Henry VI, Part III

Introduction

Henry VI, Part III begins and ends with the murder of two sets of fathers and sons.  In Act I York’s son, young Rutland, is murdered by Clifford before York himself is dispatched by Clifford and Margaret.  In the final act both King Henry and his son are murdered by Richard.  In between the play is dominated by the maneuvering of both sides to rule or at times merely survive.  Richard increasingly dominates the play.  King Henry agrees that York may succeed him, provided Henry can rule peacefully for as long as he lives.  York’s sons are anxious that this not be long.  York agrees with Henry and lets down his guard and is attacked by the army of the fiery Queen, who is furious that the King has disinherited his own son in granting the future crown to York.  York is captured, grotesquely humiliated and murdered in Shakespeare’s most accomplished scene yet, featuring phenomenal speeches by Margaret and York.  York’s sons plot revenge and grow strong enough to once again make a grab at the throne.  There is a senseless ebb and flow on both sides until the sons of York triumph and Edward is crowned King while Henry has fled the battle and wanders lost in a forest and Margaret returns to the continent in order to seek help from France.   The York sons bicker over King Edward’s marriage plans and he is captured by Margaret’s new formed army.  The crown is temporarily restored to Henry, and Warwick and York’s son, Clarence, declare their support for Henry.  In the ensuing battle Edward and Richard capture and imprison Henry and Margaret.  Henry is murdered by Richard in the Tower and Richard openly declares his intention, over time, to win the throne for himself by whatever means necessary, even over his own brothers, Clarence and King Edward.

Act I (4 scenes)

Scene i

London. The Parliament

Enter York, Edward, Richard, Warwick and soldiers all wearing white roses in their hats

Warwick: “I wonder how the King escaped our hands.”

York: “He slyly stole away.”

Richard: “Speak thou for me, and tell them what I did.”

Richard throws down Somerset’s head.

York: “Richard hath best deserved of all my sons.”

Richard: “Thus do I hope to shake King Henry’s head.”

Warwick: “This is the palace of the fearful King, and this the royal seat. Possess it, York; for this is thine.”

York: “Assist me then, sweet Warwick, and I will. Be resolute. I mean to take possession of my right.”

Warwick: “Richard, claim the English crown!”

York occupies the throne.

Enter King Henry, Clifford, Northumberland, Westmoreland, Exeter and soldiers all wearing red roses in their hats

King: “My lords, look where the sturdy rebel sits, even in the chair of state.”

Westmoreland: “Shall we suffer this? Let’s pluck him down.”

King: “Be patient, Westmoreland.”

Clifford: “My gracious Lord, here in the Parliament, let us assail the family of York.”

King: “Know you not that the city favours them and they have groups of soldiers at their beck?”

Exeter: “But when the Duke is slain they will quickly fly.”

King: “Thou factious Duke of York, descend my throne and kneel for mercy at my feet. I am thy sovereign.”

York: “I am thine.”

Exeter: “For shame, come down.”

Warwick: “Exeter, thou art a traitor to the crown in following this usurping Henry.”Clifford: “Whom should he follow but his natural king.”

Warwick: “True Clifford, and that is Richard, Duke of York.”

King: “And shall I stand, while thou sits in my throne?”

York: “It must and shall be so; content thyself.”

King: “What title hast thou, traitor, to the crown? I am the son of King Henry the Fifth, who made the French to stoop.”

Warwick: “Talk not of France, since thou hast lost it all.”

Richard: “Father, tear the crown from the usurper’s head.”

Edward: “Sweet father, do so; set it on your head.”

King: “Peace thou! Give King Henry leave to speak.”

Warwick: “Plantagenet shall speak first. Hear him, lords.”

King: “Think’st thou that I will leave my kingly throne, wherein my grandfather and father sat? No. My title is good, and better far than his.”

Warwick: “Prove it, Henry, and thou shall be king.”

King: “Henry the Fourth by conquest got the crown.”

York: “Twas by rebellion against his king.”

King: (aside) “I know not what to say; my title’s weak” – “Tell me, may not a king adopt an heir?”

York: “What then?”

King: “For Richard the Second, in the view of many lords, resigned the crown to Henry the Fourth, whose heir my father was, and I am his.”

York: “He rose against him and made him to resign his crown perforce.”

King: (aside) “All will revolt from me and turn to him.”

Clifford: “King Henry, be thy title right or wrong, Clifford vows to fight in thy defence. May that ground gape and swallow me alive, where I shall knee to him who slew my father.”

York: “Henry of Lancaster, resign thy crown.”

Warwick: “Do right unto this princely Duke of York, or I will fill the house with armed men and write up his title with usurping blood.”

Warwick stamps his foot and soldiers appear.

King: “Let me for this life-time reign as king.”

York: “Confirm the crown to me and to my heirs and thou shall reign in quiet while thou lives.”

King: “I am content. Richard, enjoy the kingdom after my decease.”

Clifford: “What wrong is this unto the Prince, your son.”

Westmoreland: “Base, fearful and despairing Henry! I cannot stay to hear these articles.”

Northumberland: “Nor I.”

Clifford: “Come, let us tell the Queen this news.”

Westmoreland: “Farewell, faint-hearted and degenerate king, in whose cold blood no spark of honour bides.”

Northumberland: “Be thou a prey unto the House of York.”

The King sighs

Warwick: “Why should you sigh, my Lord?”

King: “Not for myself, Warwick, but my son, whom I shall unnaturally disinherit. But be that as it may. (to York) I here entail the crown to thee and to thine heirs forever, conditionally, that here thou take an oath to cease this civil war, and, while I live, to honour me as thy king and sovereign, and neither by treason or hostility to seek to put me down and reign thyself.”

York: “This oath I willingly take and will perform.” (York comes down from the throne.)

Warwick: “Long live King Henry!”

York: “Now York and Lancaster are reconciled. Farewell, my gracious Lord. I will to my castle.”

Enter Queen Margaret and the Prince of Wales, Edward.

Exeter: “Here comes the Queen, whose looks betray her anger. I’ll steal away.”

King: “Exeter, so will I.”

Queen: “Nay, go not from me. Ah, wretched man! Would I had died a maid, and never seen thee, never borne thee a son, seeing thou has proven so unnatural a father! Hath he deserved to lose his birthright, thus?”

Prince: “Father, you cannot disinherit me. If you be King, why should I not succeed?”

King: “Pardon me, Margaret; pardon me, sweet son, Warwick and the Duke of York enforced me.”

Queen: “Enforced thee! Art thou King and will be forced? I shame to hear thee speak. Ah, timorous wretch! Thou hast undone thyself, thy son and me. The Duke is made Protector of the realm; and yet shall thou be safe? Such safety finds the trembling lamb environed with wolves. The soldiers should have tossed me on their pikes before I would have granted to that act. But thou prefers thy life before thine honour; and seeing thou dost, I here divorce myself both from thy table, Henry, and thy bed, until that act of parliament be repealed whereby my son is disinherited. Thus do I leave thee. Come son, let’s away. Our army is ready; we’ll after them.”

King: “Stay, gentle Margaret, and hear me speak.”

Queen: “Thou hast spoke too much already; get thee gone.”

King: “Gentle son, Edward, thou wilt stay with me?”

Queen: “Ay, to be murdered by his enemies.”

Prince: “When I return in victory from the field I’ll see your grace; till then I’ll follow her.”

King: “Poor Queen! Revenged may she be on that hateful Duke, whose haughty spirit, winged with desire will cost my crown.”

Analysis

Act I is action packed and rather dramatically advances the entire story in this sequence of plays. Both York and King Henry have partially legitimate but partially dubious claims to the throne. It all hinges on Henry IV, King Henry’s grandfather, who either usurped the throne or was handed it by King Richard II. History still debates this point. York and his supporters are aggressive in his claim to the crown but so are King Henry’s supporters. The points are argued back and forth until the King, in a moment of weakness, agrees to have the throne turned over to York and his heirs upon the death of Henry, thus disinheriting his son from the throne. York immediately agrees to this although the King’s supporters are aghast, especially Queen Margaret, who rages at the King for his weakness and vows to fight the Yorkists so that her son, Prince Edward, will be king upon Henry’s death. As King Henry becomes weaker Margaret assumes centre stage in the fight to preserve Henry’s crown. The question of succession is an extremely touchy one and Shakespeare had to be careful here, as his own aging monarch, Queen Elizabeth I, was without issue and a succession crisis could easily become a reality soon. We started Henry VI, Part I with innumerable lords vying for influence and power but now there remain only Henry and York and their respective families and followers.

Act I

Scene ii

Sandal Castle in Yorkshire

Enter York and sons Edward and Richard

York: “What is your quarrel?”

Edward: “But a slight contention.”

York: “About what?”

Richard: “About the crown of England, father, which is yours.”

York: “Mine, boy? Not till King Henry be dead.”

Richard: “Your right depends not on his life or death.”

Edward: “Enjoy it now. By giving the House of Lancaster leave to breathe, it will outrun you, father, in the end.”

York: “I took an oath that he should quietly reign.”

Edward: ” But for a kingdom any oath may be broken. I would break a thousand oaths to reign one year.”

Richard: “Your oath, my lord, is vain and frivolous. Therefore, to arms. And father, do but think how sweet a thing it is to wear a crown. Why do we linger thus? I cannot rest until the white rose that I wear be dyed in the lukewarm blood of Henry’s heart.”

York: “Richard, enough. I will be king, or die.”

Messenger: “The Queen with all of the northern earls and lords intend here to besiege you in your castle. She is hard by with twenty-thousand men.”

York: “What! Think that we fear them? Edward and Richard, you shall stay with me.”

Richard: “A woman general! What should we fear?”

Edward: “I hear their drums. Let’s bid them battle straight.”

York: “Five men to twenty! Though the odds be great, I doubt not.”

Analysis

The truce determined in the previous scene is rendered null and void as York’s sons rather easily persuade him to fight for the crown immediately rather than abide by the agreement to wait until Henry’s death. And Margaret’s army approaches, as she insists her son remain heir to the throne.

Act I

Scene iii

Field of battle outside York’s castle

Enter Rutland and his tutor and Clifford and soldiers

Clifford: “As for the brat of this accursed duke, whose father slew my father, he shall die.”

Rutland’s tutor: “Ah, Clifford, murder not this innocent child, lest thou be hated both of God and man.”

Rutland: “Ah, Gentle Clifford, kill me with thy sword and not with such a cruel, threatening look! Sweet Clifford, hear me speak before I die. Be thou revenged on men, and let me live.”

Clifford: “In vain thou speaks, poor boy; my father’s blood hath stopped the passage where thy words should enter. The sight of any of the House of York is a fury to torment my soul; and till I root out their accursed line, and leave not one alive, I live in hell.”

Rutland: “To thee I pray: sweet Clifford, pity me.”

Clifford: “Such pity as my rapier’s point affords.”

Rutland: “I never did thee harm.”

Clifford: “Thy father has.”

Rutland: “Thou has one son; for his sake pity me, lest he be as miserably slain as I. Ah, let me live in prison all my days; and when I give occasion of offence then let me die, for thou has no cause.”

Clifford: “No cause! Thy father slew my father; therefore die.”

Clifford stabs Rutland, who dies.

Clifford: “Plantagenet, I come. And this thy son’s blood cleaving to my blade shall rust upon my weapon, till thy blood, congealed with this, do make me wipe off both.”

Analysis

The Duke of York earlier killed Clifford’s aging father and Clifford vowed to kill even the youngest of the House of York, and just made good on this vow. The War of the Roses is back on again!

Act I

Scene iv

Another part of the field.

Enter York

York: “The army of the Queen has got the field, and all my followers turn back and fly, like lambs pursued by starved wolves. My sons – God knows what has bechance them. The fatal followers do pursue, and I am faint and cannot fly their fury. The sands are numbered that make up my life. Here must I stay and here my life must end.”

Enter the Queen, Clifford, Northumberland and the Prince with soldiers.

Northumberland: “Yield Plantagenet.”

York: “My ashes, as the Pheonix, may bring forth a bird that will revenge upon you all.”

Clifford prepares to kill York

Queen: “Hold, valiant Clifford, for a thousand causes I would prolong a while the traitor’s life. Come, make him sit upon this hill here. What, was it you who would be England’s king? Where are your mess of sons to back you now? The wanton Edward and the lusty George, and where is that valiant crook-back prodigy, Dicky your boy, who was want to cheer his dad in mutinies? Where is your darling Rutland? Look York: I stained this napkin with the blood that valiant Clifford with his rapier’s point, made issue from the bosom of the boy. And if thy eyes can water for his death, I give thee this to dry your cheeks with. Alas, poor York! But that I hate thee deadly, I should lament thy miserable state. I prithee grieve to make me merry, York. What, has thy fiery heart so parched thy entrails that not a tear can fall for Rutland’s death? Why art thou patient, man? Thou should be mad; and I to make thee mad do mock thee thus. Stamp, rave and fret that I may sing and dance. York cannot speak unless he wears a crown. A crown for York!“

The Queen puts a paper crown upon York’s head.

Queen: “Ay, merry, sir, now looks he like a king! Ay, this is he who took King Henry’s chair, and this is he who was his adopted heir. Off with the crown and with the crown his head. And take time to do him dead.”

Clifford: “This is my office, for my father’s sake.”

York: “She-wolf of France, whose tongue is more poisoned than the adder’s tooth. How ill-beseeming is it in thy sex to triumph like an Amazonian. Thou art as opposite to every good as the Antipodes are to us. O, tiger’s heart wrapped in a woman’s hide! How could thou drain the life-blood of the child, to bid the father wipe his eyes with, and yet be seen to bear a woman’s face? Women are soft, mild, pitiful and flexible; thou stern, obdurate, flinty, rough and remorseless. Bid thou me rage? Why, now thou has thy wish. Would thou have me weep? Why, now thou has thy will, and every drop cries vengeance for my sweet Rutland’s death against thee, Clifford, and thee, false Frenchwoman. That face of his the hungry cannibals would not have touched and would not have stained with blood. But you are more inhuman – ten times more – than tigers. See, ruthless Queen, a hapless father’s tears. This cloth thou dipped in the blood of my sweet boy, I with tears do wash the blood away. Keep thou the napkin, and go boast of this; and if thou tells the heavy story right, upon my soul, the hearers will shed tears; yea, even my foes will shed fast-falling tears, and say ‘alas, it was a piteous deed!’ There, take the crown, and with my crown my curse. Hard hearted Clifford, take me from the world; my soul to heaven, my blood upon your heads.“

Clifford: “Here’s for my oath and here’s for my father’s death.

Clifford stabs York

Queen: “And here’s to right our gentle-hearted king.”

The Queen stabs York

York dies

Queen: “Off with his head, and set it on York gates so that York may overlook York.”

Analysis

In one of the Bard’s most powerful scenes, Queen Margaret taunts York and their exchange is bitter and tragic. Now his sons must get revenge for his death, and as we know, one of his three remaining sons is ruthless Richard, who we will see much more of in the remainder of this play and again in the one which follows and bears his name. The peace forged between King Henry and York has been dissected by Queen Margaret and Clifford. It is now Margaret’s turn to take centre stage, as she now captures, grotesquely humiliates and murders York.  We were down to the King vs the Yorkists.  Margaret thinks she has preserved the crown for herself and Henry by killing York.… but there remain four more acts and there remains Richard.  Margaret may merely have bought a bit of time.  Shakespeare is clearly growing as a writer and we have yet to see the likes of Margaret as we have in these two scenes with Henry and then with York.   The exchange between Margaret and York is vintage Shakespeare, who seems nearly prepared to unleash Richard III, his first true masterpiece, to the world stage.

Act II (6 scenes)

Scene i

A plain near Herefordshire

Enter Edward and Richard

Edward: “I wonder how our princely father escaped from Clifford’s pursuit.”

Richard: “I cannot know joy until I be resolved where our right and valiant father is.”

Enter a messenger

Richard: “What art thou, whose heavy looks foretell some dreadful story?”

Messenger: “The noble Duke of York was slain, slaughtered by the arm of unrelenting Clifford and the Queen, who laughed in his face; and when with grief he wept, the ruthless Queen gave him to dry his cheeks a napkin steeped in the harmless blood of sweet young Rutland, by rough Clifford slain. After many scorns and many foul taunts, they took his head, and on the gates of York they set the same; and there it doth remain.”

Edward: “Sweet Duke of York, our prop to lean upon, now thou art gone. Clifford, thou has slain the flower of Europe, and treacherously has thou vanquished him, for hand to hand he would have vanquished thee. O, never shall I see more joy.”

Richard: “I cannot weep, for all my body’s moisture scarce serves to quench my furnace-burning heart. Richard, I bear thy name; I’ll avenge thy death.”

Enter Warwick

Warwick: “How now, fair lords?”

Richard: “O valiant lord, the Duke of York is slain.”

Warwick: “And now, to add more measure to your woe, our soldiers fell gently down. They had no heart to fight, so that we fled.”

Richard: “In this troubling time, what is to be done? Wrap our bodies in black mourning gowns, numbering our Ave-Marias with our beads? Or shall we upon the helmets of our foes tell our devotion with revengeful arms? If for the last, say Ay!”

Edward: “Then strike up the drums!”

Enter a messenger

Messenger: “The Queen is coming and craves your company for speedy counsel.”

Analysis

With York dead, the Yorkist claim to the throne is now in the hands of his sons, two of whom will be kings. There is still a long way to go!

Act II

Scene ii

Before York

Enter King Henry, the Queen, the Prince, Clifford and Northumberland.

Queen: “Welcome, my lord, to this brave town of York. Yonder’s the head of that arch-enemy, that thought to be encompassed with your crown. Does not the object cheer your heart, my lord.”

King: “To see this sight, it irks my very soul. Withhold revenge, dear God; tis not my fault, nor wittingly have I infringed my vow.”

Clifford: “My gracious liege, this too much harmful pity must be laid aside. Ambitious York did level at thy crown. He, but a duke would have his son a king. Thou, being a king, blessed with a goodly son, did yield consent to disinherit him, which argued thee a most unloving father. For shame, my liege. Were it not pity that this goodly boy should lose his birthright by his father’s fault?”

King: “Full well has Clifford played the orator, but Clifford, tell me, did thou never hear that things ill got had ever bad success? I’ll leave my son my virtuous deeds behind. Ah, cousin York, how it does grieve me that thy head is here!”

Enter a messenger

Messenger: “Be in readiness, for with a band of thirty-thousand men comes Warwick, backing the Duke of York, and in the towns, as they march along, they proclaim him king and many fly to him. They are at hand.”

Clifford: “I would your highness would depart the field. The Queen has best success when you are absent.”

Queen: “Ay, good my lord, and leave us to our fortune.”

King: “Why, that’s my fortune too; therefore I’ll stay.”

Northumberland: “Be it with resolution then, to fight.”

Enter Edward, George, Richard, Warwick and soldiers

Edward: “Now, perjured Henry, will thou kneel for grace and set thy diadem upon my head or bide the mortal fortune of the field?”

Queen: “Go rate thy minions, proud, insulting boy.”

Edward: “I am his king and he should bow his knee. I was adopted heir by his consent. As I hear, it is you who are now king, though he do wear the crown, and you have caused him by a new act of parliament to blot me out and put his own son in.”

Clifford: “Who should succeed the father but the son?”

Richard: “Are you there, butcher?”

Clifford: “Ay, crook-back, here I stand to answer thee, the proudest of thy sort.”

Richard: “Twas you who killed young Rutland, was it not?”

Clifford: Ay, and old York, and yet not satisfied.”

Richard: “Break off the parlay, for scarce I can refrain upon that Clifford, that cruel child killer. But ere sunset, I’ll make thee curse the deed.”

King: “Have done with words, my lords, and hear me speak.”

Queen: “Defy them then, or else hold closed thy lips.”

Clifford: “My liege, the wound that bred this meeting here cannot be cured by words; therefore be still.”

Queen: “Richard, thou art a foul misshapen stigmatic, marked by the destinies to be avoided, as venomous toads or lizard’s dreadful stings.”

Edward: “Henry’s father revelled in the heart of France, and had he matched according to his state, he might have kept that glory to this day; but when he took a beggar to his bed, that heaped sedition on his crown at home.”

George: “We’ll never leave until we have hewn thee down.”

Edward: “I defy thee, not willing any further conference, since thou denies the gentle king to speak.”

Analysis

Edward wants to be king and chooses to heap all blame in the kingdom upon Margaret. The parlay ends and a battle is ensured.

Act II

Scene iii

A field of battle in Yorkshire

Enter Warwick, George, Edward and Richard

George: “Our hap is lost. Our ranks are broke, and ruin follows us.”

Edward: “Weak are we, and cannot shun pursuit.”

Warwick: “Why stand we like soft-hearted women here, wailing our losses, while the foe doth rage .”

Edward: “O Warwick, I do bend my knee with thine, thy setter-up and plucker-down of kings.”

Richard: “I that did never weep now melt with woe that winter should cut off our spring-time so.”

Analysis

The battle does not go well for the Yorkists. Enough said.

Act II

Scene iv

Another part of the field

Enter Richard and Clifford

Richard: “Now, Clifford, I have singled thee alone.”

Clifford: “Richard, this is the hand that stabbed thy father York; and this the hand that slew thy brother Rutland; and here’s the heart that triumphs in their deaths and cheers these hands that slew thy sire and brother to execute the like upon thyself. And so, have at thee.”

They fight. Enter Warwick. Clifford flies.

Analysis

The briefest of scenes, in which Richard and Clifford exchange words and fight until Warwick arrives and Clifford wisely departs.

Act II

Scene v

Another part of the field.

Enter King Henry, alone

King: “This battle, now sways it this way, now sways it that way. Now one the better, then another best. Both tugging to be victors. Here on this hill will I sit me down. Would I were dead, if God’s good will were so! For what is in this world but grief and woe? O God! Me thinks it were a happy life to be no better than a homely swain and to sit upon a hill as I do now. To see the minutes how they run, and how many make the hour complete; how many hours bring about the day; how many days will finish up the year; how many years a mortal man may live. When this is known, then to divide the times: how many hours must I tend my flock; so many hours must I take my rest; so many hours must I contemplate; so many hours must I sport myself; so many days; so many weeks; so many years ere I shall shear the fleece. So minutes, hours, days, months and years, passed over to the end they were created, would bring white hairs unto a quiet grave. Ah, what a life were this! How sweet! How lovely! And to conclude the shepherd’s homely curds, his cold thin drink out of his leather bottle, his wonted sleep under a fresh tree’s shade, all which secure and sweetly he enjoys, is far beyond a prince’s delicates.“

Enter a son that has killed his father.

Son: “Ill blows the wind that profits nobody. This man whom hand to hand I slew in fight may be possessed with some crowns. Who is this? O God! It is my father’s face, whom in this conflict I unawares have killed. O heavy times, begetting such events! I, who at his hands received my life, have by my hands of life bereaved him. Pardon me, God. I knew not what I did. And pardon, father, for I knew thee not. My tears shall wipe away these bloody marks.”

King: “O piteous spectacle! O bloody times! Weep, wretched man; I’ll aid thee tear for tear.”

Enter a father that has killed his son.

Father: “Thou that so stoutly hath resisted me, give me thy gold. But let me see. Is this our foe’s face? Ah, no, no, no, it is my only son. O, pity, God, this miserable age! What stratagems, how butcherly, erroneous, mutinous, and unnatural, this deadly quarrel daily doth beget!”

King: “Woe above woe! O that my death would stay these ruthful deeds! O pity, pity, gentle heaven, pity! The red rose and the white are on his face. The fatal colours of our striving houses. A thousand lives must perish.”

Son: “Was ever a son so rued a father’s death?”

Father: “Was ever a father so bemoaned his son?”

King: “Was ever a king so grieved for subject’s woe? Much is your sorrow; mine ten times so much.”

Enter the Queen, the Prince and Exeter

Prince: “Fly, father, fly; for all your friends are fled and Warwick rages like a chafed bull.”

Queen: “Mount you, my lords. Edward and Richard, like a brace of greyhounds, having the fearful hare in sight, with fiery eyes sparkling for wrath.”

Exeter: “Away! For vengeance comes along with them.”

Analysis

King Henry has been spared the battlefield and reflects on a much desired simpler life he might have lived as a shepherd. He then encounters a son who has killed his father and a father who has killed his son. The fortunes on the battlefield change again and now it’s the King and his supporters who desperately flee the conflict.

Act II

Scene vi

Another part of the field

Enter Clifford, wounded

Clifford: “O Henry, I fear thy overthrow more than my body’s parting with my soul! And who shines now but Henry’s enemies. There is no way to fly. The foe is merciless and will not pity. Come York and Richard and the rest. I stabbed your fathers’ bosoms: split my heart.

Clifford faints

Enter Edward, George, Richard, Warwick with soldiers

Edward: “Some troops pursue the bloody minded Queen. Think you that Clifford fled with them?”

Warwick: “No, tis impossible he should escape. Your brother Richard marked him for the grave; and wheresoever he is, he’s surely dead.”

Clifford groans and dies

Richard: “Whose soul is that which takes her heavy leave? Tis Clifford.”

Warwick: “From the gates of York fetch down your father’s head, which Clifford placed there. Off with the traitor’s head and rear it in the place your father’s stands. And now to London with triumphant march, there to be crowned England’s royal king, and ask the Lady Bona for thy Queen. So shalt thou sinew both these lands together. First I will see the coronation; and then to Brittany to effect this marriage.”

Edward: “Richard, I will create thee Duke of Gloucester; and George of Clarence,”

Analysis

Clifford is dead and Edward is set to be crowned in London. Fortunes are as fickle on the battlefields as they are in the royal court. Clearly, the nation is in crisis, as both sides strive to destroy the other for possession of the crown.  Each side is led by the most ruthless individual remaining: Margaret in the one camp and Richard in the other.  It has become virtually that simple. The scales tip each way at various times, until by the end of the act the York brothers are racing toward London and the throne.  Henry seems done, wishing for his own death.  Richard, on the other hand, is growing in his quest for power and his menacing nature.  He will continue to do so for the rest of the play, knowing that once the ruling Lancasters are disposed of he will face his own two brothers, Edward and Clarence, both ahead of him as claimants to the crown.  He still has a long way to go but his journey toward kingship is certainly well under way.  Richard and Margaret each know the essence of the other as ruthless and ambitious and this relationship is only just beginning.

Act III (3 scenes)

Scene i

The north of England

Enter two keepers with cross-bows and King Henry, disguised, with a prayer-book

1 Keeper: “This is the former king; let’s seize upon him.”

2 Keeper: “Forbear awhile; we’ll hear a little more.”

King Henry: “My Queen and son are gone to France for aid.”

2 Keeper: “Say, what art thou that talks of Kings and Queens?”

King Henry: “More than I seem and less than I was born to.”

2 Keeper: “But thou talks as if thou were a king.”

King Henry: “Why, so I am.”

2 keeper: “If thou be a king, where is thy crown?”

King Henry: “My crown is in my heart, not on my head. My crown is called content; a crown it is that seldom kings enjoy.”

2 Keeper: “You are the king King Edward has deposed, and we his subjects, sworn in all allegiance, will apprehend you as his enemy.”

King Henry: “You were sworn true subjects unto me. Tell me then, have you not broke your oaths?”

1 Keeper: “No.”

King Henry: “Why, am I dead?”

1 Keeper: “We are true subjects to King Edward.”

Analysis

King Henry is in hiding in northern England, when these two keepers encounter him and recognize who he is. They are aware that he has been deposed by Edward and determine to turn him over to the new king.”

Act III

Scene ii

London. The palace.

Enter King Edward, Richard of Gloucester, George of Clarence and Lady Grey

King Edward: “Brother of Gloucester, this lady’s husband was slain, his land then seized on by the conquerer. Her suit is now to repossess those lands.”

Gloucester: “Your Highness shall do well to grant her suit. (aside to his brother George of Clarence) I see the lady has a thing to grant before the king shall grant her humble suit.”

King Edward: “I will tell you how these lands are to be got. What service will thou do me if I give them?”

Lady Grey: “My love till death.”

King Edward: “I did not mean such love. But now you may partly perceive my mind.”

Lady Grey: “My mind will never grant what I perceive.”

King Edward: “To tell thee plain, I am to lie with thee.”

Lady Grey: “To tell you plain, I had rather lie in prison.”

King Edward: “Why, then thou shall not have thy husband’s lands.”

Lady Grey: “Why, then my honesty shall be my dower.”

King Edward: “Thou wrong’st thy children mightily.”

Lady Grey: “My suit is at an end.”

Clarence: “He is the bluntest wooer in Christendom.”

King Edward: (an aside) “One way or another, she is for a king. And she shall be my love or my queen.”

King Edward: “Say that King Edward take thee for his queen?”

Lady Grey: “I am a subject unfit to be a sovereign. I am too mean to be your queen and too good to be your concubine.”

King Edward: “Thou shall be my queen.”

Gloucester: “The widow likes it not.”

King Edward: “Her suit is granted for her husband’s lands.”

Enter a nobleman

Nobleman: “Henry, your foe, is taken and brought as prisoner to your palace gate.”

King Edward: “See that he be conveyed unto the Tower.”

Exit all but Gloucester

Gloucester (an aside) “Ay, Edward, would that he were wasted, marrow, bones and all, that from his loins no hopeful branch may spring to cross me from the golden time I look for! And yet, between my soul’s desire and me is Edward, Clarence, Henry, and his son, young Edward, and all the unlooked for issue of their bodies. Why, then I do but dream of sovereignty. So do I wish the crown, being so far off; and so I chide the means that keeps me from it. Well, say there is no kingdom then for Richard; what other pleasure can the world afford? I’ll make my heaven in a lady’s lap, and deck my body in gay ornaments. O miserable thought! And more unlikely than to accomplish twenty golden crowns. Why, love forswore me in my mother’s womb, to shrink my arm up like a withered shrub; to make an envious mountain on my back, where sits deformity to mark my body; to shape my legs of an unequal size; to disproportion me in every part, like to a chaos or an unlicked bear-whelp. And am I then, a man to be loved? O monstrous fault to harbour such a thought. Then since this earth afford no joy to me but to command, I’ll make my heaven to dream upon the crown, and while I live to count this world but hell, until my misshaped trunk that bears this head be found impaled with a glorious crown. And yet I know not how to get the crown, for many lives stand between me and home. And I torment myself to catch the English crown; and from that torment I will free myself or hew my way out with a bloody axe. Why, I can smile, and murder while I smile, and cry ‘content’ to that which grieves my heart, and wet my cheeks with artificial tears, and frame my face to all occasions. I can add colour to a chameleon and set the murderous Machiavel to school. Can I do this and not get a crown?“

Analysis

Everything changes so quickly in this portion of the play.  Henry is despondent as he wanders England and even more so as he is brought as a prisoner to Edward, who immediately assigns him to the Tower.  Marriages were an important way for monarchs to align allies and overcome enemies and just as King Henry’s marriage to Margaret is seen by many as a disastrous alliance and a main reason for his troubles, King Edward has just made a similar miscalculation, alienating much of his support in his choice of a wife.  But this act belongs to Richard, who takes centre stage for the first time.  In this, Shakespeare’s first great soliloquy, we are ushered into his world of impatience, alienation and a degree of ruthlessness not previously revealed.  His deformities preclude the courtly life and the many claimants ahead of him cause him to determine to “hew my way out with a bloody axe and smile and murder as I smile, setting the murderous Machiavel to school.”  Richard reminds us of the vice figures in the medieval dramas Shakespeare would have been familiar with.  He references Machiavelli, the Renaissance advocate for ruthless political cunning.  At the same time his deformities now appear as a sign of his evil inner being, or perhaps merely an excuse for what he is about to do over the next seven acts in this play and his own.  Here is our initial close encounter with the interior motivation of Shakespeare’s first masterpiece of a character, Richard of Gloucester, soon to be Richard III.

Act III

Scene iii

France. The King’s palace

Enter Louis (the French King), Bona (his sister), Prince Edward and Queen Margaret.

King Louis: “Why, say, fair Queen, whence springs this deep despair?”

Queen Margaret: “King Henry has become a banished man, while proud and ambitious Edward, Duke of York, usurps the regal title. This is the cause that I, poor Margaret, with this my son, Prince Edward, Henry’s heir, am come to crave thy just and lawful aid; and if thou fail us, all our hope is done.”

Enter Warwick

King Louis: “Brave Warwick, what brings thee to France?”

Warwick: “From worthy England, I come in kindness to crave a league of amity, with a nuptial knot, if thou vouchsafe to grant thy virtuous Lady Bona, thy fair sister, to England’s King, in lawful marriage.”

Queen Margaret: (an aside) “If that go forward, Henry’s hope is done.”

Warwick: (to Bona) “And, gracious madam, in our King’s behalf I am commanded to tell the passion of my sovereign’s heart.”

King Louis: “Then, Warwick, thus our sister shall be Edward’s.”

Queen Margaret: “Impudent and shameless Warwick, proud setter up and puller down of kings!”

Enter messenger

Messenger: “My Lord Warwick, these letters are for you and the Queen.”

King Louis: “Warwick, what is thy news? And yours, fair Margaret?”

Queen Margaret: “Mine such as fill my heart with unhoped joys.”

Warwick: “Mine full of sorrow.”

King Louis: “What, has your king married the lady Grey? Dare he presume to scorn us in this manner?”

Warwick: “I am clear from this misdeed of Edward’s – no more my king. I here renounce him and return to Henry. My noble Queen, let former grudges pass, and henceforth I am thy true servitor. I will revenge his wrong to Lady Bona, and replant Henry in his former state.”

Queen Margaret: “Warwick, these words have turned my hate to love and joy that thou becomes Henry’s friend.”

Warwick: “So much his friend, that if King Louis vouchsafe to furnish us with soldiers I’ll undertake to land them on our coast and force the tyrant from his seat by war. And as for Clarence, as my letter tells me, he’s very likely now to fall from him.”

King Louis: “I firmly am resolved that you shall have aid. Warwick, thou with five thousand men shall cross the seas and bid false Edward battle. I long till Edward falls by war’s mischance for mocking marriage with a dame of France.”

Analysis

Edward has sent Warwick to arrange a marriage with the French King’s sister and doesn’t he end up marrying Lady Grey, thus alienating, in one fell swoop, his own brother Clarence, Warwick, and the French King. The wheel of history can turn on such mischance. He should have learned from Henry and thought more about his marriage alliance.

Act IV (8 scenes)

Scene i

London. The palace.

Enter Gloucester, Clarence, Monague, King Edward, Lady Grey (Queen Elizabeth) and Hastings

Gloucester: “Now, tell me, brother Clarence, what think you of this new marriage with the Lady Grey?”

Clarence: “I mind to tell him plainly what I think.”

King Edward: “Now, Brother of Clarence, how like you our choice that you stand pensive and malcontent?”

Clarence: “As well as Louis of France or Warwick.”

King Edward: “They are but Louis and Warwick. I am Edward, your king, and must have my will. Tell me some reason why the Lady Grey should not become my wife and England’s Queen.”

Clarence: “King Louis becomes your enemy for mocking him about the marriage of the Lady Bona.”

Gloucester: “And Warwick in now dishonoured by this new marriage.”

Montague: “To have joined with France in such alliance would more have strengthened our commonwealth against foreign storms than any home-bred marriage.”

Clarence: “I shortly mind to leave you.”

King Edward: “Edward will be king and not be tied to his brother’s will.”

Gloucester: ” (aside) “I hear, yet say not much, but think the more.“

Clarence: “Now, brother king, farewell.”

Somerset follows Clarence

Gloucester: (aside) “Not I. My thoughts aim at a further matter; I stay not for the love of Edward but the crown.”

Edward: “Now, brother Richard, will you stand by us?”

Gloucester: “Ay.”

King Edward: “Why, then am I sure of victory.”

Analysis

Marriages were a major deal and involved so much more than the love life of the king. The entire kingdom may be affected by a monarch’s choice of marriage partner. The evidence is plain to see in King Henry’s decision to marry Margaret. The dukes and lords were disapproving and it caused the court to become more infected with rancor than it already was. King Edward actually sent Warwick to France to arrange his marriage to the French king’s sister, only to decide on Lady Grey in the interim. This alienated the French, Warwick, Clarence, Somerset and, no doubt, many others, and dramatically altered the power struggle between the two houses competing for the English crown. Richard of Gloucester is no more impressed by his brother’s marriage than anyone else, but he assumes to be loyal in order to remain close to the crown he so desires. This will prove a wise strategy, moving forward.

Act IV

Scene ii

A plain in Warwickshire

Warwick: “The common people by numbers swarm to us.”

Enter Clarence and Somerset

Warwick: “Somerset and Clarence, my lords – are we all friends?”

Clarence: “Fear not that, my lord.”

Warwick: “Thy brother being carelessly encamped, we may surprise and take him – I say not slaughter him.”

They all cry ‘Henry!’

Analysis

The forces allied against King Edward are formidable and on the move.

Act IV

Scene iii

Edward’s camp, near Warwick

Enter Warwick, Clarence, Oxford and French soldiers

Warwick: “This is his tent. Edward shall be ours. Here is the Duke.”

King Edward: “The Duke! Why, Warwick, when we parted thou called me king.”

Warwick: “Ay, but the case is altered. When you disgraced me I degraded you from being king. How should you govern any kingdom, who knows not how to use ambassadors and knows not how to use your brothers brotherly.”

Warwick takes off King Edward’s crown

Warwick: “Henry shall now wear the English crown.”

They lead Edward our forcefully

Oxford: “What now remains, my lords, for us to do but march to London with our soldiers?”

Warwick: “Ay, and free Henry from imprisonment and see him seated in the regal throne.”

Analysis

So the ill advised marriage has cost Edward his crown… at least for now.

Act IV

Scene iv

London. The Palace

Enter Queen Elizabeth and Rivers

Rivers: “Is my sovereign slain?”

Queen Elizabeth: “Ay, almost slain, for he is taken prisoner.”

Rivers: “Yet gracious madam, Warwick may lose that now hath won the day.”

Queen Elizabeth: “For the love of Edward’s offspring in my womb. Let us fly while we may fly; if Warwick takes us, we are sure to die.”

Analysis

The Queen of England, Edward’s wife, flees London as Warwick approaches with his army, for surely she would not be spared, as the cause of this entire affair.

Act IV

Scene v

A park in Yorkshire

Enter Gloucester, Lord Hastings and others.

Gloucester: “Our king, my brother, is prisoner here but is attended by weak guard. He shall here find his friends to set him free from his captivity.”

Edward is freed

Gloucester: “Brother, the time and case require haste. Your horse stands ready.”

Analysis

Warwick is not the only effective king maker. Richard wants to keep that crown close, and so Edward is free again.

Act IV

Scene vi

Enter King Henry, Clarence, Warwick, Somerset and young Henry of Richmond (the future King Henry VII)

King Henry: “Warwick, after God, thou set me free, therefore I thank God and thee. Warwick and Clarence, I make you both protectors of this land, while I myself will lead a private life and in devotion spend my latter days.”

Warwick: “We’ll yoke together. It is more than needful that Edward be pronounced a traitor and all his lands and goods be confiscated.”

King Henry: “My Lord of Somerset, what youth is that.“

Somerset: “My liege, it is young Henry, Earl of Richmond.”

King Henry: “Come hither, England’s hope.”

The King lays hands on young Henry’s head

King Henry: “This pretty lad will prove our country’s bliss. His looks are full of peaceful majesty; his head by nature framed to wear a crown, his hand to wield a sceptre; and himself likely in time to bless a regal throne. Make much of him, my lords; for this is he who must help you more than you are hurt by me.”

Enter a messenger

Warwick: “What news?”

Messenger: “That Edward has escaped and fled to Burgundy.”

Somerset: “I like not this flight of Edward’s, for doubtless Burgundy will yield him help and we shall have more wars before long. This young Richmond we’ll send hence to Brittany, till storms be past of civil enmity.”

Analysis

The back and forth nature of this conflict is pendulous indeed. Edward has been sprung free and more wars now seem inevitable. Prophecies play an enormous role in Shakespeare productions and King Henry has prophesied quite accurately in his recognition of young Henry of Richmond as one who will some day prove England’s bliss and wear the crown. This is the young lad who will save England from the violent and willful King Richard III, resolve the War of the Roses, found the Tudor dynasty and sire the notable King Henry VIII, whose daughter will be none other than Queen Elizabeth I, Shakespeare’s Queen.

Act IV

Scene vii

Before York

Enter Edward, Gloucester, Hastings and soldiers

Edward: “We now forget our title to the crown, and only claim our Dukedom until God pleases to send the rest. When we grow stronger, then we’ll make our claim. Till then tis wisdom to conceal our meaning.”

Gloucester: “Fearless minds climb soonest unto crowns.”

Edward: “Tis my right, and Henry but usurps the diadem.”

Hastings: “Edward shall be here proclaimed.”

Soldier reads: “Edward the Fourth, by the grace of God, King of England and France, etc”

All: “Long live Edward the Fourth!”

King Edward: “Thanks unto you all. Ah, Clarence, how evil it beseems thee to flatter Henry and forsake thy brother.”

Analysis

So in essence there are two kings and two queens, struggling mightily back and forth for the one crown. In Act IV Edward has been crowned, exiled and crowned again, while Henry has been imprisoned , crowned and imprisoned again. How difficult must this have been on the English population at the time. But with one scene plus one act remaining in Henry VI’s final play, and knowing that the next play in sequence is titled King Richard III, I believe we have some idea of what lies ahead in these remaining pages.

Act IV

Scene viii

London. The Palace.

Enter King Henry, Warwick, Clarence and Essex

Warwick: “Edward doth march to London and many giddy people flock to him.”

King Henry: “Let’s levy men and beat him back again. Why should they love Edward more than me?”

Exeter: “Hark, my lord! What shouts are these?”

Enter King Edward, Gloucester and soldiers

King Edward: “Seize on the shame-faced Henry; bear him hence, and once again proclaim us King of England. Hence with him to the Tower. Let him not speak. And lords, toward Coventry, where Warwick now remains.”

Analysis

The tide turns yet again, as suggested, but this time the writing really is on the wall. King Henry, Queen Margaret and Warwick are separated from one another and Act V will see them finally separated for good from the crown itself. Again, these Henry VI plays were the biggest hits of the seasons when they were staged in the early 1590s. The English audiences absolutely revelled in the rendering of these dramatically tumultuous events known to history as the War of the Roses. They also established Shakespeare as the most significant new playwright on the London scene. Little did they know that he was only just getting his legs under him as a writer. Richard III would be his first blockbuster masterpiece the following year, in 1592.

Act V (7 scenes)

Scene i

Coventry

Enter King Edward, Gloucester and soldiers

Gloucester: “See how the surly Warwick mans the wall.”

Warwick: “O unbid spite. Is sportful Edward come?”

King Edward: “Now, Warwick, will thou open the city gates, call Edward king and beg mercy?”

Warwick: “Nay, confess who set thee up and plucked thee down. Thou shall remain the Duke of York. Henry is my king.”

King Edward: “But Warwick’s king is Edward’s prisoner. This hand, while thy head is warm and new cut off, will write in the dust with thy blood: ‘wind-changing Warwick now can change no more.”

Oxford, Montague, Somerset and Clarence enter the city in support of King Henry.

King Edward: “A parlay to George of Clarence.”

Clarence takes off his red rose and throws it in the face of Warwick.

Clarence: “I throw my infamy at thee. I will not ruinate my father’s house. I am so sorry for my trespass made, and so, proud-hearted Warwick, I defy thee. Pardon me, Edward. I will make amends, and Richard, do not frown upon my faults.”

King Edward: “Ten times more beloved than if thou never did deserve our hate.”

Warwick: “I will bid thee battle, Edward.”

King Edward: “Lords, to the field. Saint George and victory!”

Analysis

Act 4 began with Edward as King of England, after which he has been deserted, captured, freed by Richard and then made king again.  But as Act 5 begins Edward is on the throne and this time Richard will ensure that this is where he will remain until his death.  Richard needs now only contend for the crown with his own family: King Edward and his sons the princes, and brother Clarence.  But first the final battles.

Act V

Scene ii

A field of battle

Enter King Edward with wounded Warwick

King Edward: “So, lie thou there and die thou.”

Warwick: “I must yield my body to the earth, my glory smeared in dust and blood.”

Warwick dies

Analysis

Edward has the momentum to finally assume power. King Henry is in the Tower and Warwick has been slain. Only Margaret and the Prince remain at large… for now.

Act V

Scene iii

Another part of the field

Enter King Edward, in triumph, with Gloucester, Clarence and others.

King Edward: “Our fortune keeps an upward course, and we are graced with wreaths of victory. I spy a black, suspicious, threatening cloud. I mean, my lords, those powers that the Queen has raised.”

Gloucester: “The Queen is valued thirty-thousand strong. As we march our strength will be augmented in every county as we go along.”

Analysis

One battle but remains. And we are led to believe it could go either way, except that the momentum is well established.

Act V

Scene iv

Plains near Tewksbury

Enter Queen Margaret, Prince Edward, Somerset, Oxford and others

Queen Margaret: “Great lords, though the mast be blown overboard, the cable broke, the holding-anchor lost, and half our sailors swallowed in the flood, while the ship splits on rocks – ah, what a shame – we will not sit and weep, but keep our course, and what is Edward but a ruthless sea. Why courage then! What cannot be avoided twere childish weakness to lament or fear.“

Oxford: “O brave young Prince! Thy famous grandfather does live again in thee.”

Enter a messenger

Messenger: “Prepare you, lords, for Edward is at hand ready to fight.”

Somerset: “We are in readiness.”

Enter at a distance Edward, Gloucester, Clarence and soldiers

King Edward: “Give signal to the fight, and to it, lords!”

Queen Margaret: “Henry, your sovereign, is prisoner to the foe; his state usurped, his realm a slaughter-house, his subjects slain; and yonder is the wolf that makes this spoil. You fight in justice. In God’s name, lords, be valiant.“

Analysis

Margaret’s speech tells us pretty much all we need to know. Three scenes of resolution remain.

Act V

Scene v

Another part of the field

Enter King Edward, Clarence, Gloucester and forces with Queen Margaret, Oxford and Somerset prisoners.

King Edward: “Away with Oxford to the castle straight. For Somerset, off with his guilty head. I will not hear them speak.”

Enter soldiers with Prince Edward

Prince: “Speak like a subject, proud, ambitious York. Suppose that I am now my father’s mouth. Resign thy chair.”

Queen Margaret: “Ah, that thy father had been so resolved.”

Gloucester: “By heaven brat, I’ll plague thee.”

Queen Margaret: “Thou was born to be a plague to men.”

Gloucester: “For God’s sake, take away this captive scold.”

Prince: “Nay, take away this scolding crook-back, rather. You are all undutiful. Lascivious Edward, and thou perjured George, and thou misshapen Dick. I tell you all I am your better, traitors as thee are.”

King Edward, Gloucester and Clarence stab the Prince, who dies.

Queen Margaret: “O, kill me too!”

Gloucester: “Marry and shall” (goes to kill her)

King Edward: “Hold, Richard, for we have done too much.”

Gloucester: “Why should she live to fill the world with words? I will hence to London on a serious matter. The Tower! The Tower!”

Queen Margaret: “O Ned, sweet Ned. Speak to thy mother, boy! Can thou not speak? O traitors! Murderers! A child. My heart will burst. Butchers and villains! Cannibals!”

King Edward: “Away with her.”

Queen Margaret: “Never bear me hence; dispatch me here. I’ll pardon thee my death. Where is that devil’s butcher, hard favoured Richard?”

King Edward: “Where has Richard gone?”

Clarence: “To London, all in haste.”

King Edward: “He’s sudden, if a thing comes in his head. Let’s away to London and see our gentle Queen. I hope she hath a son for me.”

Analysis

We near the end with only one dramatic event remaining. The killing of King Richard II by Henry IV is what started all of this controversy. The ensuing murder of King Henry VI by Richard will end that feud but begin another one. Richard has already killed Somerset, Clifford and Prince Edward. But his next victim is one who should never be murdered. But Richard is most ruthless and the killings in his own play will easily outnumber those of Henry’s plays and he himself will have to be dispatched, to no one’s disapproval.

Act V

Scene vi

London. The Tower

Enter King Henry and Gloucester, with a lieutenant

Gloucester: “Good day, my lord.”

King Henry: “Ay, my good lord.”

Gloucester: (to the lieutenant) “Leave us to ourselves. We must confer.”

King Henry: “Wherefore dost thou come? Is it for my life?”

Gloucester: “Think thou I am an executioner?”

King Henry: “If murdering innocents be executing, why then, thou art an executioner.”

Gloucester: “Thy son I killed for his presumption.”

King Henry: “Thus I prophesy: that many a thousand, and many an old man’s sigh, and many a widow’s, and many an orphan’s tear stained eye – men for their sons, wives for their husbands, orphans for their parents’ timeless death – shall rue the hour that ever thou was born. The owl shrieked at thy birth, the night crow cried, dogs howled and hideous tempests shook down trees. Thy mother felt more than a mother’s pain, and yet brought forth less than a mother’s hope, to wit, an indigent, deformed lump. Teeth had thou in thy head when thou was born to signify that thou came to bite the world.”

Gloucester: “I’ll hear no more. Die prophet, in thy speech.” (He stabs King Henry). “For this, amongst the rest, was I ordained.”

King Henry: “Ay, and for much more slaughter after this.”

King Henry dies

Gloucester: “If any spark of life be yet remaining, down, down to hell; and say I sent thee hither.”

Gloucester stabs Henry again

Gloucester: “I, that neither have pity, love, nor fear. Indeed, tis true what Henry told me of; for I have often heard my mother say I came into the world with my legs forward. The midwives wondered and the women cried ‘O, Jesus bless us, he is born with teeth!’ And so I was, which plainly signified that I should snarl and bite and play the dog. Then, since the heavens have shaped my body so, let hell make crooked my mind to answer it. I have no brother; I am like no brother; I am myself alone. Clarence, beware. Edward shall be fearful of his life; I’ll be thy death. King Henry and the Prince his son are gone. Clarence, thy turn is next, and then the rest; counting myself but bad till I be best.”

Analysis

This scene is the perfect prologue to King Richard III. Richard exposes himself to himself and to us. And he is a man of his word, if nothing else. He will live by the sword and finally die by the sword. And, as Henry prophesied, all of England will suffer his indignities.

Act V

Scene vii

London. The palace.

Enter King Edward, Queen Elizabeth, Clarence, Gloucester, and a nurse with the newborn Prince.

King Edward: “Once more we sit upon England’s royal throne, repurchased with the blood of enemies. Thus have we swept suspicion from our seat and made our footstool of security. Come hither, Bess, and let me kiss my boy. Clarence and Gloucester, love my lovely Queen and kiss your princely nephew, brothers both.”

Gloucester: “And that I love the tree from whence thou sprang, witness the loving kiss I give the fruit.” (aside) “To say the truth, so Judas kissed his master and cried ‘all hail’ when he meant ‘all harm’.”

King Edward: “Now I am seated as my soul delights, having my country’s peace and my brother’s love. And now what rests but that we spend the time with stately triumphs and mirthful comic shows. For here, I hope, begins our lasting joy.”

Analysis

The War of the Roses has concluded, as Richard now only faces his own family in his quest for the crown and all of our focus now turns to him.  He has been cursed by the heavens with an unnatural body and spirit and decides to embrace it, renouncing all ties and acknowledging himself as the monstrous individual of deformed ambition.  Is he who he is because the fates have punished him with so much unnatural deformity or is this merely an excuse for his inner nature?  Shakespeare’s brilliant and shocking Richard III will further examine these questions.  The Yorkists have defeated the Lancastrians.  Next, they must struggle within their own family before the nation is rescued by Queen Elizabeth’s Tudor Grandfather.

Final Thoughts:

For the purposes of writing a good story Shakespeare collapsed historic time from over 50 years to several key moments, omitting anything that interfered with his dramatic presentation of events.  True Shakespearean genius is increasingly revealed throughout Henry VI.  King Henry, Talbot, Joan of Arc, Jack Cade, Margaret and Richard are all superbly drawn and presented, as are several of the lords, including Gloucester and York.  Richard can overwhelm Part III and is altogether deserving of his upcoming play.  Henry VI, Parts I-III, was very popular during Shakespeare’s lifetime.  However, Part III was never again resurrected until the entire trilogy was presented in the 20^th century.  Again, you can watch the four play sequence, including Richard III, in the brilliantly performed Royal Shakespeare Company production of The War of the Roses (1965) and the equally impressive BBC production of The Hollow Crown – The War of the Roses, all available on youtube.  In 2012 the BBC also produced the four history plays of Richard II, Henry IV, Part I, Henry IV, Part II and Henry V.