 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 II, SCENE 2 The scene begins with the King, the Queen, the Prince of Wales, Clifford and Northumberland with drums and trumpets entering York. The Queen points out the head of York and asks the King whether the spectacle cheers him or not. King Henry replies that just as the rocks cheer those people who also fear their wreck, the sight of York's head disturbs his soul. He apologizes to God and says that it is not his fault. Clifford reproves of Henry's lenity (harmful pity which is a vice to Kings) and says this quality of Henry should be laid aside for a more ferocious stance. Clifford continues to say that death and destruction are part of war but the King is disturbed by such flagrant images of depravity. Clifford expresses his pity for the young prince and tells the King to be ashamed of his unmanly act. The Prince should not lose his birthright by his father's fault. King Henry congratulates Clifford for his meaningful speech and says he will be a good orator. He tells Clifford that evil deeds will never end successfully and a son will never be happy having a sinful father. The Queen sneers at the King's moralizing stance and tells him to knight his son. King Henry blesses his son to arise as a knight and advises him to draw his sword only if the occasion is right. The Prince promises his father that he will draw his sword and use it to the death. A messenger enters and announces the arrival of Warwick with a band of thirty thousand men proclaiming Edward as the King. The prince inspires his father to unsheathe his sword and fight bravely. When Edward, George, Richard, Warwick, Norfolk, Montague and soldiers enter, a verbal battle ensues. Edward, in a mocking manner, challenges King Henry to fight in the field or set the diadem on his head. The Queen chides him for being so bold and impudent before their lawful King. Edward asserts that he is the lawful King since he was the adopted heir by the consent of Henry. He accuses the King of breaking his oath and bringing a new act of parliament to put his own son in. Clifford says that it is right that the son should succeed the father. A verbal duel follows between Richard and Clifford in which each accuses the other and gets ready to fight. Richard condemns Clifford and calls him a bastard and treacherous coward, a cruel child killer and butcher. King Henry starts speaking but soon is interrupted by the Queen and Clifford who say that this is not a time to speak but to act. When the prince speaks up, Richard says that he has inherited his mother's tongue. A heated exchange occurs between the Queen and Richard with both parties hurling insults. Finally with both parties sufficiently riled up, Edward challenges the king to a war. Table of Contents | |
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