The Fall of Pistol and the Commoner’s Burden

Throughout Henry V, Pistol has been known to be the comical relief for the audience. Pistol, as a soldier, is the character that can relate to the common man. What was really interesting in the final act was what happened to Pistol. After the war, Pistol learns that his wife has died and his house has been taken away from him. This makes the audience question whether or not King Henry’s invasion of France actually had a positive effect for the commoner. “To England I will steal, and there I’ll steal; And patches will I get unto these cudgeled scars, And swear I got them in the Gallia wars” (5.1.86-8). Pistol is not talking about the physical scars that he got from the war, but the emotional scars that have been caused by the war. It makes the audience wonder if King Henry didn’t go to war with the French, would Pistol be able to care for his wife and save his home. This does tarnish the reputation of King Henry in the eyes of the commoner. As the common soldier suffers the consequences of the war, King Henry gains a wife.