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What are the main themes in Henry V?

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The major themes in Henry V are maturity and responsibility.

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I think a major theme in the play is maturity. Throughout the play, Henry has to make choices that are difficult and at odds with who he was as Prince Hal in the Henry IV plays. The famous example of this, of course, is his treatment of his old friend Falstaff. Whereas Prince Hal admired Falstaff for his love of fun and rejection of responsibility, once he becomes King he rejects Falstaff, a break that leads to the knight's death. One of the things that happens to Henry is that he recognizes that Henry the man and Henry the King, are different people. In order to be a good King, Henry learns that he cannot condone irresponsibility, no matter his personal convictions.

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I believe that a major theme of Henry V is leadership and how it relates to morality. As King, Henry has to make decisions that would be immoral if...

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he were just a common man. He betrays his friends and puts people to death to uphold the law. But since he is King, he is seen as brave, intelligent and incredibly focused. He is a great ruler and is able to inspire many men.

I think another theme is related to the problems within the country and how they may be forgotten when war is waged against France. When the attention of the people is focused elsewhere they will forget about the issues at home and Henry knows this.

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What are the themes of Henry V?

Another crucial theme is war as a source of human--or at least, in Shakespeare's telling, masculine--virtue. It is significant that Henry proves his worth as a leader through his military exploits. If there has ever been a more powerful evocation of military virtue than Henry's St. Crispen's Day speech, then I am not aware of it. The idea that sacrificing oneself for a cause, and for the man fighting next to you, is the ultimate form of nobility suffuses the entire work, and especially in this scene.

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I agree with post #2. Shakespeare talks about what makes a king a powerful leader, but also what makes a good leader. The St. Crispin's Day Speech is one of the most powerful speeches in all of Shakespeare's plays and it gives a true sense of the type of leader Henry has become. Henry IV part 1 is a coming of age story about Henry V's development from a teenage ruffian to someone who accepts his place in the kingdom. Henry V goes through what it takes Henry to gain the trust and respect of those he governs. 

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One major theme of Henry V (and many of Shakespeare's histories) is power.  Henry V makes a claim to the French throne and seeks to secure it.  While Henry is busy grappling over the French throne, a growing opposition questions Henry's right to the English throne, which Henry rightfully inherited after his dad stole it from Richard II).  Through all this political maneuvering, Shakespeare raises important questions about the role of inheritance and succession in the monarchy and what makes a king truly a powerful leader.

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