Henry V Lesson Plan

What arguments does this Act stage for and against monarchy?

In Scene 1, Henry engages in a debate over war and monarchy with the commoners Williams and Bates. Bates wishes that the King were only risking his own life in the battle and Williams believes that if, as is likely, they lose the battle, the King will have blood on his hands. His soldiers had no choice but to obey him and their deaths will mar his spirit. These men will not have a fair chance at salvation because they die in battle. Henry argues that in fact there's no telling whether their deaths on the battlefield would be any more damning than their sins in civilian life and soldiers have many motivations for...