Henry VI Part 2

Roles

• Gloucester, the Protector of the Realm - Adult (36-50), Senior (>50), Male

About this piece

Gloucester reacts to his conviction

Summary

This scene takes place at the Parliament. Present are King Henry and Queen Margaret, the lords Suffolk, Warwick, York, Salisbury, Buckingham and Cardinal Beaufort. King Henry has summoned Gloucester to the parliament and wonders where he is. Margaret advices the king and the lords present at the parliament not to trust Gloucester, whom she thinks wants to be the next king of England and is planning a revolt. Gloucester arrives and is arrested by Suffolk who accuses him of treason. York supports Suffolk and accuses Gloucester of not having sent money to the soldiers in France (see Henry VI, Part 1...) during the war and thus of being responsible for losing the French territories. The king tells Gloucester that he hopes he will prove that he is innocent. In this monologue Gloucester tells the king that they are living in dangerous times. The king is surrounded by ambitious people that are constantly scheming to gain more power. He argues that several nobles want his death and that if his death meant the end of tyranny, he would gladly die. He talks of Beaufort's malice, Suffolk's hate, Buckingham's envy and York's ambition. Gloucester knows that he will likely be found guilty since they have all plotted against him and will do anything in their power to get rid of him.

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