Winston Churchill Speaks Henry V

Although Winston Churchill used different words, he delivered an almost identical message to the St. Crispin's Day Speech:

Shakespeare:

"From this day to the end of the world,

But we shall be remembered—

We few, we happy few, we band of brothers;

And gentlemen in England now a-bed

Shall think themselves accursed, they were not here

And hold their manhood cheap whiles any speaks

That fought with us upon Saint Crispin’s Day."

Winston Churchill:
"These are not dark days, these are the greatest days our nation has ever lived; and we must thank God that we have been allowed, each of us according to our stations, to play a part in making these days memorable in the history of our race."

Both speak of the importance of the day, and the glory and pride people who participated in the wars would be able to enjoy.  This  is just one of many examples of ways Shakespeare is easily applied to modern situations.  In King Henry V, Shakespeare writes stirring speeches that not only fire up Henry's army, but also stir the audience.  When I listened to the Saint Crispin's Day Speech, I almost cried.  Although I never would have chosen to read this book on my own, I am very glad that we read it in this class.  It has changed my opinion of Shakespeare's historical plays.

Here is the speech online.  I would like to point out the music that accompanies it.  It starts out with strings, which gives you a sense of tense, melancholy emotion.  As the speech begins to climax, trumpets begin to play, which changes the tense melancholy sound to one filled with hope and power.  It is truly inspirational.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A-yZNMWFqvM