RE3: Henry V - Opening Remarks

And you know what else? I’m reminded of the TWO proclamations that Henry makes in his very public speeches, to wit: “He today that sheds his blood with me / Shall be my brother; be he ne’er so vile, / This day shall gentle his condition” which itself is an echo of the Once more into the breach, dear friends speech – “There is none of you so mean and base that hath not noble luster in your eyes.”

The Christian story is all about unknown and ordinary people suddenly coming to have epic/historical significance. That Peter, this fisherman from Galilee, is involved in a world-changing narrative when he denies Christ three times as was prophesied, has no antecedent in western lit. Right? Previously, all people who do great and heroic and epic things are ALREADY great before they do these deeds. Henry seems to be playing on the Christian theme of the common man RISING to greatness…

Derek