by Chris Alexion, Copyright December 31, 2006, all rights reserved. 198 views
I'm a fan of Shakespeare's Henry V. When I was in high school I memorized the St. Crispin's Day speech and address before Harfleur, and I still find them robust and inspiring. I'm doubtful, however, as to the ultimate justice of Henry's war on France. Shakespeare himself seems ambivalent on this point; his prologue claims unworthiness to depict the warlike Harry assuming the port of Mars, but later scenes reveal ecclesiastical manipulation as a primary cause of the war. For what it's worth, Peter Leithart sees Shakespeare's tone here as more patriotic than critical. Leithart's comment is particularly relevant in the context of the war in Iraq:
-----After that kind of jingoist opening, the audience is no doubt as fired to fight Frenchmen as Henry's own men after his Crispin's Day speech. At least we know: France is full of vice; England of virtue; and my goodness shouldn't Virtue just cross the Channel and trounce Vice? And why stop at the Channel? If France is full of vice, surely Africa, India, the South Sea islands must be cesspools as well, just waiting to be cleared by virtuous Englishmen.
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