Shakespeare for the Stately

Shakespeare for the Stately

After reading and discussing Henry V last week in class, I was thinking quite a bit about leadership and royalty. Whether you agree with Henry's actions and motivations or not, you can't argue with the fact that he was a royal, dignified, distinguished, aristocratic, noble figure. It was mentioned that in a book about leadership, Henry V was used as an example and I completely understand why. When I was watching and reading the play, his leadership was exactly what I was thinking about. I left thinking about what gives some people the ability to be natural leaders, and hold themselves in a particular way, and if it's something that's learned and practiced or natural and inherited, or some combination. I started talking to my roommate (sharing Shakespeare meaningfully) about it, and explained to her the premise of the play and why I was so impressed with Henry V, and we began talking about leadership and the manner in which one holds themselves. The conclusion we came to is that all of us have the potential to be stately. I think it primarily stems from what we think of ourselves (Johnny Lingo). And considering that we each hark from a divine heritage, every single person in the world has the potential to become just as stately as Henry V. Some people recognize that potential a little earlier than other people. Perhaps they are the ones who go on to be natural leaders. So for them, particularly for BYU students, who tend to go on to positions of leadership in the world, learning principles of leadership is especially important for their ability to make a positive difference in the world.