Henry V and Influence

The political mutiny proposed by the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Bishop of Ely gives a feeling of foreshadowing to what will occur later in the play.  The clergymen wish to derail the nominated laws as it is simply bad for business on their end and, thus, wish to persuade King Henry V to invade France as a rightful heir to distract him (1.1: 40–45).  It is seemed here that their influence and say is seen as quite strong in the eyes of the reader as the talks of changing the course of the story play out.  Reading further on though, I feel as if their influence is negligible and that Henry V is much more intelligent than originally thought after reading just the first scene.

Despite an interpretation on ancient text, I feel as if the clergymen had little influence on a king that’s described as well liked, scholarly, and graceful (1.1: 59–69).  This decision has obviously been on his mind quite frequently as he’s failed to secure France before (1.2: 251–253).  Seizing an opportunity while in sight, Henry V pounces at the sight of disrespect that Dauphin and his ambassadors of France have brought before him.  He goes on further to even state his intentions to invade France, turning Dauphin’s own joke into a metaphor of what’s to come (1.2: 265–269).  Accordingly, Henry V comments on how Dauphin’s own actions will be the reason for France’s downfall, when in reality the decision had already been decided upon with his advisers backing him.  Originally, it seemed to be portrayed that the clergymen were “running the show”, but I feel as if Henry V is still, largely, in command and has his wits with him.