The 3rd Part of Henry VI - also called Richard Duke of York - is certainly my favorite of the plays so far. It is bloody, it is violent, and most of the characters die. Richard Duke of York is slain at the end of the first part, and Henry VI is slaughtered at the end. King Henry is a very weak monarch, who promises the throne to Richard and his issue upon Henry’s death. Thus the Queen is the majority driver for the action, fighting to defend her son Edward’s succession rights. War is fought, France’s help is sought, a princess is promised to King Edward, son of Richard Duke of York, who insults France by marrying an English woman in the interim. Dukes switch sides, more war is fought, Henry returns to the throne, Dukes switch back, and Henry and his Queen are finally defeated and Henry killed.
Shakespeare returns to this line of plays later, telling the story of the hunchbacked, evil son of Richard Duke of York - Richard Duke of Glouchester - who has unfettered ambition to the throne. In 3 Henry VI, Richard has a long soliloquy in which he accounts for all the people who stand between him in the line of succession, then vowing to cut a bloody swath in his pursuit of that end. The later history plays recount his fulfillment of this vow.
Now up? Shakespeare’s first tragedy, Titus Andronicus. Many experts debate the validity of ascribing this play to Shakespeare, largely because Titus is so ridiculously violent and base. There is cannibalism, rape, murder, mutilation, and other atrocities. Mmmm. Can’t wait.
