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| Character | Gloucester, the Protector of the Realm | |
|---|---|---|
| Gender | Male | |
| Age Range(s) | Adult (36-50), Senior (>50) | |
| Type | Dramatic | |
| Period | Renaissance | |
| Genre | Historical, Drama | |
| Description | Gloucester reacts to his conviction | |
| Location | ACT III, Scene 1 | |
Summary
This scene takes place at the Parliament. Present are King Henry and Queen Margaret, the lords Suffolk, Warwick, York, Salisbury, Buckingham and Cardinal Beaufort. King Henry has summoned Gloucester to the parliament and wonders where he is. Margaret advices the king and the lords present at the parliament not to trust Gloucester, whom she thinks wants to be the next king of England and is planning a revolt.
Gloucester arrives and is arrested by Suffolk who accuses him of treason. York supports Suffolk and accuses Gloucester of not having sent money to the soldiers in France (see Henry VI, Part 1...) during the war and thus of being responsible for losing the French territories.
The king tells Gloucester that he hopes he will prove that he is innocent.
In this monologue Gloucester tells the king that they are living in dangerous times. The king is surrounded by ambitious people that are constantly scheming to gain more power. He argues that several nobles want his death and that if his death meant the end of tyranny, he would gladly die. He talks of Beaufort's malice, Suffolk's hate, Buckingham's envy and York's ambition. Gloucester knows that he will likely be found guilty since they have all plotted against him and will do anything in their power to get rid of him.
Gloucester arrives and is arrested by Suffolk who accuses him of treason. York supports Suffolk and accuses Gloucester of not having sent money to the soldiers in France (see Henry VI, Part 1...) during the war and thus of being responsible for losing the French territories.
The king tells Gloucester that he hopes he will prove that he is innocent.
In this monologue Gloucester tells the king that they are living in dangerous times. The king is surrounded by ambitious people that are constantly scheming to gain more power. He argues that several nobles want his death and that if his death meant the end of tyranny, he would gladly die. He talks of Beaufort's malice, Suffolk's hate, Buckingham's envy and York's ambition. Gloucester knows that he will likely be found guilty since they have all plotted against him and will do anything in their power to get rid of him.
Written by Administrator
| Excerpt |
|---|
| GLOUCESTER Ah, gracious lord, these days are dangerous: Virtue is choked with foul ambition And charity chased hence by rancour's hand; Foul subornation is predominant And equity exiled your highness' land. I know their complot is to have my life, And if my death might make this island happy, And prove the period of their tyranny, I would expend it with all willingness: But mine is made the prologue to their play; For thousands more, that yet suspect no peril, Will not conclude their plotted tragedy. Beaufort's red sparkling eyes blab his heart's malice, And Suffolk's cloudy brow his stormy hate; Sharp Buckingham unburthens with his tongue The envious load that lies upon his heart; And dogged York, that reaches at the moon, Whose overweening arm I have pluck'd back, By false accuse doth level at my life: And you, my sovereign lady, with the rest, Causeless have laid disgraces on my head, And with your best endeavour have stirr'd up My liefest liege to be mine enemy: Ay, all you have laid your heads together-- Myself had notice of your conventicles-- And all to make away my guiltless life. I shall not want false witness to condemn me, Nor store of treasons to augment my guilt; The ancient proverb will be well effected: 'A staff is quickly found to beat a dog.' |
Comments
This is a good audition monologue. The monologue starts in a low key tone as Gloucester urges the king to see what's really going on in the court as various English lords are scheming to get rid of him.
The emotion rises as Gloucester addresses the various lords and the queen. He expresses his anger and accuses them one by one of plotting against him for their own advantage.
The emotion rises as Gloucester addresses the various lords and the queen. He expresses his anger and accuses them one by one of plotting against him for their own advantage.
