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| Character | York | |
|---|---|---|
| Gender | Male | |
| Age Range(s) | Adult (36-50), Senior (>50) | |
| Type of monologue / Character is | Angry, Descriptive, Lamenting, Complaining | |
| Type | Dramatic | |
| Period | Renaissance | |
| Genre | Historical, Drama | |
| Props | A white rose | |
| Description | York describes England's political situation | |
| Location | ACT I, Scene 1 | |
Summary
This monologue comes at the end of the first scene of Act I. The French wars are over and King Henry VI has decided to marry Margaret of Anjou. In order for the marriage to take place he has to give up the lands of Maine and Anjou to the French.
Gloucester expresses his disappointment over the treaty. Cardinal Beaufort urges the other English lords not to trust Gloucester. Salisbury addresses York and Warwick and asks them to side with Gloucester and not to trust the Cardinal.
In this last monologue York describes the current political situation in England. He is angry because the king has given away the lands of Anjou and Maine but can't do anything about it. He talks about his ambitions for the English throne. He decides to side with Warwick and Salisbury until the right moment arrives when he will destroy the house of Lancaster and become king.
Gloucester expresses his disappointment over the treaty. Cardinal Beaufort urges the other English lords not to trust Gloucester. Salisbury addresses York and Warwick and asks them to side with Gloucester and not to trust the Cardinal.
In this last monologue York describes the current political situation in England. He is angry because the king has given away the lands of Anjou and Maine but can't do anything about it. He talks about his ambitions for the English throne. He decides to side with Warwick and Salisbury until the right moment arrives when he will destroy the house of Lancaster and become king.
Written by Administrator
| Excerpt |
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| YORK Anjou and Maine are given to the French; Paris is lost; the state of Normandy Stands on a tickle point, now they are gone: Suffolk concluded on the articles, The peers agreed, and Henry was well pleased To change two dukedoms for a duke's fair daughter. I cannot blame them all: what is't to them? 'Tis thine they give away, and not their own. Pirates may make cheap pennyworths of their pillage And purchase friends and give to courtezans, Still revelling like lords till all be gone; While as the silly owner of the goods Weeps over them and wrings his hapless hands And shakes his head and trembling stands aloof, While all is shared and all is borne away, Ready to starve and dare not touch his own: So York must sit and fret and bite his tongue, While his own lands are bargain'd for and sold. Methinks the realms of England, France and Ireland Bear that proportion to my flesh and blood As did the fatal brand Althaea burn'd Unto the prince's heart of Calydon. Anjou and Maine both given unto the French! Cold news for me, for I had hope of France, Even as I have of fertile England's soil. A day will come when York shall claim his own; And therefore I will take the Nevils' parts And make a show of love to proud Duke Humphrey, And, when I spy advantage, claim the crown, For that's the golden mark I seek to hit: Nor shall proud Lancaster usurp my right, Nor hold the sceptre in his childish fist, Nor wear the diadem upon his head, Whose church-like humours fits not for a crown. Then, York, be still awhile, till time do serve: Watch thou and wake when others be asleep, To pry into the secrets of the state; Till Henry, surfeiting in joys of love, With his new bride and England's dear-bought queen, And Humphrey with the peers be fall'n at jars: Then will I raise aloft the milk-white rose, With whose sweet smell the air shall be perfumed; And in my standard bear the arms of York To grapple with the house of Lancaster; And, force perforce, I'll make him yield the crown, Whose bookish rule hath pull'd fair England down. |
Comments
York is upset. The monologue is mostly descriptive in the beginning, should start in a low and thoughtful tone but the actor should show that York is upset by the recent political events.
For most of the monologue the character thinks to himself and at time he addresses the audience ("Pirates may make cheap pennyworths.....").
His anger should really show in a few key sentences ("So York must sit and fret.......bargain'd for and sold") ("Anjou and Maine both given unto the French!").
The actor should show the hatred the character feels towards Lancaster ("Nor shall proud Lancaster usurp my right......").
In the last part of the monologue York tells us his plans to get to the throne and the actor should address the audience.
For most of the monologue the character thinks to himself and at time he addresses the audience ("Pirates may make cheap pennyworths.....").
His anger should really show in a few key sentences ("So York must sit and fret.......bargain'd for and sold") ("Anjou and Maine both given unto the French!").
The actor should show the hatred the character feels towards Lancaster ("Nor shall proud Lancaster usurp my right......").
In the last part of the monologue York tells us his plans to get to the throne and the actor should address the audience.
