Henry V is Shakespeare on Leadership. Shakespeare celebrates this English monarch, showing what makes him a good leader. Henry expels justice and mercy, listens, motivates, and is gravely aware of his responsibilities as king. Young Henry is offered the chance to rally Great Britain (England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales) with a common cause and prove himself: by claiming and conquering France. Without common cause his nobles can quickly quarrel among themselves and challenge the king's authority. King Henry can claim France because his grandmother was a French princess, however, the French have a Salique law which prohibits the French crown from being inherited through the female line, but the law is interpreted to only block Germans from Salique land from claim the throne. Henry is a good listener, he is well advised because he takes advice from his nobles and the bishop of Canterbury. The study of law is dominated by the Catholic church in the 15th century. The bishop informs the king that he is indeed entitled to the throne of France. But an earlier scene reveals that the bishop has interests of his own. “Can I make this statement with reason and awareness?” Henry asks. “It's a shame on my head.” replies Canterbury. Henry thus receives the approval and blessing of the church with the warning that, since the French do not think alike about the Salique law, France can only be taken by force. His advisor and uncle Exeter says, "Your brothers and the kings of the monarchs of the earth all expect you to wake up, as the former lions of your blood did." meaning that a lot is expected of Henry and he must live up to his ancestor's reputation. Westmoreland Henry's cous... paper center... of responsibility is something every leader must face and deal with. Henry turns to God, praying “O God of battles! Steal the hearts of my soldiers; he does not place them in fear…” Henry is asking God to make his soldiers fearless. Whether his men were fearless or not, they resisted. Shakespeare revealed Henry V's leadership skills through indirect characterizations in scenes of this epic play. Henry possesses leadership skills such as listening, knowing when to grant mercy and justice, how to motivate, and was also aware of the immensity of his responsibilities as king. All of Henry's leadership skills can be translated into the modern world. The Complete Works of Shakespeare, edited by Hardin Craig © 1961, http://lilt.ilstu.edu/cvarne2/teaching%20business%20ethics.pdf, http:/ /www.sparknotes.com/shakespeare/henryv/canalysis. html