MovieChat Forums > Henry V (1989) Discussion > The Henry V/Katherine scene

The Henry V/Katherine scene

posted 12 years ago by LadyN1
6 replies | jump to latest

This scene while funny and sweet and one my favourite scenes in the play has always felt a little strange to me. Henry has never seen, met or spoken to Katherine before then so how can he be so sure in admitting that he loves her? I mean even Romeo and Juliet, the poster children for impulsive relationships at least shared conversation and flirtation before solidfying their tragic love.

AND if we were going to cynically assume that this wooing scene is just another way of showing Henry's political genius as he can get his way through charm and manipulation as well as violence the motivation behind requesting time alone with her and wooing her at all would be pointless as he already has secured her as his capital demand with the French. There was no need to woo her at all. If anything he should have been working his manipulative charming side on the French king more since the tensions between the two countries will remain and lead to the events of Henry VI.

So can anyone tell me the motivation behind the Henry/ Katherine scene? Is he truly in love with her?

beauty freedom love truth

[–] the_Forcer 11 years ago

Well, that's Shakespeare for you. You gotta have a little bit of romance even in a story about the violent occupation of French lands by an English tyrant.
To be fair, Kate was an attractive princess and it would be much easier for Henry to marry someone who at least likes him a little bit and not just afraid of him.
Plus, it added to the character of Henry being a virtuous prince that Shakespeare tried to create.

[–] MongoGutman 11 years ago

Kate still has to agree to the marriage. Her father can give her away but she still has to say "I do". Henry wants a wife and queen, not a hostage, or someone who, after the marriage might plot and connive against him behind his back. When Henry professes his love he is assuring Kate that their future together will be a happy one.

[–] deanowest 10 years ago

I don't know if this helps but the wooing scene happens five years after the battle of Agincourt. This according to my Shakespeare book. Maybe they exchanged letters?

[–] 10 years ago

[deleted]

[–] viaggio1 10 years ago

I agree with both the Enforcer and Mondo Gutman. Though Kate's hand was part of his demands, I think that Henry still wanted to make sure he had Kate's consent --- part chivalry, part ensuring that she would be an ally rather than an enemy.

J'ai l'oeil AMÃ‰RICAIN !

[–] Charlot47 8 years ago

Without going into too much detail, the French and the English royal families already had many connections and Catherine's older sister Isabelle had been Queen of England.

Why Shakespeare was keen to show Catherine as a woman of character who had to be wooed, rather than a puppet to be married off, is because she was the ancestress of the Tudor dynasty that was reigning over England when he wrote the play.