How is Stanhope Represented in the First Two Acts of ‘Journey’s End’?

Stanhope is the captain in command of an infantry company on the prior line. Although he is a highly ranked officer, Stanhope is still only a boy. He has been out in the trenches for nearly three years, (having come unbowed form school at he age of eighteen) and has commanded his company for a year. The character of Stanhope is fundamental to the play as a whole we turn around this almost straight away as he is spoken approximately before he appears on stage. The play begins with a conversation amongst two officers Osborne and brassy and it is from them that the reader gains a first impression of Stanhope.His suck problem is immediately addressed as Hardy asks, Drinking resembling a fish, as usual? This presents him in a fairly ostracise light however this feeling is soon displaced as Osborne begins to defend him and offers just about reasoning as to why Stanhope seeks solace in alcohol. We learn that he is in fact an extremely competent and well respected commanding of ficer Hes a long way the best company commander weve got and this c every last(predicate) for is emphasised in Act two as Raleigh writes in his letter, Hes the delightfulst officer in the battalion, and the men simply hump him.Sherriff presents Stanhope as badly working, and this is mentioned various times throughout the two acts. Osborne says (when defending him against Hardy) Hes commanded this company or a year in and out of the front line. Hes never had a rest. Other men come over here and go kinsfolk again ill, and young Stanhope goes on sticking it, month in, month out. He is precise and meticulous in his duties as captain. When Trotter asks if he merchantman go on duty half an hour later so he can finish his meal Stanhope refuses, unwilling to risk upset the schedule.He is also horrified at the state in which Hardy leaves the trenches, commenting that they smell standardised cess pits all this adding to the image that Sherriff creates of him as a fine officer. Sta nhope is extremely worried about Raleighs appearance as he is frighten he will write to his sister and tell her what he has become. His vigorous temper becomes apparent as he demands Raleigh hands his letter over he shouts, Dont Dennis me Stanhopes my name and even snaps at Osborne. Raleigh describes an chance at school, I remember once at school he caught some chaps in a study with a bottle of whisky. captain the roof nearly blew off. He gave them a dozen each with a cricket stump. This is ironic considering what Stanhope has become, yet it gives the reader an insight into what he was like before the war and how it has affected him. It quickly becomes apparent that Mason is frighten of Stanhope we see an example of this when Mason accidently gets apricots instead of pineapples he is extremely concerned about what the captains reaction may be. This further enforces the idea of Stanhope having a footling temper. Stanhope has a close relationship with Osborne, much like that of a perplex and son.Being twice his age, calm and level headed, Osborne is there to look afterwards Stanhope when he gets too tight or to comfort him when he fears for his sanity. The scene where Osborne tucks Stanhope into make love shows his vulnerability. He is only a boy after all, and this is demonstrated effectively as he says, Yes I go sleep. Osborne defends Stanhope against Hardy and says, I love that fellow. Id go to hell with him. Stanhope is a deep thinker Its a raiment thats grown on me lately to look right through things, and on and on til I get frightened and stop.He sees beneath the scrape up of things, one of the qualities that make him a fantastic captain. This is demonstrated when Hibbert complains he is suffering from neuralgia he sees through his pretence and describes him as Another secondary worm trying to wriggle home. He believes it is wrong to feign infirmity Its a slimy thing to go home if youre not actually ill, isnt it? Despite his di sliking for Hibbert, after his initial threat to shoot him he is appreciation and comforting, even offering to accompany him on patrol.He has a realistic sense of decency, evident throughout the two acts. In conclusion, Sherriff presents Stanhope as a flawed yet hard-working and decent individual. Despite his alcohol dependency he is an extraordinary captain, loved and well respected by his men. The reader learns all this through Stanhopes actions, stage directions, what the other characters tell us about him and their responses to him. Sherriff presents him as a tragic hero, troubled and hardened by his experiences.