The role of the King in
Henry V is complex. He is a man whose ambition is driving him to turn his back on the friends of his playboy youth as he embarks on the process of establishing himself as a worthy leader of his country. The war with France is both a means to achieve kingship and its greatest test. Cecilia Noble, speaking in character as the publican Mistress Quickly, notes the change in
young Prince Hal , and pays a double-edged tribute to his leadership skills.
Becoming King involves tough choices. A key moment in his transformation is on the eve of the expedition’s departure for France. Uncovering a plot to betray him he orders the execution of Earl of Cambridge, Grey of Northumberland and his closest friend and adviser, Lord Scroop of Masham. Adrian Lester who plays Henry says playing the part has given him an appreciation of Henry’s
strengths and weaknesses as a King. For
Director Nicholas Hytner the play is many-layered, offering us Henry’s
leadership virtues , but undermining them with a display of the flaws in his character.
The
Rehearsal Diary gives a revealing insight into how deeply Adrian Lester took on his role, filling time by leading the company in military drill one day when Director, Nicholas Hytner was late for rehearsal. Henry's strength as a wartime leader, reflected in speeches by Winston Churchill during World War 2, is neatly summed up by Faz Singhateh speaking in character as Henry’s cousin, the Earl of Westmorland: Henry
leads from the front .
But Shakespeare shows us Henry's true greatness as a leader only when he seems most certain of defeat. With a demoralised and outnumbered army, some like Michael Williams (played by David Kennedy) doubtful of the justice of their cause, facing a seeming rout at Agincourt, Henry addresses his troops. He urges them to return to battle in the speech: “
Once More Unto The Breach .” Their first reaction is to groan loudly. Nicholas Hytner explains they are shell shocked, “all living on the edge of chaos and hysteria.” It is the sheer force of Henry’s rhetoric and charisma, which persuades them to risk their lives a second time. As actor Rupert Wickham says, Henry puts
fire in the belly . His reward is victory and the throne of France.
