Michael Williams (character)
Encyclopedia
Michael Williams is a character in William Shakespeare
's Henry V
. He is one of three soldiers visited by King Henry before the Battle of Agincourt.
While walking among his troops on the eve of battle, the King arrives incognito upon a trio of soldiers. They are ruminating on their chances of mere survival, let alone victory in the coming fight. The King pretends to be a junior officer and joins in the discussion. Michael Williams espouses his view on the responsibilities a commander has for the men in his charge, to the extent that he may even be responsible for their souls. He has the grand setpiece speech that includes the line; "There be few that die well that die in a battle." The King successfully rebukes this, as all soldiers are responsible for their own souls.
There is some speculation as to the merits of the King surrendering himself for ransom in order to save the lives of his soldiers. Henry declares he knows the King would never allow himself to be ransomed and would fight the enemy to the death. Williams shows he knows some of the psychology involved, and declares that of course the King would say that, "to make us fight cheerfully: but when our throats are cut he may be ransomed and we ne'er the wiser." The King says in his guise that if that happened he would "never trust the King after."
Williams finds that remark to be so ridiculous as to be outrageous - as if the King would care whether an ordinary man trusted his word or not. The King in return finds he cannot allow his word as a man to be doubted. Williams and Henry agree to settle their argument after the battle, should they live, both wearing charges of the other so they could be recognised.
After Agincourt, the victorious King is in a playful mood, and he presents Williams' glove to Fluellen, the Welsh captain, pretending it is a French trophy. When Williams strikes Fluellen to settle the score of the previous night, Fluellen threatens Williams with treason. The King separates them with apologies to Fluellen and promises of gold to Williams for showing honor and bravery.
In his review of Laurence Olivier's version in 1944, reviewer James Agee calls this exchange "the most inspired part" of the play, as Michael Williams presents the only challenge to Henry in any way, and almost the only personal conflict. Williams' bravery and intelligence is shown as a spur to Henry's own conscience.
In the 1989 movie adaptation of Henry V, Williams was played by the British actor Michael Williams, perhaps an irresistible casting decision by director Kenneth Branagh
, particularly in view of the fact that Williams's wife Judi Dench
also appeared in the film. The character appears in the 1990 Star Trek: The Next Generation
episode "The Defector", in Data
's holodeck re-enactment of Act IV, Scene I, played under heavy makeup by Patrick Stewart
, who had asked to portray Williams or John Bates due to his unabashed love of Shakespeare.
William Shakespeare
William Shakespeare was an English poet and playwright, widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world's pre-eminent dramatist. He is often called England's national poet and the "Bard of Avon"...
's Henry V
Henry V (play)
Henry V is a history play by William Shakespeare, believed to be written in approximately 1599. Its full titles are The Cronicle History of Henry the Fifth and The Life of Henry the Fifth...
. He is one of three soldiers visited by King Henry before the Battle of Agincourt.
While walking among his troops on the eve of battle, the King arrives incognito upon a trio of soldiers. They are ruminating on their chances of mere survival, let alone victory in the coming fight. The King pretends to be a junior officer and joins in the discussion. Michael Williams espouses his view on the responsibilities a commander has for the men in his charge, to the extent that he may even be responsible for their souls. He has the grand setpiece speech that includes the line; "There be few that die well that die in a battle." The King successfully rebukes this, as all soldiers are responsible for their own souls.
There is some speculation as to the merits of the King surrendering himself for ransom in order to save the lives of his soldiers. Henry declares he knows the King would never allow himself to be ransomed and would fight the enemy to the death. Williams shows he knows some of the psychology involved, and declares that of course the King would say that, "to make us fight cheerfully: but when our throats are cut he may be ransomed and we ne'er the wiser." The King says in his guise that if that happened he would "never trust the King after."
Williams finds that remark to be so ridiculous as to be outrageous - as if the King would care whether an ordinary man trusted his word or not. The King in return finds he cannot allow his word as a man to be doubted. Williams and Henry agree to settle their argument after the battle, should they live, both wearing charges of the other so they could be recognised.
After Agincourt, the victorious King is in a playful mood, and he presents Williams' glove to Fluellen, the Welsh captain, pretending it is a French trophy. When Williams strikes Fluellen to settle the score of the previous night, Fluellen threatens Williams with treason. The King separates them with apologies to Fluellen and promises of gold to Williams for showing honor and bravery.
In his review of Laurence Olivier's version in 1944, reviewer James Agee calls this exchange "the most inspired part" of the play, as Michael Williams presents the only challenge to Henry in any way, and almost the only personal conflict. Williams' bravery and intelligence is shown as a spur to Henry's own conscience.
In the 1989 movie adaptation of Henry V, Williams was played by the British actor Michael Williams, perhaps an irresistible casting decision by director Kenneth Branagh
Kenneth Branagh
Kenneth Charles Branagh is an actor and film director from Northern Ireland. He is best known for directing and starring in several film adaptations of William Shakespeare's plays including Henry V , Much Ado About Nothing , Hamlet Kenneth Charles Branagh is an actor and film director from...
, particularly in view of the fact that Williams's wife Judi Dench
Judi Dench
Dame Judith Olivia "Judi" Dench, CH, DBE, FRSA is an English film, stage and television actress.Dench made her professional debut in 1957 with the Old Vic Company. Over the following few years she played in several of William Shakespeare's plays in such roles as Ophelia in Hamlet, Juliet in Romeo...
also appeared in the film. The character appears in the 1990 Star Trek: The Next Generation
Star Trek: The Next Generation
Star Trek: The Next Generation is an American science fiction television series created by Gene Roddenberry as part of the Star Trek franchise. Roddenberry, Rick Berman, and Michael Piller served as executive producers at different times throughout the production...
episode "The Defector", in Data
Data (Star Trek)
Lieutenant Commander Data is a character in the fictional Star Trek universe portrayed by actor Brent Spiner. He appears in the television series Star Trek: The Next Generation and the feature films Star Trek Generations, Star Trek: First Contact, Star Trek: Insurrection, and Star Trek...
's holodeck re-enactment of Act IV, Scene I, played under heavy makeup by Patrick Stewart
Patrick Stewart
Sir Patrick Hewes Stewart, OBE is an English film, television and stage actor, who has had a distinguished career in theatre and television for around half a century...
, who had asked to portray Williams or John Bates due to his unabashed love of Shakespeare.