Week-5 Putting The Pieces Together

                We are told in a private conversation between Cassius, Casca, and Brutus that Caesar,"...fell down... and foamed at mouth..." when offered the crown. This supports what Cassius had already said about Caesar not being a god because he had personally seen him,"...as a sick girl." Caesars falling sick is Shakespeare's way of  previewing what's going to happen to Rome. I think that when Cassius says, "...we have the falling sickness." he might have meant the politicians of Rome were falling sick and that Caesar was the reason they were sick.

Week 5-Antonys Friendship With Ceasar

                  I think the sincerity when Antony, or Antonius as Caesar calls him, says," When Caesar says,"do this,"it is performed." proves beyond a doubt that he has the utmost respect for Caesar. Despite his superior position I believe Caesar returns Antony's respect in full.They also show their friendship when Caesar asks Antony to touch his wife, while running his race, to rid her of her,"...sterile curse..." . In act 1 scene 2 Caesar privately shares his concerns about Cassius with Antony who replies,"Fear him not..."and continues with his own opinion both listening to the other adding trust to what I have already established as respect and friendship.

??Is Henry The Mirror Of All Christian Kings??

                 To answer the title Question we must first establish what we(or I) believe "mirrors" true meaning is. Does it mean "image"(...is the image of all Christian kings) or "opposite of"(...is the opposite of all Christian kings), being a mirror would logically make it the "opposite of", even though people generally would assume otherwise, so we'll stick with that. Now comes the hard part of answering the question.
                  In a nut shell Henry is foolishly convinced that France belongs to him and then goes to war with them because of his temper, also telling his solders to treat the French viciously and threatens worse if the French don't give him what he wants. Henry's temper results in an unnecessary war, killing the French POW's, and unfairly inheriting France. I don't think that King Henry is a bad person, nor a bad king, he did overcome his drunkenness and did his best as king. However considering himself deserving of what he gains and blameless in the casualties is going a little to far. No he is not the mirror of all Christian kings.
                  

Give ME What I Want

                          Henry's "just demands", consisting of Katherine's hand in marriage and several smaller requests, are presented, after the battle of Agincourt, to the French King. He made sure they were accompanied by a volley of threats, just in case. The demands don't exactly qualify as "just" being that he wants things that he naively believes are his by right, when they're actually the Frenchys. At least King Henry and the King of France see that more war is pointless and agree on the terms before King Henry makes good of his threats.

Virtues Of Pistol

                      Pistol has familiarity with French, but he doesn't actually understand enough to converse with the French in any way. This is proven when Pistol accidentally captures a French soldier and unsuccessfully tries to negotiate a ransom from the soldier. Pistol tells the soldier that he wants money. While Pistol is demanding money, the soldier is trying to beg for mercy. Pistol misunderstands the soldier and thinks he is offering inadequate amounts. That is until the boy uses his unpolished yet exceptional understanding of French to put an end to the confusion.
                      Now to compare the POW treatment differences of Pistol and King Henry. It may seem that Pistol is being more merciful when he says, "As I suck blood, I will some mercy show." and frees his prisoner whereas King Henry executes his. However, if you consider Pistol's earlier quote, "Bid him prepare, for I will cut his Throat," I think that shows Pistol is just greedier not more merciful than King Henry, though he might be.

The Dauphin's Obsession With His Equestrian

                 Though I of all people should understand having a noticeable attachment to a horse, the Dauphin takes "attachment" to an entire new level. After comparing his steed to a Pegasus(a flying horse from Greek mythology) he claims that "It is a beast for Perseus"(the most famous of the demigods also from Greek mythology). These outlandish and arrogant boasts coupled with his  interrupting the Constable and Orleans during their more modest boasting paints a picture of a selfish, arrogant, and rude prince. The Constable makes it clear he feels that way whereas Orleans is more neutral in the mater. However, looking at it from the Dauphin's point of view, England has proven that God is most likely on their side and the French are readying to battle against them.  Perhaps the Dauphin is nervous and this is his way of dealing with his nerves.  It is unlikely, but it is another way to consider the situation. 

My Thoughts On The Dauphins Opinion Of Henry

                   The Dauphin has made it fairly obvious that he possesses a lowly opinion of King Henry, hence his gift of tennis balls to Henry symbolizing his youth and childishness. Also, he happily proclaims in front of the French court  that it was he who sent the tennis balls to Henry; admitting that he craved for "nothing but odds with England". His actions revel that has no respect for, not only England and not only Henry, but both all at once.
                   I believe to fully understand the Dauphin you must you must put yourself in his shoes. Imagine hearing for many years about an English prince by the name of Henry who spends all his time in a bar participating with its inhabitants in their drunkenness, never tending to his princely duties or serving his people in any way. Being a prince yourself, you can't stand the selfishness and lack of maturity that Prince Henry is displaying. Despite your being French and not caring for the English you can't help but feel a little sorry for them when the repulsive Prince Henry becomes king. Then you suddenly hear that the King Henry has made a miraculous change for the better.
                    In that position I know I would be skeptical as to Henry's true ambitions. Really, the Dauphin shouldn't have been making such opinions since he himself was young and not the 'mature' prince he thought.  This is proven when he discards the Constable's wise words without second thoughts. This set aside, the Dauphin's opinions of Henry are still understandable, but wrong none the less.