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| Character | Gloucester, the Protector of the Realm Duchess, Gloucester's wife | |
|---|---|---|
| Scene type / Who are | Married | |
| Type | Dramatic | |
| Period | Renaissance | |
| Genre | Historical, Drama | |
| Props | A staff (a stick or a cane) | |
| Description | Gloucester is surprised by his wife's thoughts | |
| Location | ACT I, Scene 2 | |
Summary
Gloucester, the Protector of England, talks to his wife Eleanor. She asks him why he looks so sad. She asks if he is dreaming about Henry's throne and if so to do something about it.
Gloucester urges her not to have such ambitious thoughts and that he supports King Henry. What is making him sad are the dreams that he had the night before, that is his staff was broken in two and the heads of Somerset and Suffolk on top of them.
She tells him she had a dream too, that is that she was crowned queen of England at Westminster Abbey with King Henry and Margaret at her feet.
Gloucester is surprised and urges his wife not to have such treacherous thoughts. As Gloucester leaves she considers how, if she were in her husband's place, would pursue the throne with more determination but being a woman she has to be subtle with her schemes.
Gloucester urges her not to have such ambitious thoughts and that he supports King Henry. What is making him sad are the dreams that he had the night before, that is his staff was broken in two and the heads of Somerset and Suffolk on top of them.
She tells him she had a dream too, that is that she was crowned queen of England at Westminster Abbey with King Henry and Margaret at her feet.
Gloucester is surprised and urges his wife not to have such treacherous thoughts. As Gloucester leaves she considers how, if she were in her husband's place, would pursue the throne with more determination but being a woman she has to be subtle with her schemes.
Written by Administrator
| Excerpt |
|---|
| [Enter GLOUCESTER and his DUCHESS] DUCHESS Why droops my lord, like over-ripen'd corn, Hanging the head at Ceres' plenteous load? Why doth the great Duke Humphrey knit his brows, As frowning at the favours of the world? Why are thine eyes fixed to the sullen earth, Gazing on that which seems to dim thy sight? What seest thou there? King Henry's diadem, Enchased with all the honours of the world? If so, gaze on, and grovel on thy face, Until thy head be circled with the same. Put forth thy hand, reach at the glorious gold. What, is't too short? I'll lengthen it with mine: And, having both together heaved it up, We'll both together lift our heads to heaven, And never more abase our sight so low As to vouchsafe one glance unto the ground. GLOUCESTER O Nell, sweet Nell, if thou dost love thy lord, Banish the canker of ambitious thoughts. And may that thought, when I imagine ill Against my king and nephew, virtuous Henry, Be my last breathing in this mortal world! My troublous dream this night doth make me sad. DUCHESS What dream'd my lord? tell me, and I'll requite it With sweet rehearsal of my morning's dream. GLOUCESTER Methought this staff, mine office-badge in court, Was broke in twain; by whom I have forgot, But, as I think, it was by the cardinal; And on the pieces of the broken wand Were placed the heads of Edmund Duke of Somerset, And William de la Pole, first duke of Suffolk. This was my dream: what it doth bode, God knows. DUCHESS Tut, this was nothing but an argument That he that breaks a stick of Gloucester's grove Shall lose his head for his presumption. But list to me, my Humphrey, my sweet duke: Methought I sat in seat of majesty In the cathedral church of Westminster, And in that chair where kings and queens are crown'd; Where Henry and dame Margaret kneel'd to me And on my head did set the diadem. GLOUCESTER Nay, Eleanor, then must I chide outright: Presumptuous dame, ill-nurtured Eleanor, Art thou not second woman in the realm, And the protector's wife, beloved of him? Hast thou not worldly pleasure at command, Above the reach or compass of thy thought? And wilt thou still be hammering treachery, To tumble down thy husband and thyself From top of honour to disgrace's feet? Away from me, and let me hear no more! DUCHESS What, what, my lord! are you so choleric With Eleanor, for telling but her dream? Next time I'll keep my dreams unto myself, And not be cheque'd. GLOUCESTER Nay, be not angry; I am pleased again. [Enter Messenger] Messenger My lord protector, 'tis his highness' pleasure You do prepare to ride unto Saint Alban's, Where as the king and queen do mean to hawk. GLOUCESTER I go. Come, Nell, thou wilt ride with us? DUCHESS Yes, my good lord, I'll follow presently. [Exeunt GLOUCESTER and Messenger] Follow I must; I cannot go before, While Gloucester bears this base and humble mind. Were I a man, a duke, and next of blood, I would remove these tedious stumbling-blocks And smooth my way upon their headless necks; And, being a woman, I will not be slack To play my part in Fortune's pageant. Where are you there? Sir John! nay, fear not, man, We are alone; here's none but thee and I. |
Comments
Gloucester appears sad and thoughtful at the beginning. The Duchess is presented right away as a scheming ambitious woman as she urges her husband to put his sights on the English crown. She acts as a caring and loving wife but wastes no time in expressing her ambitions.
Gloucester is surprised by his wife's thoughts. He is also confused by the malicious dreams he had the night before.
As Eleanor passionately describes her dreams of being crowned Gloucester gets angry and tells her not to have such treacherous thoughts.
The Duchess gets upset and turns her back to him. Gloucester apologizes.
As Gloucester leaves she expresses her schemes to get to the throne addressing the audience.
Gloucester is surprised by his wife's thoughts. He is also confused by the malicious dreams he had the night before.
As Eleanor passionately describes her dreams of being crowned Gloucester gets angry and tells her not to have such treacherous thoughts.
The Duchess gets upset and turns her back to him. Gloucester apologizes.
As Gloucester leaves she expresses her schemes to get to the throne addressing the audience.
