powerful and                      rhetoric has been seen as a manipulative tool that he uses in order to secure his own desires. There is no contesting Henry’s rhetorical power. However, Henry’s motives are often called into question due to his many mistakes and overly ambitious desires, and many debate about Henry’s true motivation and character. While most are familiar with Henry’s St. Crispin’s Day speech, many have neglected to analyze Henry’s conversation with Katharine due to it being seemingly out of place among the rest of the play. However, this does a great injustice to Henry’s character. Henry’s and Katharine’s conversation is truly helpful in understanding Henry and yields different insights into his character that are not found in any other part of the play. By analyzing his motives and intentions with Katharine, one is able to see that because Henry is genuine with her, he may also be genuine with others despite his many mistakes.

            In order to understand Shakespeare’s Henry V and his motives, it is important to look at the context and historical background from which Shakespeare was writing. In sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, women had little independence and were viewed as biologically inferior to men. Because of this, their primary role in society was in the home. It was believed that women who did not engage in regular sexual intercourse would “be at risk of severe physical and mental illness” (SOURCE 60). Thus, the women’s sphere of influence was in the home where she could best serve the functions of society. Single women, in particular, did not have as many choices afforded to them as other members of the community. Excepting the upper class, if a woman could not marry, she was sent as a servant to other households. One man, in particular, Samuel Pepys, took in his unmarried sister on the condition that “she came not as a sister in any respect but as a servant” (SOURCE 61). While this is an extreme case, it was not uncommon for households to take on more distant relatives as servants or apprentices. For the upper class, marriage was also not seen in the romantic terms of today. It was “primarily seen as a legal and economic” arrangement (SOURCE 64). The primary considerations were the financial advantage of the dowry and the social alliance of engaging in higher circles. Individuals could refuse a match, and negotiations often broke down. However,

            Understanding these aspects of sixteenth and seventeenth century society makes Henry’s conversation with Katharine more significant. Henry has just defeated France and negotiations have begun for a peace treaty. Because of the huge loss and defeat that his army just suffered, the King of France is not likely to refuse any of Henry’s terms even the “capital demand comprised / Within the fore-rank of [his] articles,” Katharine (5.2). Henry’s terms are fairly reasonable his proposed marriage with the princess is not an uncommon request. From a political and social standpoint, it would be exceptionally advantageous for him to agree to the marriage. His daughter would receive the security that comes from marrying a king, and he would be assured future protection from any serious aggression as well as the safety of being allied with one of the most powerful kingdoms in Europe. While Katharine would have a choice in the match, the most she ever says against it is, “Is it possible dat I sould love de enemy of France?”, and the most she ever says in favor of it is, “Dat is as it sall please de roi mon pere” (5.2)

            Thus the question that remains is why Henry chooses to woo Katharine in the first place. The King of France is not going to refuse Henry’s terms, and Katharine clearly does not show any strong distaste for marrying him, so why does Henry take the time and effort to convince Katharine of his love? The only motive that remains is that he actually does love her. He is genuine in his feelings for her, and he is trying to do what is best. He spends an inordinate amount of time (much longer than necessary) trying to convince Katharine of his feelings for her and uses every method possible to explain his feelings.

            Throughout his conversation with Katherine, Henry tries to convey his feelings for the princess, but her ignorance of English prevents him from wooing her as readily as he would be able to if she had a grasp of the language. Thus, in order to properly express how much he truly loves her, he is forced to adapt his rhetorical methods more often than in any other speech he gives. By tracking the course of these devices, one is able to see Henry’s earnest desire to express his love rather than a desire to manipulate. Specifically, Henry uses aporia, apodioxis, and epexegesis with Katherine and can be seen in his other speeches as well.

            Aporia is asking oneself or one’s hearers what is the best or most appropriate way to approach something (Burton).  Henry’s first remark to Katherine is him asking how he can express his love for her. He questions, “Fair Katherine, and most fair, / Will you vouchsafe to teach a soldier terms / Such as will enter at a lady’s ear / And plead his love-suit to her gentle heart?” (Henry V 5.2). Because he immediately invokes aporia, Henry is using a method that he thinks will best appeal to Katherine; he asks for her opinion and her help. Normally, Henry could employ this method and his hearer and audience would understand and “play along” such as when he asks Canterbury, “May I with right and conscience make this claim?” (1.2). While this questioning works with his court, it is not the best method to use in speaking with Katherine. She recognizes that her limited knowledge of English would prevent her from truly “teaching [Henry] terms” to help him court a lady, and she plainly tells him that she cannot speak English. Thus, Henry’s first method of expressing his love fails and he is forced to alter his rhetorical approach.

First he He tries French saying, “I will tell the in French; which I am / sure will hang upon my tongue like a new-married / wife about her husband’s neck, hardly to be shook / off.” While Henry is concerned about his inadequacy in speaking French, he still does it. His main concern is not “saving face” in front of the woman he wants to marry. His main concern is expressing his love in such a way for her to understand.