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| Character | King Henry VI | |
|---|---|---|
| Gender | Male | |
| Age Range(s) | Adult (36-50), Senior (>50) | |
| Type of monologue / Character is | Talking to the audience, Pondering/Pensive | |
| Type | Dramatic | |
| Period | Renaissance | |
| Genre | Historical, Drama | |
| Description | King Henry VI reflects whether the King of France will help Margaret or Warwick | |
| Location | ACT III, Scene 1 | |
Summary
In the first scene of the play the Duke of York organizes a revolt against King Henry VI and wins. However, he promises King Henry VI that he will let him rule England until his death. The Duke of York will be his successor. York's sons, Edward and Richard, persuade their father to break his promise and seize the crown before Henry's death. York is persuaded to fight against Henry's army.
The two opposing sides fight and York is killed. York's army, however, prevails and the king flees with his army. King Henry flees to Scotland. In this scene he is in the forest. He reflects on the news that Margaret and Prince Edward are gone to France to ask for help. Warwick, however, is in France too, to ask the king to give his sister in marriage to Edward. He wonders who the King of France will support, the pitiful Margaret or the subtle orator Warwick.
The two opposing sides fight and York is killed. York's army, however, prevails and the king flees with his army. King Henry flees to Scotland. In this scene he is in the forest. He reflects on the news that Margaret and Prince Edward are gone to France to ask for help. Warwick, however, is in France too, to ask the king to give his sister in marriage to Edward. He wonders who the King of France will support, the pitiful Margaret or the subtle orator Warwick.
Written by Administrator
| Excerpt |
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| KING HENRY VI My queen and son are gone to France for aid; And, as I hear, the great commanding Warwick Is thither gone, to crave the French king's sister To wife for Edward: if this news be true, Poor queen and son, your labour is but lost; For Warwick is a subtle orator, And Lewis a prince soon won with moving words. By this account then Margaret may win him; For she's a woman to be pitied much: Her sighs will make a battery in his breast; Her tears will pierce into a marble heart; The tiger will be mild whiles she doth mourn; And Nero will be tainted with remorse, To hear and see her plaints, her brinish tears. Ay, but she's come to beg, Warwick to give; She, on his left side, craving aid for Henry, He, on his right, asking a wife for Edward. She weeps, and says her Henry is deposed; He smiles, and says his Edward is install'd; That she, poor wretch, for grief can speak no more; Whiles Warwick tells his title, smooths the wrong, Inferreth arguments of mighty strength, And in conclusion wins the king from her, With promise of his sister, and what else, To strengthen and support King Edward's place. O Margaret, thus 'twill be; and thou, poor soul, Art then forsaken, as thou went'st forlorn! |
