Introduction One of the reasons why staging Shakespeare’s historical plays has been traditionally popular with the audiences, is because by watching them, people do not only gain factual information about the historical events, described in these plays, but they also get an insight into these events’ metaphysical essence. The validity of this thesis is best illustrated by Shakespeare’s most famous historical play “Henry V”, which exposes the effectiveness of political leadership as deriving out of leader’s ability to serve his people as his foremost priority. Even today, this continues to be the case, despite the fact that the overwhelming majority of modern politicians, who wear the same de-personifying grey suits and indulge in meaningless politically correct rhetoric, appear as being quite incapable to think of themselves as people’s servants, rather than some private individuals who do not even try to hide their psychological weaknesses in public. Therefore, it will not be an exaggeration, on our part, to refer to the character of Henry V in Shakespeare’s own manner – an embodiment of statesmen’s virtues. In this paper, we will aim at substantiating this idea to a further extent. Body What differentiates an ordinary individual from a statesman? He can always act as “necessary”, as opposed to acting “as it feels like”. From the play’s very beginning, Shakespeare establishes Henry V as responsible ruler of his subjects, who does not only impose law on others but also lives up to the requirements of the same law. Given the fact that Henry used to be a good friend of Cambridge, Scrope, and Grey, there can be no doubt that deep inside, he really did want to forgive them their treachery; however, such his gesture would have undermined Henry’s authority in the eyes of others; therefore, Henry did not have any other option but to sentence all three traitors to death, in order to uphold the unity of his court: “ To mark the full-fraught man and best indued With some suspicion. I will weep for thee; For this revolt of thine, methinks, is like Another fall of man. Their faults are open. Arrest them to the answer of the law; And God acquit them of their practices! ” (Act 2, Scene 2). Law is exactly the law because it equally applies to everybody. This is the reason why making exemptions from the law is absolutely intolerable. Apparently, King Henry V was well aware of it, despite his young age. By condemning his former friends, Henry had proven himself as being worthy of a throne, because his decision indicated the fact that the matters of state represent a foremost priority to young King. Later in the play, Henry will again be forced to put his personal feelings aside, while making important decisions, and it is the fact that he knew how to become unemotional, during the course of decision making, which had brought about his ultimate victory. In her article “The Origins of National Identity in Shakespeare’s Henry V ”, Constance Hunt provides us with the insight on Henry’s rationale, behind his cruel but fair treatment of its former corrupt friends: “Henry’s army and enterprise cannot tolerate this level of insubordination, disorder, and self-centeredness. Purely self-interested desires must be ordered and redirected in the service of a common aim. Henry is willing to sacrifice his former