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MonkeyNotes-Henry IV, Part 2 by William Shakespeare
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Act IV, Scene II
Summary
The scene is another part of the forest. From one side enter
Mowbray, Archbishop, Hastings and others and from the other
side John of Lancaster, Westmoreland, and officers and
attendents. Lancaster greets Mowbray and York. The Prince
deplores the fact that the chief among the enemies of the crown
is York. He is seen not as a holy man but as an iron man in
armor, “Turning the word to sword and life to death.” He
should be actually sitting within the KingÂ’s heart and prosper in
the sunshine of his favor. But instead, he is abusing the King.
John accuses York of having misused the reverence of his place
and of engaging in dishonorable deeds. York should be
studying GodÂ’s book and be GodÂ’s voice, and he should open
the gates of heaven to the people. York says that he is not an
enemy of the King. He is forced to be in this position by
circumstances and he deeply regrets it. Once again he repeats
that the Court did not consider the grievances which he had
sent. If those “most just and right desires” are honored, they
will be loyal to the King. Mowbray says that if their rights are
not considered they are ready to fight to the last man. Hastings
adds that they have reinforcements to back up their demands
and warns that if they fail, their family members will take up the
quarrel and extend it from generation to generation. The
Prince says that he is very much pleased with the grievances and
pleads that his father should not be blamed for the injustices
done. Some officials must have misused their authority and the
people have misunderstood the royal intentions. The Prince
vows that “these griefs shall be with speed redress’d.” If the
rebel leaders are satisfied, he continues, let the armies be
dispersed at once and let peace and friendship be restored.
York believes the Prince and agrees to disperse the army. He
orders a captain to go and deliver the news to the rebel leaders
and he says “let them have pay and part.” The opposition
leaders reconcile and exchange courtesies. The Prince orders
his troops to disperse. Suddenly Westmoreland announces the
arrest of Hastings, Mowbray, and York. They protest violently
against the Prince for not keeping his word but he says that he
had pledged only the redress of grievances and that pledge he
will keep, but the three rebel leaders will have to receive
punishments which await traitors.
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MonkeyNotes-Henry IV, Part 2 by William Shakespeare
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