Act 5, Scene 1 — Henry VI, Part 2

The argument York returns from Ireland openly claiming the throne, briefly feigns submission when Buckingham offers Somerset's imprisonment, then explodes when Somerset appears free — and the play ends with both sides readying for the Battle of St. Albans.

Enter York and his army of Irish, with drum and colours.

YORK ≋ verse YORK in this moment

From Ireland thus comes York to claim his right

And pluck the crown from feeble Henry’s head.

Ring, bells, aloud; burn, bonfires, clear and bright,

To entertain great England’s lawful king.

Ah, _sancta majestas_, who would not buy thee dear?

Let them obey that knows not how to rule.

This hand was made to handle nought but gold.

I cannot give due action to my words

Except a sword or sceptre balance it.

A sceptre shall it have, have I a soul,

On which I’ll toss the fleur-de-luce of France.

From Ireland thus comes York to claim his right And pluck the crown from feeble Henry’s head. Ring, ...

[core emotion]

Why it matters York's opening soliloquy is the play's most direct statement of his ambition — said when he thinks no one is watching. The whole play has been building to this declaration.

Enter Buckingham.

Whom have we here? Buckingham, to disturb me?

The King hath sent him, sure. I must dissemble.

BUCKINGHAM BUCKINGHAM in this moment

York, if thou meanest well, I greet thee well.

York, if thou meanest well, I greet thee well....

[core emotion]

YORK ≋ verse YORK in this moment

Humphrey of Buckingham, I accept thy greeting.

Art thou a messenger, or come of pleasure?

Humphrey of Buckingham, I accept thy greeting. Art thou a messenger, or come of pleasure?...

[core emotion]

BUCKINGHAM ≋ verse BUCKINGHAM in this moment

A messenger from Henry, our dread liege,

To know the reason of these arms in peace;

Or why thou, being a subject as I am,

Against thy oath and true allegiance sworn,

Should raise so great a power without his leave,

Or dare to bring thy force so near the court.

A messenger from Henry, our dread liege, To know the reason of these arms in peace; Or why thou, bei...

[core emotion]

[_Aside_.] Scarce can I speak, my choler is so great.

YORK ≋ verse YORK in this moment

O, I could hew up rocks and fight with flint,

I am so angry at these abject terms;

And now, like Ajax Telamonius,

On sheep or oxen could I spend my fury.

I am far better born than is the King,

More like a king, more kingly in my thoughts.

But I must make fair weather yet awhile,

Till Henry be more weak and I more strong.—

Buckingham, I prithee, pardon me,

That I have given no answer all this while;

My mind was troubled with deep melancholy.

The cause why I have brought this army hither

Is to remove proud Somerset from the King,

Seditious to his grace and to the state.

O, I could hew up rocks and fight with flint, I am so angry at these abject terms; And now, like Aja...

[core emotion]

BUCKINGHAM ≋ verse BUCKINGHAM in this moment

That is too much presumption on thy part;

But if thy arms be to no other end,

The King hath yielded unto thy demand:

The Duke of Somerset is in the Tower.

That is too much presumption on thy part; But if thy arms be to no other end, The King hath yielded ...

[core emotion]

YORK YORK in this moment

Upon thine honour, is he prisoner?

Upon thine honour, is he prisoner?...

[core emotion]

BUCKINGHAM BUCKINGHAM in this moment

Upon mine honour, he is prisoner.

Upon mine honour, he is prisoner....

[core emotion]

🎭 Dramatic irony Buckingham swears 'upon mine honour' that Somerset is a prisoner — a sworn assurance that proves false within twenty lines when Somerset walks in. The honor culture that governs this world provides no actual guarantee.

YORK ≋ verse YORK in this moment

Then, Buckingham, I do dismiss my powers.

Soldiers, I thank you all; disperse yourselves;

Meet me tomorrow in Saint George’s field,

You shall have pay and everything you wish.

Then, Buckingham, I do dismiss my powers. Soldiers, I thank you all; disperse yourselves; Meet me to...

[core emotion]

[_Exeunt Soldiers._]

And let my sovereign, virtuous Henry,

Command my eldest son, nay, all my sons,

As pledges of my fealty and love,

I’ll send them all as willing as I live.

Lands, goods, horse, armour, anything I have

Is his to use, so Somerset may die.

BUCKINGHAM ≋ verse BUCKINGHAM in this moment

York, I commend this kind submission.

We twain will go into his highness’ tent.

York, I commend this kind submission. We twain will go into his highness’ tent....

[core emotion]

Enter King and Attendants.

KING HENRY ≋ verse KING HENRY in this moment

Buckingham, doth York intend no harm to us

That thus he marcheth with thee arm in arm?

Buckingham, doth York intend no harm to us That thus he marcheth with thee arm in arm?...

[core emotion]

YORK ≋ verse YORK in this moment

In all submission and humility

York doth present himself unto your highness.

In all submission and humility York doth present himself unto your highness....

[core emotion]

KING HENRY KING HENRY in this moment

Then what intends these forces thou dost bring?

Then what intends these forces thou dost bring?...

[core emotion]

YORK ≋ verse YORK in this moment

To heave the traitor Somerset from hence

And fight against that monstrous rebel Cade,

Who since I heard to be discomfited.

To heave the traitor Somerset from hence And fight against that monstrous rebel Cade, Who since I he...

[core emotion]

Enter Iden with Cade’s head.

IDEN ≋ verse IDEN in this moment

If one so rude and of so mean condition

May pass into the presence of a king,

Lo, I present your grace a traitor’s head,

The head of Cade, whom I in combat slew.

If one so rude and of so mean condition May pass into the presence of a king, Lo, I present your gra...

[core emotion]

KING HENRY ≋ verse KING HENRY in this moment

The head of Cade! Great God, how just art Thou!

O, let me view his visage, being dead,

That living wrought me such exceeding trouble.

Tell me, my friend, art thou the man that slew him?

The head of Cade! Great God, how just art Thou! O, let me view his visage, being dead, That living w...

[core emotion]

IDEN IDEN in this moment

I was, an ’t like your majesty.

I was, an ’t like your majesty....

[core emotion]

KING HENRY KING HENRY in this moment

How art thou called? And what is thy degree?

How art thou called? And what is thy degree?...

[core emotion]

IDEN ≋ verse IDEN in this moment

Alexander Iden, that’s my name;

A poor esquire of Kent, that loves his King.

Alexander Iden, that’s my name; A poor esquire of Kent, that loves his King....

[core emotion]

BUCKINGHAM ≋ verse BUCKINGHAM in this moment

So please it you, my lord, ’twere not amiss

He were created knight for his good service.

So please it you, my lord, ’twere not amiss He were created knight for his good service....

[core emotion]

KING HENRY ≋ verse KING HENRY in this moment

Iden, kneel down. [_He kneels_.] Rise up a knight.

We give thee for reward a thousand marks,

And will that thou henceforth attend on us.

Iden, kneel down. [_He kneels_.] Rise up a knight. We give thee for reward a thousand marks, And wil...

[core emotion]

IDEN ≋ verse IDEN in this moment

May Iden live to merit such a bounty,

And never live but true unto his liege!

May Iden live to merit such a bounty, And never live but true unto his liege!...

[core emotion]

[_Rises._]

Enter Queen and Somerset.

KING HENRY ≋ verse KING HENRY in this moment

See, Buckingham, Somerset comes with the Queen.

Go, bid her hide him quickly from the Duke.

See, Buckingham, Somerset comes with the Queen. Go, bid her hide him quickly from the Duke....

[core emotion]

QUEEN MARGARET ≋ verse QUEEN MARGARET in this moment

For thousand Yorks he shall not hide his head,

But boldly stand and front him to his face.

For thousand Yorks he shall not hide his head, But boldly stand and front him to his face....

[core emotion]

YORK ≋ verse YORK in this moment

How now? Is Somerset at liberty?

Then, York, unloose thy long-imprisoned thoughts,

And let thy tongue be equal with thy heart.

Shall I endure the sight of Somerset?

False king, why hast thou broken faith with me,

Knowing how hardly I can brook abuse?

“King” did I call thee? No, thou art not king,

Not fit to govern and rule multitudes,

Which dar’st not, no, nor canst not rule a traitor.

That head of thine doth not become a crown;

Thy hand is made to grasp a palmer’s staff,

And not to grace an awful princely sceptre.

That gold must round engirt these brows of mine,

Whose smile and frown, like to Achilles’ spear,

Is able with the change to kill and cure.

Here is a hand to hold a sceptre up

And with the same to act controlling laws.

Give place! By heaven, thou shalt rule no more

O’er him whom heaven created for thy ruler.

How now? Is Somerset at liberty? Then, York, unloose thy long-imprisoned thoughts, And let thy tongu...

[core emotion]

Why it matters York's outburst when he sees Somerset free is the play's turning point — the last piece of pretense stripped away, the civil war now inevitable.

SOMERSET ≋ verse SOMERSET in this moment

O monstrous traitor! I arrest thee, York,

Of capital treason ’gainst the King and crown.

Obey, audacious traitor, kneel for grace.

O monstrous traitor! I arrest thee, York, Of capital treason ’gainst the King and crown. Obey, audac...

[core emotion]

YORK ≋ verse YORK in this moment

Wouldst have me kneel? First let me ask of these

If they can brook I bow a knee to man.

Sirrah, call in my sons to be my bail.

Wouldst have me kneel? First let me ask of these If they can brook I bow a knee to man. Sirrah, call...

[core emotion]

[_Exit Attendant._]

I know, ere they will have me go to ward,

They’ll pawn their swords for my enfranchisement.

QUEEN MARGARET ≋ verse QUEEN MARGARET in this moment

Call hither Clifford; bid him come amain,

To say if that the bastard boys of York

Shall be the surety for their traitor father.

Call hither Clifford; bid him come amain, To say if that the bastard boys of York Shall be the suret...

[core emotion]

[_Exit Buckingham._]

YORK ≋ verse YORK in this moment

O blood-bespotted Neapolitan,

Outcast of Naples, England’s bloody scourge!

The sons of York, thy betters in their birth,

Shall be their father’s bail; and bane to those

That for my surety will refuse the boys!

O blood-bespotted Neapolitan, Outcast of Naples, England’s bloody scourge! The sons of York, thy bet...

[core emotion]

Enter Edward and Richard.

See where they come; I’ll warrant they’ll make it good.

Enter old Clifford and his Son.

QUEEN MARGARET QUEEN MARGARET in this moment

And here comes Clifford to deny their bail.

And here comes Clifford to deny their bail....

[core emotion]

CLIFFORD CLIFFORD in this moment

Health and all happiness to my lord the King.

Health and all happiness to my lord the King....

[core emotion]

[_Rises._]

YORK ≋ verse YORK in this moment

I thank thee, Clifford. Say, what news with thee?

Nay, do not fright us with an angry look.

We are thy sovereign, Clifford, kneel again.

For thy mistaking so, we pardon thee.

I thank thee, Clifford. Say, what news with thee? Nay, do not fright us with an angry look. We are t...

[core emotion]

CLIFFORD ≋ verse CLIFFORD in this moment

This is my king, York, I do not mistake;

But thou mistakes me much to think I do.

To Bedlam with him! Is the man grown mad?

This is my king, York, I do not mistake; But thou mistakes me much to think I do. To Bedlam with him...

[core emotion]

KING HENRY ≋ verse KING HENRY in this moment

Ay, Clifford; a bedlam and ambitious humour

Makes him oppose himself against his king.

Ay, Clifford; a bedlam and ambitious humour Makes him oppose himself against his king....

[core emotion]

CLIFFORD ≋ verse CLIFFORD in this moment

He is a traitor; let him to the Tower,

And chop away that factious pate of his.

He is a traitor; let him to the Tower, And chop away that factious pate of his....

[core emotion]

QUEEN MARGARET ≋ verse QUEEN MARGARET in this moment

He is arrested, but will not obey;

His sons, he says, shall give their words for him.

He is arrested, but will not obey; His sons, he says, shall give their words for him....

[core emotion]

YORK YORK in this moment

Will you not, sons?

Will you not, sons?...

[core emotion]

First appearance

EDWARD

Edward of March — York's eldest son, the future Edward IV — speaks briefly but loyally. Measured where Richard is sharp; this is the man who will eventually become king.

EDWARD EDWARD in this moment

Ay, noble father, if our words will serve.

Ay, noble father, if our words will serve....

[core emotion]

First appearance

RICHARD

Richard of Gloucester makes his first substantial appearance here — sharp, contemptuous, already talking about supper with Christ. Watch for the way his language cuts faster than anyone else's, and remember this is the man who will become Richard III.

RICHARD RICHARD in this moment

And if words will not, then our weapons shall.

And if words will not, then our weapons shall....

[core emotion]

Why it matters Richard's first significant line in the play — eight words that establish his character, his directness, and the logic he will carry through to Richard III.

CLIFFORD CLIFFORD in this moment

Why, what a brood of traitors have we here!

Why, what a brood of traitors have we here!...

[core emotion]

YORK ≋ verse YORK in this moment

Look in a glass, and call thy image so.

I am thy king, and thou a false-heart traitor.

Call hither to the stake my two brave bears,

That with the very shaking of their chains

They may astonish these fell-lurking curs.

Bid Salisbury and Warwick come to me.

Look in a glass, and call thy image so. I am thy king, and thou a false-heart traitor. Call hither t...

[core emotion]

"Call hither to the stake my two brave bears" The Neville family crest was a bear and ragged staff — Warwick's personal emblem made him famous across Europe. York calls Warwick and Salisbury his 'bears' with the confidence of a man who knows their arrival changes the calculation entirely.

Enter the Earls of Warwick and Salisbury.

CLIFFORD ≋ verse CLIFFORD in this moment

Are these thy bears? We’ll bait thy bears to death

And manacle the bearherd in their chains,

If thou dar’st bring them to the baiting-place.

Are these thy bears? We’ll bait thy bears to death And manacle the bearherd in their chains, If thou...

[core emotion]

RICHARD ≋ verse RICHARD in this moment

Oft have I seen a hot o’erweening cur

Run back and bite because he was withheld,

Who, being suffered with the bear’s fell paw,

Hath clapped his tail between his legs and cried;

And such a piece of service will you do

If you oppose yourselves to match Lord Warwick.

Oft have I seen a hot o’erweening cur Run back and bite because he was withheld, Who, being suffered...

[core emotion]

CLIFFORD ≋ verse CLIFFORD in this moment

Hence, heap of wrath, foul indigested lump,

As crooked in thy manners as thy shape!

Hence, heap of wrath, foul indigested lump, As crooked in thy manners as thy shape!...

[core emotion]

YORK YORK in this moment

Nay, we shall heat you thoroughly anon.

Nay, we shall heat you thoroughly anon....

[core emotion]

CLIFFORD CLIFFORD in this moment

Take heed, lest by your heat you burn yourselves.

Take heed, lest by your heat you burn yourselves....

[core emotion]

KING HENRY ≋ verse KING HENRY in this moment

Why, Warwick, hath thy knee forgot to bow?

Old Salisbury, shame to thy silver hair,

Thou mad misleader of thy brainsick son!

What, wilt thou on thy deathbed play the ruffian,

And seek for sorrow with thy spectacles?

O, where is faith? O, where is loyalty?

If it be banished from the frosty head,

Where shall it find a harbour in the earth?

Wilt thou go dig a grave to find out war,

And shame thine honourable age with blood?

Why art thou old, and want’st experience?

Or wherefore dost abuse it, if thou hast it?

For shame, in duty bend thy knee to me

That bows unto the grave with mickle age.

Why, Warwick, hath thy knee forgot to bow? Old Salisbury, shame to thy silver hair, Thou mad mislead...

[core emotion]

SALISBURY ≋ verse SALISBURY in this moment

My lord, I have considered with myself

The title of this most renowned duke,

And in my conscience do repute his grace

The rightful heir to England’s royal seat.

My lord, I have considered with myself The title of this most renowned duke, And in my conscience do...

[core emotion]

KING HENRY KING HENRY in this moment

Hast thou not sworn allegiance unto me?

Hast thou not sworn allegiance unto me?...

[core emotion]

SALISBURY SALISBURY in this moment

I have.

I have....

[core emotion]

KING HENRY KING HENRY in this moment

Canst thou dispense with heaven for such an oath?

Canst thou dispense with heaven for such an oath?...

[core emotion]

SALISBURY ≋ verse SALISBURY in this moment

It is great sin to swear unto a sin,

But greater sin to keep a sinful oath.

Who can be bound by any solemn vow

To do a murderous deed, to rob a man,

To force a spotless virgin’s chastity,

To reave the orphan of his patrimony,

To wring the widow from her customed right,

And have no other reason for this wrong

But that he was bound by a solemn oath?

It is great sin to swear unto a sin, But greater sin to keep a sinful oath. Who can be bound by any ...

[core emotion]

Why it matters Salisbury's argument that a sinful oath has no binding force is the play's most sophisticated political philosophy — and it's the argument that will underpin every rebellion in the next two plays.

QUEEN MARGARET QUEEN MARGARET in this moment

A subtle traitor needs no sophister.

A subtle traitor needs no sophister....

[core emotion]

KING HENRY KING HENRY in this moment

Call Buckingham, and bid him arm himself.

Call Buckingham, and bid him arm himself....

[core emotion]

YORK ≋ verse YORK in this moment

Call Buckingham, and all the friends thou hast,

I am resolved for death or dignity.

Call Buckingham, and all the friends thou hast, I am resolved for death or dignity....

[core emotion]

CLIFFORD CLIFFORD in this moment

The first I warrant thee, if dreams prove true.

The first I warrant thee, if dreams prove true....

[core emotion]

WARWICK ≋ verse WARWICK in this moment

You were best to go to bed and dream again,

To keep thee from the tempest of the field.

You were best to go to bed and dream again, To keep thee from the tempest of the field....

[core emotion]

CLIFFORD ≋ verse CLIFFORD in this moment

I am resolved to bear a greater storm

Than any thou canst conjure up today;

And that I’ll write upon thy burgonet,

Might I but know thee by thy household badge.

I am resolved to bear a greater storm Than any thou canst conjure up today; And that I’ll write upon...

[core emotion]

WARWICK ≋ verse WARWICK in this moment

Now, by my father’s badge, old Neville’s crest,

The rampant bear chained to the ragged staff,

This day I’ll wear aloft my burgonet,

As on a mountain top the cedar shows

That keeps his leaves in spite of any storm,

Even to affright thee with the view thereof.

Now, by my father’s badge, old Neville’s crest, The rampant bear chained to the ragged staff, This d...

[core emotion]

CLIFFORD ≋ verse CLIFFORD in this moment

And from thy burgonet I’ll rend thy bear

And tread it under foot with all contempt,

Despite the bearherd that protects the bear.

And from thy burgonet I’ll rend thy bear And tread it under foot with all contempt, Despite the bear...

[core emotion]

First appearance

YOUNG CLIFFORD

Young Clifford enters bristling with the violence he will embody in Part 3 — his exchange with Richard is a preview of the war both men are about to fight. Watch for how quickly his courtesy turns to threat.

YOUNG CLIFFORD ≋ verse YOUNG CLIFFORD in this moment

And so to arms, victorious father,

To quell the rebels and their complices.

And so to arms, victorious father, To quell the rebels and their complices....

[core emotion]

RICHARD ≋ verse RICHARD in this moment

Fie, charity, for shame! Speak not in spite,

For you shall sup with Jesu Christ tonight.

Fie, charity, for shame! Speak not in spite, For you shall sup with Jesu Christ tonight....

[core emotion]

YOUNG CLIFFORD YOUNG CLIFFORD in this moment

Foul stigmatic, that’s more than thou canst tell.

Foul stigmatic, that’s more than thou canst tell....

[core emotion]

RICHARD RICHARD in this moment

If not in heaven, you’ll surely sup in hell.

If not in heaven, you’ll surely sup in hell....

[core emotion]

[_Exeunt severally._]

The Reckoning

The mask comes off. For the whole play, York has been the man behind other men — behind Cade, behind faction politics, behind careful positioning. Now he stands in a field and says it plainly: he is the rightful king, Henry is not fit to rule, and no amount of diplomatic management will make him accept otherwise. The young Richard's exchange with Young Clifford at the end — two men with knives in their hearts — announces the next generation of the conflict. The play's final movement has started.

If this happened today…

The board member who has been quietly building a shareholder bloc for three years finally shows up at the annual meeting with all his allies, demands the CFO be fired, gets a promise it will happen, and walks in to find the CFO still sitting at the table. The façade of corporate courtesy collapses. He stands up and tells the room exactly what he thinks of the company's leadership — in full view of everyone. The lawyers in the room reach for their phones.

Continue to 5.2 →