Once more unto the breach, dear friends, once more;Or close the wall up with our English dead!In peace there's nothing so becomes a manAs modest stillness and humility:But when the blast of war blows in our ears,Then imitate the action of the tiger.
In this excerpt from Shakespeare's "Henry V," the speaker calls upon his comrades to rally once more for battle, urging them to either fight bravely or be prepared to sacrifice themselves for their country. The use of active, vivid imagery highlights the nobility of fighting for one's home as opposed to the quietude of peaceful life, which is characterized by humility and restraint.
The speaker emphasizes that in times of war, it is necessary to adopt a fierce and aggressive stance, likening the soldiers to tigers ready to pounce. This powerful encouragement serves to instill a sense of duty and valor among the troops, suggesting that they should embrace the urgency and ferocity of battle rather than shy away from it.
