 Support the Monkey! Tell All your Friends and Teachers |
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Support the Monkey! Tell All your Friends and Teachers |
Table of Contents Act IV, Scene 6 The scene takes place in the Tower of London. King Henry, George, Warwick, Somerset, Young Richmond, Oxford, Montague and Lieutenant of the Tower there. King Henry has been freed from the Tower and asks the lieutenant in charge who he is loyal to. The lieutenant apologizes for his actions and the King says that he has no need to ask his forgiveness because he has kindly treated him during the time of imprisonment. His imprisonment has been a pleasure and he forgot the loss of freedom just as caged birds do. Henry thanks God and Warwick for setting him free, and he requests Warwick not to punish the people of his land again by encouraging wars. He resigns the government to Warwick and says the latter is fortunate in all his deeds. Warwick praises the king's wisdom and virtue and requests the king to choose Clarence in his place. George disagrees and says that Warwick is best suited for the post. Warwick selects Clarence as his protector. King Henry holds the hands of Warwick and Clarence in union and says that he is making them the Protectors of this land while he will lead a private life in devotion and spend his latter days in the praise of God and rebuke his sins. Both Warwick and Clarence agree to this proposal and assure Henry that together they shall bear the weight of the government while the king can enjoy the honor and his ease. Warwick asks Clarence to proclaim Edward a traitor and conquer all his lands. The King asks them to bring the Queen and his son to him and only then will he be truly happy. Henry then notices young Henry, Earl of Richmond and in the manner of a prophecy says that this lad will prove the bliss of their country. His looks are full of peaceful majesty, his head is suited to wear the crown, his hand to hold the scepter. A post comes and delivers the news that Edward has escaped to Burgundy. A messenger conveys the news that Richard and Hastings had abetted his escape. Henry becomes concerned about the safety of young Richmond and decides to send him to Brittany until the atmosphere calms. They go out. Notes: The scene takes place in the Tower of London with Henry thanking the Lieutenant of the Tower for his kindness and good behavior shown towards him during the time of imprisonment. He says it made his imprisonment a pleasure and he forgot the loss of liberty. Henry further thanks God and Warwick, who were responsible for his success. He resigns his government to Warwick whom he says is fortunate in all his deeds. This reveals Henry's eschewing of all responsibility of running a kingdom in order to retreat from life. This can be seen as either revealing his cowardice or his need for spiritual fulfillment. His inability to face serious matters and to govern the country has caused all these civil wars and he is attempting to right his wrongs by signing over his power to Warwick and Clarence. As soon as he has the power, Warwick pronounces Edward a traitor and captures all his lands, yet Henry is distracted by the sight of a young lad with Somerset who is the Earl of Richmond. He prophesies that the lad will be the bliss of the country. Richmond was the son of Katherine, widow of Henry V and her second husband Owen Tudor. With this prophecy comes a sign of hope for the future for Henry will become Henry VII who will bring peace to England. When the messenger delivers the news that Edward has escaped to Burgundy, Somerset is quick enough to perceive what is going to happen next. He says that Burgundy will yield him help and they shall have more wars in future. His concern for the safety of young Richmond forces him to escape to Brittany where they will take refuge. Table of Contents | |
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