In Act One of Sheriff’s ‘Journey’s End’, Captain Stanhope is portrayed as a highly respected individual by all members of his rank, despite being profoundly affected psychologically by the war. From the beginning of the play, we witness Stanhope’s respectability, as demonstrated by Osborne’s defensive and protective reaction towards him when he tells Hardy, “He’s a long way the best company commander we’ve got” (page 4). However, our initial impression of Stanhope is tainted when we learn about his excessive drinking before actually meeting him, setting a negative tone. As the play progresses, Sheriff delves into Stanhope’s character, revealing the toll that war has taken on him. We discover that Stanhope, a hardworking young commander, is grappling with the pressures of war and relies on whiskey as a coping mechanism. Despite his struggles, Stanhope proves to be an excellent leader, as affirmed by Osborne when he states, “You’ve done longer than any man in the battalion. It’s time you went away for a rest. It’s due to you” (page 27). This indicates that Stanhope should be proud of his accomplishments instead of feeling ashamed of the person he has become. Osborne is a trustworthy character whom Stanhope relies on and considers a true friend.
We witness Raleigh’s admiration for Stanhope, someone he knew personally before the war. Stanhope was the reason why Raleigh decided to join the army, expressing his eagerness to be in Dennis’s regiment. He describes Stanhope as “splendid” and refers to them as “terrific pals.” Their friendship had a profound impact on Raleigh during their time together in school. Stanhope even acknowledges that he is Raleigh’s hero. However, with Raleigh’s arrival, Stanhope realizes how much he has changed and deteriorated in personality since the war began. He no longer sees himself as a hero due to this drastic transformation. Stanhope confides in Osborne, revealing that Raleigh’s sister is unaware of his decline. He feels disappointed in himself and fears letting down his love if she discovered the truth. There is a strong emotional connection between Stanhope and Raleigh’s sister, and he expresses a reluctance to meet her out of fear that she would notice the person he has become. He becomes frustrated with Raleigh, referring to him as a “little prig,” as he believes he will no longer be able to pursue a relationship with Raleigh’s sister once the war ends.In this depiction, Sheriff shows us a character who is both vulnerable and filled with shame. The Sheriff portrays this by having him say, “If I were to face the front line without being under the influence of whiskey, I would become overwhelmed with fear.” This highlights the critical role that drinking plays for Stanhope, as without whiskey he would be unable to effectively lead his company.
On page 13, Osborne warns Raleigh that he should not expect to find Stanhope the same as before. He explains how the war has had a negative impact on him, stating that it “tells on a man – rather badly.” This portrayal highlights the psychological effects of war and the significant changes that Stanhope has undergone since joining the conflict. Raleigh recalls his hero as someone who was against alcohol, as evidenced by his reaction when he discovered some boys with a bottle of whiskey at school – “the roof nearly blew off.” This demonstrates Stanhope’s desperation to cope with the war and his resorting to alcohol for solace, which appears to be contradictory to his previous stance three years ago.
Sheriff portrays Stanhope as a person who is struggling to handle the stress of the war in Act One, indicating a significant transformation in his character since the beginning of the war. This portrayal aids the audience in comprehending the psychological impact that soldiers experience as a consequence of the war, which could potentially resonate with them since the war was a significant aspect of their own lives.
