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Table of Contents Notes The scene takes place in the palace of the French King where Queen Margaret beseeches him to take pity on her and husband's situation. She is ingratiating and gracious just as Henry said she would be. Therefore, her acting abilities are quite impressive. The King knows that Margaret is a very determined lady, shrewd and brave and wonders why she has become so mild and sorrowful. Her story reveals that she is in need of help and the King agrees to assist her. However, Warwick's entrance sabotages her plan as he provides a better offer to the king. He wishes to strengthen the relationship between France and England with a nuptial knot between the French King's sister Bona and the English King Edward. Margaret and Warwick begin to bicker again. Margaret thinks that she has been upstaged and attempts to belie Warwick's intentions, but the King reveals that he will go with the offer that is most beneficial to him. He is not one to rely on sentiment as King Henry is. Now Warwick and Oxford take up the belabored point of who is rightful heir to the throne. They are impervious to the King and bicker openly. Warwick comes off in this scene as a smooth political player. He is confident of his plan and will go to any end to succeed. However, his plan is sabotaged by Edward's own weakness: his penchant for women. This results in an amazing reversal of loyalties. Warwick decides to renounce Edward just as quickly as he had promoted him. The scene ends with his words: 'Not that I pity Henry's misery But seek revenge on Edward's mockery' This reveals that Warwick is not so much a man of deep loyalties to his country or a particular family, but that he is true to his own ambitions. His reputation has been destroyed because of Edward's carelessness; now he will learn a lesson. Table of Contents | |
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