Leapfrog Why Should I Care

Why Should I Care?

Where would we be without a fun-loving game of leapfrog when we were kids? But if that doesn't do it for you, then try this on for size.

Henry is one complex dude. He's purposely trying to change other people's view of him. Sure, he just invaded Catherine's country. He already has the power to marry her and do whatever he wants with her family. But he wants her consent anyway.

You might think that only happens in tales about medieval kings conquering foreign lands. And in a sense, you'd be right. Chances are we aren't going to use a game of leapfrog to woo any princesses anytime soon.

But we all know what it's like to want to change the general perception of us. You might have made a decision when you were a kid that people still tease you about. Or maybe your nickname is from something dumb you did a gazillion years ago. You wish people could just let it go.

That's exactly what Henry is going through again and again in this play. He's been a rebellious teenager. He's done the whole drinking, gambling, stealing thing. And now he's trying to make a name for himself as a solid king. Maybe the reason he goes through this whole thing with Catherine when he doesn't have to is that he's working on his image. He wants to be seen as kind, loving, and "Christian" (1.2.9).

Now we wouldn't exactly recommend leapfrog as the way of doing that, but hey, we're no king, so whatever.