Lexi Youngren

4/29/19

E342

Marvin, William

Henry V
“War is his beadle. War is his vengeance. So that here
men are punished for before-breach of the King’s laws in
now the King’s quarrel. Where they feared the death, they
have borne life away; and where they would be safe, they per-
ish. Then if they die unprovided, no more is the King guilty
160of their damnation than he was before guilty of those impi-
eties for the which they are now visited. Every subject’s duty
is the King’s, but every subject’s soul is his own. Therefore
should every soldier in the wars do as every sick man in his
bed: wash every mote out of his conscience. And dying so,
165death is to him advantage; or not dying, the time was bless-
edly lost wherein such preparation was gained. And in him
that escapes, it were not sin to think that, making God so free
an offer, he let him outlive that day to see his greatness and
to teach others how they should prepare” (4.1, line. 155-169).

Gloss #3

The play King Henry V is undoubtedly one of Shakespeare’s most memorable historical

plays because of the clever language that is used during the plays most significant moments. The

play’s theme of discipline is heavily displayed throughout the entire piece. This particular quote

brings the full play to life, untimely revealing the history that was about to unfold. Alongside of

this quote being extraordinarily crucial to the theme, it is also deeply heart-wrenching in the way

that it provokes war and death.

Religion is always a prominent theme that is present throughout all of Shakespeare’s

plays, but in this particular play (and much like others), it is a wake-up-call in the climax. The

phrase, “War is his beadle” is ironic in the sense that beadle is often referred to as a policeman,

or the law. In this line it can be referred to as a warrant; a warrant to God. War is God’s warrant
to judge whether or not if one is worthy of going to heaven. It is his way of revenge to get back

at those that chose a to live a sinful life! King Henry is giving Williams a dose of reality. He

draws on his memory of his own father. He knows that his father died without repenting his sins

because he was blindsided by his own death. Earlier in the play Canterbury speaks, “The breath

no sooner left his father’s body/ But that his wildness, mortified in him, / Seemed to die too. Yea,

at that very moment/ Consideration like an angel came/ And whipped th’ offending Adam out of

him, / Leaving his body as a paradise/ T’ envelop and contain celestial spirits. (1.1.27-33). War

may be a place for death, but to God, war is a place where all sins are accounted for, and decide

one’s fortune. If those that participate and fail in battle, they better hope that they had repented

because if not, those sins will stick with them for all of eternity just like King Henry V’s father’s

sins did.

The troops at this point in the play are using King Henry’s decisions as a way to excuse

their sins. In other words, if the troops die, it is not because of their own faults, but rather King

Henry should have never thrown them into such a dangerous situation knowing that they were

the underdogs. King Henry rebuttals William’s comment, “But if the cause be not good, the King

himself hath a heavy reckoning to make when all those legs and arms and heads chopped off in

battle shall join together at the latter day…” (4.1, 125-128), with “Every subject’s duty is the

King’s, but every subject’s soul is his own” (4.1, 167-168). This is scary. There is no going back

in battle, and especially when your life is literally on the line. King Henry is saying that it does

not matter whether they win or lose tomorrow, because one’s fate is bound to be destined. Those

that die and go to hell will go to hell because of their own sins from their individual errors, not

because of King Henry’s decision to send his troops into battle tomorrow.
 The last piece of this quote state, “… And in him/ that escapes, it were not to sin to think

that, making God so free/, an offer he let him outlive that day to see his greatness and to teach

others how they should prepare” (4.1, 166-169). He tells Williams that those that make it out

alive should be infinitely grateful, but as soon as they are released, they better go repent and live

a good life. They should set an example and show others what it means to be a good Christian.

Repent all sins because you never know when your last day may be.

Contextually, this quote is essential in this play because earlier on in the play Henry V

gives a speech about what it means to die for your country, “On, on, you noblest English, /

Whose blood is fet from fathers of war-proof, / Fathers that, like so many Alexanders, / Have in

these parts from morn till even fought, / And sheathed their swords for lack of argument.

Dishonor not your mothers” (3.2, 17-22). King Henry tells his troops that honor is what they

fight for. Does honor not meant to be held of such a high esteem/ respect? In this generation

respect comes with a pure soul. Regardless of how one dies, washing away all of your sins is the

only way to live a peaceful life, and in these terms, the only way to hold true honor is to have a

pure soul, and to serve your duties to both your king and your soul, “Every subject’s duty is the

King’s, but every subject’s soul is his own” (4.1, 167-168).

With all of the odds defied against King Henry and his troops, it is his composure and self-

discipline that gives this battle and his troops hope for success. If the troops and his people did

not trust him before, they should now. Henry V is a wise man that is passionate about his

country. This quote goes out of the way to reveal that.