In Henry V, Shakespeare dramatizes England's invasion of France
and King Henry's success at the Battle of Agincourt (1415). Does
the play glorify war and justify Henry's actions, or does it
reveal the horrific realities of medieval warfare? These are
questions that often divide audiences and literary critics, but
there's plenty of evidence to support both views. Shakespeare
portrays a wide range of attitudes in the play – from Henry's
aggressive stance that war will bring England honor and glory,
to the common soldiers' skeptical obedience and desire to simply
make it home safely. Regardless of whether or not we believe
Shakespeare glorifies Henry's invasion of France, one thing is
certain – Henry V shows us that warfare (justifiable or not) has
some devastating consequences that go beyond the horrific field
casualties to generations of families: "the widows' tears, the
orphans' cries, / The dead men's blood, the pining maidens'
groans, / For husbands, fathers, and betrothed lovers" (2.4.2).
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