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| Character | Clifford | |
|---|---|---|
| Gender | Male | |
| Age Range(s) | Adult (36-50), Senior (>50) | |
| Type of monologue / Character is | Persuasive | |
| Type | Dramatic | |
| Period | Renaissance | |
| Genre | Historical, Drama | |
| Description | Clifford urges King Henry to get his kingdom back | |
| Location | ACT II, Scene 2 | |
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.
York loses the battle and is killed. In this scene King Henry, Margaret, Clifford, Northumberland and Prince Edward arrive at the town of York. Margaret shows the King York's head on the city wall. When Henry tells them that he is not happy about this sight, Clifford urges the King to be merciless with his enemy, the house of Lancaster (York). He tells the king that he should learn from the natural world where the instinct of survival drives each animal to kill when needed. King Henry should get his kingdom back and give his son the right to the crown.
York loses the battle and is killed. In this scene King Henry, Margaret, Clifford, Northumberland and Prince Edward arrive at the town of York. Margaret shows the King York's head on the city wall. When Henry tells them that he is not happy about this sight, Clifford urges the King to be merciless with his enemy, the house of Lancaster (York). He tells the king that he should learn from the natural world where the instinct of survival drives each animal to kill when needed. King Henry should get his kingdom back and give his son the right to the crown.
Written by Administrator
| Excerpt |
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| CLIFFORD My gracious liege, this too much lenity And harmful pity must be laid aside. To whom do lions cast their gentle looks? Not to the beast that would usurp their den. Whose hand is that the forest bear doth lick? Not his that spoils her young before her face. Who 'scapes the lurking serpent's mortal sting? Not he that sets his foot upon her back. The smallest worm will turn being trodden on, And doves will peck in safeguard of their brood. Ambitious York doth level at thy crown, Thou smiling while he knit his angry brows: He, but a duke, would have his son a king, And raise his issue, like a loving sire; Thou, being a king, blest with a goodly son, Didst yield consent to disinherit him, Which argued thee a most unloving father. Unreasonable creatures feed their young; And though man's face be fearful to their eyes, Yet, in protection of their tender ones, Who hath not seen them, even with those wings Which sometime they have used with fearful flight, Make war with him that climb'd unto their nest, Offer their own lives in their young's defence? For shame, my liege, make them your precedent! Were it not pity that this goodly boy Should lose his birthright by his father's fault, And long hereafter say unto his child, 'What my great-grandfather and his grandsire got My careless father fondly gave away'? Ah, what a shame were this! Look on the boy; And let his manly face, which promiseth Successful fortune, steel thy melting heart To hold thine own and leave thine own with him. |
Comments
Clifford delivers this monologue in a persuasive tone. He urges the king to destroy the house of York and regain his kingdom.
