Monologue

York Monologue from Henry VI

From Henry VI by William Shakespeare

male · dramatic · 1:19 min

Lord Buckingham, methinks you watched her well. A pretty plot, well chosen to build upon! Now, pray, my lord, let’s see the devil’s writ. What have we here? _The duke yet lives that Henry shall depose. But him outlive and die a violent death._ Why, this is just _Aio te, Aeacida, Romanos vincere posse._ Well, to the rest: _Tell me what fate awaits the Duke of Suffolk? By water shall he die and take his end. What shall betide the Duke of Somerset? Let him shun castles; Safer shall he be upon the sandy plains Than where castles mounted stand._ Come, come, my lords, these oracles Are hardly attained, and hardly understood. The King is now in progress towards Saint Albans, With him the husband of this lovely lady. Thither go these news as fast as horse can carry them. A sorry breakfast for my Lord Protector.

About this piece

York is contemplating the ominous prophecies regarding the fates of key figures in the court, revealing his strategic mind and the tension surrounding the political landscape.

30s · anticipation · power · fate · betrayal · death

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