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The quality of mercy is one that is associated with goodness. In comic books, the just hero always shows mercy to the evil, defeated villain. However, while some people may have the leisure of showing mercy whenever the opportunity arises, others must ignore what seems “right” and look at the bigger picture. In Henry V, by William Shakespeare, there are multiple instances where the protagonist, King Henry V of England, must decide whether he can give mercy or not. In fact, Henry’s inconsistency with giving pardon makes it seem like there is no real philosophy on forgiveness in the play; however, there is a very good explanation for why sometimes Henry forgives and forgets and sometimes he pursues justice with vigor. Because of his position as monarch, Henry can only show mercy when his station allows it.
The situations where Henry is merciful to others gives him the appearance of being a compassionate, caring man of the people. The first such instance is in the pardoning of a man who, in a drunken stupor, insulted Henry the previous night. Henry muses, “If little faults proceeding on distemper / Shall not be winked at, how shall we stretch our eye / When capital crimes, chewed, swallowed, and digested, / Appear before us?” (2.2 54 – 57) Henry also shows mercy to the French people. He orders his army to not steal from or attack the French civilians, and in the end of the play he allows the French king to retain the throne.
Henry is also forced to make certain decisions that lack mercy but must be done. First is his rejection of Falstaff upon becoming king. Falstaff dies in act two, but Henry doesn’t even visit his old friend. Another example comes when Henry reveals his knowledge that Cambridge et al are traitors. Though they beg for mercy, he has them hanged for their treason. When Henry demands the surrender of Harfleur, as well as the deaths of the French prisoners during the battle of Agincourt, he seems especially...