A modern-dress version of Henry V
Once more unto the breach, dear
friends!
Inheriting his father's throne, the young Henry leaves his wild days behind him
and unifies his fractured country by leading his heavily outnumbered army to
glorious victory over the French at Agincourt.
Or...
The English clergy eludes financially crippling legislature by luring Henry into
war against France, where he massacres his prisoners in clear violation of the
rules of warfare.
Shakespeare's script leaves ample room for interpretation as he explores the
nature of greatness, presents heroism as a two-sided coin, and gives us a king
who is neither fully virtuous nor fully evil, but human. Regardless, this is the
story of the man who inherited a broken throne and not only unified his kingdom,
but would have inherited the throne of France as well had he lived.
