Redeeming Time: Henry V’s Transition from ‘Comedian’ to King

Inspired by the remarkable personage of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and his transition from comedian and actor to an inspirational leader admired around the world, this paper will examine the similar fate of Hal/Henry V in Shakespeare’s second Henriad. The focus will be on Henry’s comic “career”, prior to ascending the throne, “slumming” with Falstaff and his followers, in particular in Henry IV Part One. There will be an attempt to demonstrate how Henry, contrary to expectations, makes profitable use of his time to “learn the ropes”. Henry in his interactions with Falstaff and others employs a wide range of comic techniques: jokes, insult comedy, imitations, political satire, etc. In contrast, however, with Zelensky who has bravely rallied his country and inspired the world with resistance to a larger aggressor in a defensive war, Henry V does the exact opposite invading neighbouring France on the most flimsy of pretexts. Although lionized in many productions as a great military leader, icon of Englishness and man of the people, this paper will argue for his ultimate failure as a leader, failing to heed the lessons of his comic “apprenticeship”, in stark contrast to Zelensky.