Fundamentals of Management 6th Edition by Ricky Griffin

Exercise 8

Exercise Overview
Diagnostic skills enable a manager to visualize the most appropriate response to a situation. This exercise shows how they can be useful when a manager must decide which type of power is most appropriate in different situations.
Exercise Background
William Shakespeare's play Henry V, which was performed for the first time in 1599, explores the themes of war, leadership, brotherhood, and treachery in a way that remains relevant today. The play contains the famous "St. Crispin's Day" speech that, despite its brevity, many people, Shakespearean scholars and non-experts alike, regard as one of the most inspiring speeches ever written.
First, we need to set the scene: In 1415, England, under the leadership of King Henry IV, has invaded France to regain control of some disputed lands. Bear in mind that, to Shakespeare's audience, the legitimacy of Henry's claim makes both his cause and his war "just." Having won several hard-fought battles, the English army of 6,000 has marched from the coast into the interior of France and are encamped outside the French town of Agincourt. At this point in the campaign, they are sick, cold, hungry, and dispirited, and to make matters worse, they face an army of 25,000 well-rested, well-equipped soldiers and armored knights on horse. Through a combination of courage, strategy, and plain luck, they win one of history's most renowned battles, losing only 200 men while inflicting more than 5,000 casualties on enemy.
The short scene in which Henry delivers his St. Crispin's Day speech occurs just before the Battle of Agincourt. Henry's officers are understandably disheartened and fearful of the coming battle, and Henry must motivate them. That's the purpose of his St. Crispin's Day speech.
Exercise Task
Read the transcript of the speech that your professor will provide you. Then answer the following questions:
In Shakespeare's play, of course, Henry's speech inspires his soldiers to almost impossible victory. You may or may not find it inspiring, but you should be able to see why audiences have long praised it as sufficiently stirring to account for such an improbable achievement. What elements of the speech do the most to make it inspirational? If you find the speech inspiring, explain why. If you don't, explain why not.