The Representation of Masculinity and Violence in Henry V and The Rover

The Representation of Masculinity and Violence in total heat V and The scouter Representing violence as an essential shot to gaining pick up, Henry V is dominated by manful power, in this case, with the control of France. The cast is mainly male, containing just four female characters, namely cyprian Quickly, Isabel Queen of France, Katherine her daughter and Alice, the attendant. The chorus sets the scene of war in the prologue, with past should the warlike Harry and That did affright the air at Agincourt. This image is shape up represented when the Archbishop of Canterbury is conferring with the Bishop of Ely about the King, List his last discourse of war, and you shall hear / A fearful battle rendered you in music. (I.1. 43/44), and further on His hours fill up up with riots, (I.1. 56). Henry lays responsibilities on others for his actions, justifying these actions by appealing to the church for answers, a Christian King, putting all his tr ust in God. In his terminology to the Archbishop of Canterbury, Henry threatens the violence of war, as he appeals to him with For God doth know how umteen now in health / Shall drop their blood in approval / Of what your reverence shall incite us to. / Therefore take heed how you impawn our person, / How you vigilant our sleeping sword of war. (I.2.18-22), placing responsibility on Canterbury for the violence that will copy from him usurping the French Sovereignty. Canterbury confirms Henrys entitlement to France with his ancestors having held it, also stating that the Salic law is not upheld in France, this being that No woman shall succeed in Salic land (I.2. 39). He states T... ... horror at this sight, that tells thee, / Thou hast not long to boast thy fateful conquest? (P.235 The wanderer). In conclusion, Henry V seems to maintain gender boundaries, with masculinity being active alongside violence. Whereas The Rover stands between the acce ptance of masculine power and female dominance. Bibliography OWENS, W.R. and GOODMAN, Lizbeth, Ed. Shakespeare, Aphra Behn and the Canon (London Routledge in association with the Open University, 1996). BEHN, Aphra. Oroonoko, The Rover and other works (London Penguin, 1992). SHAKESPEARE, William. Henry v (London Penguin, 1968, 1996). Audio / Visual TV 3 The Authentick & Ironicall Historie of Henry V VC 1 A210 Approaching Literature The Rover Audio Cassette 6 Henry V AC2125 Audio Cassette 7 Henry V AC2126