The Role Of Leadership In Henry Iv Part III

Power and Leadership in Shakespeare’s Histories Throughout William Shakespeare’s histories, he explores the concepts of leadership and power, and how the nobility utilize the concepts for political ascendancy and maintaining power as a monarch. In Shakespeare’s plays, Henry IV Part I and Richard III, the contrasting characters of Prince Hal and King Richard demonstrate striking similarities in their pursuit and use of power and leadership. Although Prince Hal is destined to be a good king, and Richard a bad king, the two approach power and leadership quite linearly. Hal and Richard both take similar approaches in rising to power, using leadership roles to deceive, and instilling effective leadership in battle, but each have different motivations that ultimately lead to a good king, Hal, and a bad king, Richard. The two kings pursue power and leadership in similar ways, but Shakespeare implies that their ultimate fate rests in their motivations, Hal driven by glory and fun, Richard by greed and paranoia. The first similarities between Hal and Richard
Analogous to Hal, Richard implements the same strategy when he utters, “From all the impure blots and stains thereof, / For god doth know, and you may partly see, / How far I am from the desire of this” (4.1.234-236). As Richard implies that he doesn’t desire the throne, his transformation into a king will seem more honorable since the people desired his ascent. This is apparent when immediately following his statement, Buckingham proclaims, “Then I salute you with this royal title - / Long Live King Richard, England’s worthy king!” (4.1.239-240). Although both Hal and Richard ascend politically in similar fashions, Hal is driven by a rise to glory for glory’s sake, and Richard is driven by greed for himself. These motivations ultimately drive each character into becoming good and