James Boswell, an author in the 1700's, wrote in The Life of Johnson of a conversation regarding the courage of soldiers in war. In this conversation, one man asks of courage and if it's not acquired. The response he is given suggests that separately soldiers lack courage, but together, such as in times of war, they collectively possess it.

SCOTT. "But is not courage mechanical, and to be acquired?" JOHNSON. "Why, yes, Sir, in a collective sense. Soldiers consider themselves only as parts of a great machine." (Boswell 384)

William Shakespeare, the famous writer of poetry and English plays, wrote about the idea of courage for the sake of honor in act four, scene four of his famous play, Hamlet. In this scene, Hamlet is in a soliloquy about the Norwegian prince's decision to engage the forces. The prince made this decision knowing that in doing so it is very possible that the Norwegians will lose thousands o

To all that fortune, death, and danger dare,

Who, said I, in calling a city cowardly or brave would fix his eyes on any part of it than that which defends it and wages war in its behalf?

Many questions come to mind in such a scenario. Is honor even worth the courage that defends it in such a situation? Can the defense of honor justify the men killed? This defense of honor serves as Shakespeare's take on courage in war.

Witness this army of such mass and charge

When honors at stake. (Shakespeare II 59)

But greatly to find quarrel in straw

Makes mouths at the invisible event,

Whose spirit with divine ambition puff'd

Some common words found in the essay are:
Shakespeare II, William Shakespeare, Don Quixote, Lord God, Life Johnson, War Courage, Deuteronomy Moses, courage war, James Boswell, war courage, defense honor, courage war courage, courage soldiers, war courage war,
Approximate Word count = 995
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)