Monologue

Queen Margaret Monologue from Henry VI

From Henry VI by William Shakespeare

female · defiant · 1:28 min

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My Lord of Suffolk, say, is this the guise, Is this the fashion in the court of England? Is this the government of Britain’s isle, And this the royalty of Albion’s king? What, shall King Henry be a pupil still Under the surly Gloucester’s governance? Am I a queen in title and in style, And must be made a subject to a duke? I tell thee, Pole, when in the city Tours Thou ran’st atilt in honour of my love And stol’st away the ladies’ hearts of France, I thought King Henry had resembled thee In courage, courtship, and proportion. But all his mind is bent to holiness, To number Ave-Maries on his beads. His champions are the prophets and apostles, His weapons holy saws of sacred writ, His study is his tilt-yard, and his loves Are brazen images of canonized saints. I would the college of the cardinals Would choose him pope and carry him to Rome And set the triple crown upon his head! That were a state fit for his holiness.

About this piece

Queen Margaret expresses her frustration with King Henry's passivity and the influence of Duke Gloucester, revealing her desire for power and recognition in a male-dominated court.

40s · anger · power · identity · betrayal · ambition

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