Act 2, Scene 2 of William Shakespeares Henry :: Papers

Act 2, Scene 2 of William Shakespeare's Henry How does Shakespeare present Henry (and, by extension, England) in this scene? Refer in your answer to Shakespeare's language, stagecraft and sense of audience, as well as the two-filmed versions you have seen. Shakespeare presents Henry using a variety of language and stagecraft, in Act two, scene two, Shakespeare shows how Henry has a bad temper, and can go off into towering rages. First comes to the unmasking of the conspirators Cambridge, Scroop and Gray. Shakespeare uses a lot of exquisite dramatic art and a sense of the effect of irony. He makes Henry only seem to be concerned for the good of his kingdom. One of the personalities that Henry has is his liking for games. He plays with Scroop and the other traitors, handing them letters that they think are promotions when in reality they are letters to inform them that Henry knows their secret. Shakespeare's use of language was complex as he referred to biblical references and historical references through out the play. When he gets to Scroop, Henry stops using the 'we' pronoun. Shakespeare uses many linguistic devices, for example rhetorical questions. "Wouldst thou have practiced on me for my use?" This makes a difference in the tone of voice, and also in its structure, otherwise, all Henry would be doing is making statements. He also uses a pun during the first part of the speech, when addressing Cambridge. "This man, for a few light crowns hath lightly conspiredà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦". Shakespeare used a pun for a slight contrast in the atmosphere, otherwise everything in his speech would be is very serious. Henry also uses personification: "Treason and murder ever kept together, as two yoke-devils sworn to each other's purposeà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦" This technique is used as Henry can only imagine Scroop had been possessed, and not that he did this by his own choice. With this metaphor of a demon, he refers to him as betraying a good friend and because of this, sending him to death is what a king has to do.