The Importance of Reading Ernest discussion

Al's belief in his impending death resonated deeply for me. Is it foolish of Al to walk right back into a battle that he knows he will not emerge from? Is his willingness motivated by something as simple as honour? Or is Al simply going into death with eyes wide open, knowing that he has to die sometime and that this day, this day he's signed himself up for because "he has politics" is as good as any other?