er, but one of Henry's companions from his youth (Bardolph). Fluellen refuses Pistol's request to intercede on Bardolph's behalf, although Fluellen tells Henry that there was only one casualty--that Bardolph is to be hanged for the theft. Henry shows no mercy to his youthful companion, and reiterates that the French people are to be dealt with fairly.
In Shakespeare's version, the emphasis is on justice to the people and on discipline for failing to obey the king's command, but the playwright complicates the issue by making the thief a friend of the king. Henry's determination to see justice done takes on even greater import as he refuses personal loyalty to assume greater importance than loyalty to the French people (who are, in Henry's mind, his rightful subjects).
This incident as portrayed by Shakespeare also indicates the level of leadership that Henry engendered among his senior advisors. Fluellen is unwilling to intercede on Bardolph's behalf and
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