Ahoy!
So now that I’ve isolated myself from the world for the last week, I have returned to digital realm to report on my latest reading - The First Part of the Contention, or 2 Henry VI.
This play was really nothing spectacular, except for the occasional violence. It details the start of the War of the Roses, between the houses of York and Lancaster. Henry VI, of the Lancastrian line, holds the throne while Richard, Duke of York, plots to depose the king. The Duke of Glouchester is the guardian of the realm, as Henry was a mere baby when he took the throne, and stands as York’s one major obstacle. It is a world of shifting alliances, as Henry’s queen, the French Margaret, plots with Suffolk to remove Glouchester as well. Eventually all the plotters succeed in sowing doubt in Glouchester’s loyalty to the king, who has Glouchester imprisoned, where he is murdered (on stage.) Suffolk is banished for his part in the murder, and is beheaded at sea after he is captured. The head is delivered to Margaret, who carries it around for much of the remainder of the play, talking to it. After Glouchester’s murder, chaos ensues, as York is given an army to put down an Irish uprising. In the middle of all this, a peasant uprising occurs, in which the commoners go about killing anyone who is educated and can read, but is put down when the king offers clemency to the peasants who renounce the uprising. The instigator is caught and killed by a minor landholder who is knighted by the king for his deed. York returns with his army demanding the imprisonment of Somerset, whom he claims to be a traitor. Henry says that Somerset has already been imprisoned, but the Queen enters with Somerset. York loses his patience, declares Henry an usurper and himself (York) the true king.
War breaks out, York kills Somerset and Clifford, and Clifford’s son declares revenge on York for murdering his father. With Henry’s forces in retreat, Margaret and Henry flee to London. Thus ends the play.
This one really stands as a set-up for the remarkable events of Richard Duke of York (or 3 Henry VI). It’s sole remarkable, quotable line is spoken by a commoner rebel, Dick, in response to the rebellion’s instigator, Cade. "The first thing we do, let’s kill all the lawyers." To which Cade replies, "Nay, that I mean to do."
Next up, which I am almost through having had plenty of time this week to read, is the 3rd Part of Henry VI, also titled the Second Part of the Contention, or The True Tragedy of Richard Duke of York, and the Death of the Good King Henry the Sixth. It’s a good one, so far, and should be finished shortly. After that comes Titus Andronicus, which is one of the few that I’ve read before.
