Henry V and Mark 9:23

Abstract

According to Naseeb Shaheen, of the 120 allusions to Mark’s gospel in Shakespeare’s plays only four appear in Henry V.1 However, Shaheen does not record that King Henry also alludes to Mark’s gospel just after his St Crispin’s Day speech before the Battle of Agincourt. Henry’s speech emboldens his men by appealing not only to their patriotism and sense of brotherhood but also to their mental preparedness. Henry asserts that his honour of fighting on this day is such that he would not have ‘one man more … share from me / For the best hope I have’, or in Bevington’s gloss, this is not a day he ‘would exchange for my hope of eternal life’ (IV.iii.33 n).2 Henry’s hope of victory is equally balanced by his rejection of fear: ‘We would not die in that man’s company / That fears his fellowship to die with us’ (IV.iv.38–39). The king then demonstrates the assuredness he has just urged on his men when Salisbury informs him that ‘The French are bravely in their battles set, / And will with all expedience charge on us.’ Henry confidently replies, ‘All things are ready if our minds be so’ (IV.iii.69–71), a statement that does not appear in the chronicles of Hall and Holinshed.