We had a discussion about this, and many of my classmates concluded that Henry V was Machiavellian (doing what he needed to to gain/keep power, willing to pretend to be religious/honorable/whatever for that reason). According to that reading, all of his allusions to Scripture, record of his prayers, kindness to subjects/people he conquers, are all schemes to gain affection and power. "Mirror of all Christian kings" could be read as mirror image (i.e., opposite).
I started the debate on the other side (I liked the fellow and it was my first reading of Henry V), but by the end I think I was somewhat convinced by them. :)
Cervantes, a contemporary of Shakespeare, describes Don Quixote as the "mirror of chivalry" which, in the case of DQ, could definitely be a sarcastic reference.
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We had a discussion about this, and many of my classmates concluded that Henry V was Machiavellian (doing what he needed to to gain/keep power, willing to pretend to be religious/honorable/whatever for that reason). According to that reading, all of his allusions to Scripture, record of his prayers, kindness to subjects/people he conquers, are all schemes to gain affection and power. "Mirror of all Christian kings" could be read as mirror image (i.e., opposite).
ReplyDeleteI started the debate on the other side (I liked the fellow and it was my first reading of Henry V), but by the end I think I was somewhat convinced by them. :)
Cervantes, a contemporary of Shakespeare, describes Don Quixote as the "mirror of chivalry" which, in the case of DQ, could definitely be a sarcastic reference.
ReplyDeleteHmmm...both interesting thoughts. Thanks you!
ReplyDeleteOnce I dig myself out of the reorganization of my room I really want to think through this some more.
Thanks!