A Vampire in Henry V

Pistol did not have much of a major part in the play but he is still an interesting character.  He is most definitely a fool who does not amount to a man, as the Boy have noted and observed in Act 3 Scene 2, and makes promises he cannot keep.  He has a killing tongue in which he speaks things he cannot do.  He says he will fight and kill many men but in reality, he will never draw his sword.  After all, things are easier said than done.

But has it every occurred to anyone that he speaks a lot about sucking blood?  Although he may only mention it twice in 2.4 and 4.4, it’s still an odd statement.  It is understandable that they are fighting in a war but we all know Pistol would not suck any blood.  If he keeps his sword in one piece by keeping it in its sheath, how can he suck the blood of his enemies without having to kill them first?

“Let us to France, like horse-leeches, my boys, To suck, to suck, the very blood to suck!” (2.4.56-57). Maybe Shakespeare intended Pistol to have vampire-like qualities (except the daylight quality).  As in Dracula, no one knew he was a blood-thirsty creature.  Dracula went about his duties acquiring land but doing so during the night.  He appeared like a normal being to others until Jonathan (a man staying at Dracula’s castle to complete some business with him) noticed peculiar things and when his wife Mina started to worry when Jonathan did not come home during the expected week he said he would. 

Was it normal for soldiers to drink the bloods of their enemies?  If not, is it normal for one, such as Pistol, to speak about doing so?  Does saying so show pride for his country?  Does anyone else think it’s weird that Pistol mentions it more than once?