The Qualities of a Shakespearian King

Garrett Scharff, Oxford College of Emory University

William Shakespeare was able to captivate generations long after his own with his genius plays. A major component
of his most well-read plays include kings and the decisions that they make. While there are not identifiable traits that
all Shakespearian kings share there are key traits that are in direct opposition of what would be considered a good
king in the world outside of his plays, in addition to traits that would be desirable from a king. The plays involving
King Macbeth and King Lear show unwanted traits and are in contrast to the spirit and valor shown by King Henry
V in the Henry V.

The central plot of King Lear is focused on an old king who led his kingdom with wisdom and integrity in his youth
but now must divide up his kingdom between his daughters because he has no sons. The fact that King Lear does not
have any sons to pass on the crown to is the first undesirable trait of King Lear. In most ancient societies a son of the
utmost importance so that the kingdom could be passed down into safe hands. Due to King Lear’s lack of sons he
must divide the kingdom between his three daughters, this situation brings to light another of King Lear’s unsavory
traits. King Lear forces his daughters to express their undying love for him showing his conceitedness. A king
should be a model to his people showing an example for the values and morals of his civilization. The third
unwanted trait in a king was King Lear’s age. As Frazer noted in The Golden Bough the king and the land are one.
When the king is old and barren the land too is old and rotting. For this reason, in myths the king is looked at as a
symbol and an ideal for his people to strive towards.

The theme of the king and the land is carried on in Macbeth when the older King Duncan is usurped by the younger
Macbeth. In the play Macbeth is both power hungry and controlled by fear of the future that was shown to him by
the three witches. This causes him to spiral out of control losing those who he holds most dear and eventually loses
his own life and the kingdom that he strived to take control of. While the traits of Macbeth might offer some insight
into the ideals of the Scottish people in Medieval times they are not attributes that a people would choose for their
king.

The character flaws shown in Macbeth and Lear are held in stark contrast to the example shown by Henry V. The
action of the play occurs in Agincourt France in which Henry V and his fellow countrymen are outnumbered five to
one by the French forces. King Henry who is on the battle field with his fellow countrymen gives an inspiring
speech to rouse his troops to battle. After the battle is fought and his forces had won King Henry showed grace in
the face of victory by allowing the French to collect their dead and mourned for the loss of royal blood on both
sides, English and French. King Henry’s character is to be applauded in the play, for example he is courageous in
the face of total annihilation and leads his people into battle himself. Secondly, his realization that he had won and
decision to give the French to collect and mourn their own losses is to be commended.

Although all of the characters discussed in this essay have been based on historical figures the details of their stories
and lives have been dramatized by Shakespeare. These plays were written for entertainment purposes and it is only
logical that not all the kings written about would be perfect examples to follow. However, the stories of Shakespeare
do give insight into the mythical qualities of these kings. Some of the myths are cautionary tales of how power can
corrupt in the case of Macbeth. How conceitedness can cause ruin as seen in the life of King Lear. Myths can also
provide qualities that should be sought after such as the courageousness and mercy in victory of King Henry V.