Patriotism Henry VI, Part 1

the death of lord talbot , son, john alexandre bida (19th century).

hand-in-hand examination of chivalry play engages examination of patriotism. indeed, critics argue patriotism provided impetus play in first place. england defeated spanish armada in 1588, leading short-lived period of international confidence , patriotic pride—but 1590, national mood 1 of despondency, , such, 1 henry vi may have been commissioned dispel mood: patriotic emotions play shamelessly appeals resonate @ fragile time politically speaking. frightening memories of 1588 spanish armada, or of babington plot of 1586, led execution of mary, queen of scots; concerns on noticeably declining , still unmarried queen elizabeth; worries on catholic recusancy; fear of military involvement in europe, and, disquietingly, in ireland, combine make patriotic response matter of urgency. [the play] bracing attempt stiffen sinews of english in time of danger , deceit.

evidence of seen throughout. example, english seem vastly outnumbered in every battle, yet never give up, , prove victorious. indeed, when lose, suggestion made because of treachery, duplicitous means hardiness overcome. example, during battle of patay (where talbot captured), messenger reports,

the tenth of august last, dreadful lord [i.e. talbot],

retiring siege of orléans,

having full scarce 6 thousand in troop,

by three-and-twenty thousand of french

was round encompass d , set upon:

no leisure had enrank men.

he wanted pikes set before archers;

instead whereof sharp stakes plucked out of hedges

they pitch d in ground confusedly

to keep horsemen off breaking in.

more 3 hours fight continu d,

where valiant talbot, above human thought,

enacted wonders sword , lance.

hundreds sent hell, , none durst stand him;

here, there, , everywhere, enraged slew.

the french exclaimed devil in arms:

all whole army stood agazed on him.

his soldiers, spying undaunted spirit,

À talbot! À talbot! cried out amain,

and rushed bowels of battle.

here had conquest been sealed up

if sir john fastolf had not played coward.

he, being in vanguard placed behind,

with purpose relieve , follow them,

cowardly fled, not having struck 1 stroke.

hence flew general wrack , massacre;

enclos d enemies.

a base walloon, win dauphin s grace,

thrust talbot spear –

whom france, chief assembled strength,

durst not presume once in face.

(1.1.108–140)

here fastolf s betrayal direct cause of english defeat, not fact outnumbered ten-to-one, hit surprise attack or surrounded. notion returned several times, implication each time treachery can account english defeat. example, upon hearing of first loss of towns in france, exeter asks, how lost? treachery used? (1.1.68). upon losing rouen, talbot exclaims, france, thou shalt rue treason thy tears/if talbot survive thy treachery (3.2.35–36). later, when thinking on french campaign, richard asks henry, have not lost part of towns/by treason, falsehood , treachery (5.5.108–109).

h. c. selous s illustration of talbot engaging in battle in act 4, scene 6; plays of william shakespeare: historical plays, edited charles cowden clarke , mary cowden clarke (1830)

however, if english of mind can defeated treachery , betrayal, play presents french in awe of them, bearing begrudging respect them, , fearing strength in battle. such, whilst english attribute every defeat treachery, french opinion of english seems imply perhaps indeed way beat them. example, during siege of orléans:

alenÇon

froissart, countryman of ours, records

england olivers , rolands bred

during time edward third did reign.

more may verified,

for none samsons , goliases

it sendeth forth skirmish. 1 ten?

lean raw-boned rascals – e er suppose

they had such courage , audacity.



charles

let s leave town, hare-brained slaves,

and hunger enforce them more eager.

of old know them; rather teeth

the walls ll tear down forsake siege.



reignier

i think odd gimmers or device

their arms set, clocks, still strike on,

else n er hold out do.

(1.2.29-44)

as such, play presents, extent, english image of in line french image of them, both stressing resoluteness , steadfastness.

another component of patriotic sentiment religious note play strikes. on whole, catholic represented bad, protestant represented good: play s popularity [in 1592] has seen against backdrop of extraordinary efflorescence of interest in political history in last 2 decades of sixteenth century fed self-conscious patriotic protestantism s fascination own biography in history. not nothing part 1 persistently anti-catholic in number of ways despite fact in fifteenth century entire population of england nominally catholic (though not, of course, in 1592). french presented decadently catholic, english (with exception of bishop of winchester) attractively protestant. talbot himself element of this, insofar rhetoric correspondingly protestant. biblical references old testament (a source less used catholics) , speak of stoicism , individual faith. henry v cited example of protestant purity: king blest of king of kings./unto french dreadful judgement day/so dreadful not sight./the battles of lords of hosts fought (1.1.28–31). king of kings phrase used in 1 timothy, 6:15. lords of hosts used throughout old testament, , henry fought lord of hosts compare him warrior king, david, fought lords of hosts in 1 samuel, 25:28.

however, despite obvious celebratory patriotic tone , sense of protestant/english religio-political identity, lamentation death of chivalry, play ambiguous in overall depiction of patriotism. ultimately, play depicts how english lost france, seemingly strange subject matter if shakespeare attempting instil sense of national pride in people. rendered more when 1 considers shakespeare have written how england won france in first place: popularity of armada rhetoric during time of 1 henry vi s composition have seemed ask play henry v, not 1 begins death , proceeds dramatise english loses. in sense then, depiction of patriotism, although undoubtedly strong, not without ambiguity; story told play renders patriotic sentiment found within of hollow victory.