y V as Putin // John Hinderaker

God save us: Henry V wasn’t an English hero, but a ‘power hungry imperialist’.

The Globe’s most recent production of William Shakespeare’s Henry V will show that Henry V was an imperialist power-hungry rather than an English hero.

Instead of praising a “bandof brothers” that defeated the French at Agincourt, the new staging will highlight the “devastating costs” of Henry’s “bombastic pursuit for power”. ***

Holly Race Roughan will direct the play. She said that the play was “the pinnacle in English mythologising, white supremacy and toxic masculinity”.

White supremacy? Why? Why? The picture does not contain any non-whites. True, there is masculinity on display. This was once considered a positive thing.

She spoke to The Stage and described her vision for the new production. “I felt like a child discovering the dark roots of English nationalism.”

Some would argue that English nationalism is a powerful force for good over the centuries. However, a left-leaning 21st century eye can only see its roots as “dirty.”

Details of the staging and set design have yet to be revealed, but Race Roughan has promised a “very darker” version of Henry V. Michelle Terry, the Globe’s artistic director, said that the production will explore whether the king was an imperialist aggressor towards France.

It is absurd to impose current political ideas on the dynastic politics from the 15th century. But when has that ever stopped liberals?

Now-wait for it-Ukraine!

She said that the play was a 400-year-old presence, asking us questions about war, power, ambition, which was again relevant after the invasion of Ukraine.

***

The Globe released a statement explaining the relevance of Shakespeare’s play. It said: “Shakespeare’s plays are packed full of so many universal ideas that they remain fascinatingly relevant to modern society hundreds of years later. Sometimes, however, one of his plays speaks so directly to the present moment that it takes your breath away.

“Staging Henry V against the backdrop of Queen Elizabeth II’s passing, Brexit, and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine feels like one these moments.”

Yes, Brexit. Brexit is important. Think about it, if England had won 100 Years War, it might not have been necessary.