Henry V and Modern Leadership

It is often surmised that because of his innovation with words and his understanding of the world and human nature, that William Shakespeare was ahead of his time. As such, his plays are often as relatable today as they were in the 1400s because the universal themes, motifs, and character traits that he develops are timeless. One feature of Shakespeare’s writing that makes his characters so relatable is their humanity. Not always are the villain and the hero crystal clear; the hero is not always perfect, and the villain is not always inherently evil. Rather, humanity pervades his works and creates real characters.

Henry V varies greatly from Henry IV, both in character and leadership skills. Based on the characteristics set forth by our own United States military, Henry V is not just an entertaining hero and leader to read about or watch on stage from the 1400s, but his character possesses those qualities that define a leader in our modern times, as well.

On stage, Henry V is the type of leader that makes one well up with pride. His most inspirational speech, his “band of brothers” (Henry V 4.3.62) monologue has been played in locker rooms, to troops heading into battle, and echoed for motivation across the centuries (Leadership para. 2). But we know, in today’s society, that a great speech does not a great leader make. Today, most of our leaders have speech writers, and even Henry V himself states that “men of few words are the best men” (Henry V 1.2). So if great speeches into battle do not a great leader make, what does make a great leader today, centuries since Henry V invaded France?

The United State Air Force has set out an official list of eight characteristics that define what they believe, in the perspective of war and life, to define a truly transformational leader. These traits include emotional stability—the ability to tolerate high levels of stress, dominance, enthusiasm, conscientiousness, social boldness, tough-mindedness, self-assurance, and a control over compulsiveness (USAF, 2017, para. 4). When I compared Henry V’s character through the lens of Shakespeare’s writing, I found that Henry V—though flawed like all humans—would also make a great leader in today’s society, as well, rendering him a timeless pillar and beacon of literary leadership and protagonistic characteristics.

Emotional Stability

The Air Force describes emotional stability as the ability to “tolerate frustration and stress, well-adjusted and have the psychological maturity to face difficult tasks” (USAF, 2017, para. 4). Without question, Henry V shows emotional stability, particularly when you compare him to his father. Henry IV’s appearances, though he is not old even at the start of the play, have been disintegrated by worry, feelings of guilt and overall emotional instability (Shakespeare, Henry IV, 1.1.17). Contrarily, Henry V time and again places him in situations of high stress, and he always makes the best decision for the country, even though not all his choices are popular with society or could be viewed as heinous by a citizen. Further, we learn through the first act that Henry V is not a character who is presented with no background. The clergy in Act 1 tell us that in his youth, Henry V was heavily involved in “riots, banquets, and sports” (Shakespeare, Henry V, 1.57) and that when considering a future as a celebrated king, “the courses of his youth promised it not” (Henry V, 1.1.25). This gives the audience the context to understand that King Henry V has already matured, thus confirming that he is capable of mature emotions, as well, since he walked away from the partying of his youth to lead.

Dominance

Henry V shows inarguable dominance over his enemies. Defined as “competitive, decisive” (USAF para. 4), leaders that exert dominance usually enjoy overcoming challenges and deal with others in an assertive manner. First, Henry V always positions himself to get what he wants, employing a utilitarian methodology to use his resources (even people) to achieve his goals. He uses the clergymen’s donations to fund his war so that he may claim the French throne. He also has the ability to pressure France into war. He instills fear in his enemies, as we saw in Act II, when Charles, King of France, was concerned about entering into war with King Henry. His son, Charles VII, underestimates King Henry and believes him to still be idle and wanton, but the King, as well as the Constable of France are worried and fearful of Henry’s fierce might (Henry V 2.4.14). Second, we can see Henry’s dominance in his personal life. Up until this time, masculinity was shown through your bloodline. However, Shakespeare uses Henry V to shift this idea of dominance in our personal lives by defining masculinity “as a result of achievement or conquest in battle or love” (Fredgant para 1.). Henry doubles down on this definition by seducing Katherine and marrying her, clinching his control over France (para. 2). Today, with an emphasis on female autonomy, this scene is a little forceful, but in Shakespeare’s time it was seen as romantic and organic. Either way, his ability to utilize his resources to dominate his enemies still easily falls in line with the Air Force’s definition of dominance in a proper leader.

Enthusiasm

Enthusiasm is not only found in Henry V’s character but is also one of his strongest suits. His facility and dominance over words is what encourages his entire nation to head into battle. The Air Force clarifies enthusiasm as “optimistic…expressive and energetic” (USAF, para. 5). His words and enthusiasm and charisma are what woo a foreign-speaking woman to marry him with almost no introduction. The most compelling example of Henry V’s enthusiasm is for his men, for victory, and for the nobility of war. His inspirational speech shows his passion for his role as King and his energetic optimism heading into battle. Drawing out his language from his speech on the eve of battle:

He that outlives this day, and comes safe home, will stand a tip-toe when the day is named…He that shall live this day, and see old age…then will he strip his sleeve and show his scars, and say 'These wounds I had on Crispin's day.' Old men forget: yet all shall be forgot, But he'll remember with advantages…from this day to the ending of the world, but we in it shall be remember'd; We few, we happy few, we band of brothers; For he to-day that sheds his blood with me shall be my brother. (Henry V 4.3.20-63)

This passage exudes hope, inspiring men to lay aside their fear and focus on the honor that they will have as old men who fought for their country and the bonds between them as brothers. Further, it alludes to a Biblical scripture that man military personnel find endearing regarding friendship in battle. John 15:13 states that there is “no greater love than this: to lay down one’s life for a friend” (English Standard Version Bible). Henry V obviously has a verve, as shown in this famous speech, for his conquests, goals, and his soldiers.

Conscientiousness

Conscientiousness, as described by the Air Force, is a domination is character by “a sense of duty…a high standard of excellence, and an inward desire to do one’s best” (USAF para. 6) in addition to “a need for order and self-discipline” (para. 6). As mentioned before, Henry V has developed self-discipline as evidenced by his ability to grow out of his childish and foolish ways. Further showing his maturity and standard of character and excellence, asking Canterbury, regarding the war, “May I with right and conscience make this claim?” (Henry V, 1.2.96). He has an “apparent need to legitimate his actions, illustrate his maturity (Muller-Wood 361), confirming that Canterbury’s suggestion that Henry is not wild and out of control but is “full of grace and fair regard” (Henry V, 1.1.22). Logistically, we see Henry’s organization when Canterbury “dispels the King’s doubts by comparing England to a well-ordered beehive (Muller-Wood 361) and comments on his ability to “multi-task” (Henry V 2.2.183-203), a term often used in modern society for someone who is organized and has many responsibilities to manage at once.

Social Boldness

Nothing says social boldness more than marrying a woman you just met. Henry V uses lust as a “tool of power” (Fredgant para. 1) and has the charisma to pull it off. Many scholars, due to his articulation with words and charm refer to Henry V as a “charismatic hero” (Muller-Wood 356) and Henry’s social status is also a matter of great concern as the King’s advisors “Canterbury, the Bishop of Ely and the Duke of Exeter all remind Henry of his obligation to the line of valiant war heroes from which he is descended” (363). Beyond this, Henry V displays “s a particularly successful case of shared risk taking across social boundaries” (364) as his speech leading into battle creates a “kind of “horizontal comradeship” across class and ethnic boundaries” (364) which was unknown prior to Henry V. Social boldness is something that many leaders have to face in order to progress a group toward new innovative and progressive ideals. The Air Force defines social boldness as “spontaneous risk-takers” (USAF para. 8) who are “responsive to others” (para. 8) and push boundaries.

Tough Mindedness

The best leaders must be just and make tough decisions, laying aside their personal emotions. The best example of this—whether you agree or disagree with the choice—was when Henry chose to have Bardolph hanged. Henry had told his troops not to pillage the town, but to retain integrity, or they would be hung. When Bardolph stole from a French church, Henry had to make the hard decision. Many argue that “the king may be more concerned with his own reputation than with whether his decision was morally right or wrong, suggested Adelman, but he is a young king who needs to show his toughness” (Wharton para. 27). However, the Air Force defines tough mindedness as being “low in sentimental attachments” and “comfortable with criticism”, so if Henry V made this choice about Bardolph, he did so firmly and without concern with his emotions, which does align with the formal Air Force definition.

Self-Assurance

One line that displays Henry V’s mental toughness is derived from his speech before battle when he states that “all things are ready if in our minds be so” (Henry V 4.3.73). He is encouraging his troops that their will to win is what is most important, self-confidence is their greatest asset. We know that “heads of organizations will always have to make some hard decisions that will cause them and others pain” (Corrigan 231) and “Henry decides to demonstrate that ruthlessness at the very beginning of his reign” (241) when he executes the three traitors working for the French without mercy. Henry always has resolve and confidence that he will overcome his enemies and reach his goals. We can also see Henry V’s confidence grow as the play progresses, relying less and less on his advisors and standing on his own two feet as a leader and king.

Control Over Compulsiveness

Leaders are not out of control, making knee-jerk decisions. Leaders are “controlled and very precise in interactions” (USAF para. 9) as well as “aware, careful, and abundant in foresight” (para. 9), and we can see this within the play in regard to Henry V. We can see his militaristic foresight when he takes advantage of France’s civil wars and riots to strike for the crown. He also offered France what would today be perceived as a “burn” when he sends tennis balls to France, explaining them as an object lesson about his contempt (Sommerville para. 8). The note attached reads:

We are glad the Dauphin is so pleasant with us; his present and your pains we thank you for: when we have matched our rackets to these balls, We will, in France, by God's grace, play a set shall strike his father's crown into the hazard. (Henry V 1.2)

Henry proves himself to be calculated and strategic in his goal-setting and does not fly off the handle with temper or guilt the way his father did. He has developed across the generations as a leader who plays the long game to succeed.

If you use modern leadership characteristics to determine is Henry V displaced to our times would be a solid leader, the answer is yes. He shows, through Shakespeare’s lens, to possess evidence of all eight of the outlined basic leadership traits set forth by the United States Air Force. He is relatable as a human because he makes questionable cut-throat decisions but acts as he sees justly and has the ability to use his words as unifiers, which is a surprisingly democratic ability for the 1400s. All in all, Henry V has taken great strides of character from the generation before him, and shows to be a true leader in character, as well as in results on the battlefield.

Works Cited

Bible, The. The English Standard Version. 2017, http://biblehub.com/john/15-13.htm. Accessed 28 April 2017.

Corrigan, Paul. Shakespeare on Management: Leadership Lessons for Today’s Managers. Kogan Page Limited. London, England: 1999.

Fredgant, Emma. “Courtship the King Henry V Way.” Clarimont Center for Engagement with Primary Sources, 19 July 2014, http://blogs.libraries.claremont.edu/cceps/2015/07/courtship-the-king-henry-v-way.html. Accessed 30 April 2017.

Knowledge @ Wharton. “What Shakespeare’s ‘Henry V’ Tells Us About Leadership, Motivation, Wooing and Hanging.” Wharton – University of Pennsylvania, 13 Oct 2010, http://knowledge.wharton.upenn.edu/article/what-shakespeares-henry-v-tells-us-about-leadership-motivation-wooing-and-hanging/. Accessed 30 April 2017.

Muller-Wood, Anja. “No Ideology without Psychology: The Emotional Effects of Shakespeare’s Henry V.” Style 46(3), Fall 2012. Print.

Shakespeare, William. Henry IV.

Shakespeare, William. Henry V.

Sommerville, J.P. “Henry V”. University of Wisconsin, https://faculty.history.wisc.edu/sommerville/123/123%20172%20HenryV.htm. Accessed 30 Apr 2017.