Language Henry VI, Part 2

the substance of suffolk s speech instructed marry margaret on behalf, did so, , deliver you. however, formality of scene , importance of event require him deliver message in heightened language, formal significance of henry s marriage margaret mirrored in formal language used suffolk announce marriage.

cardinal beaufort s bedchamber joshua reynolds (1788)

language conveys importance of religion throughout play. henry s language echoes bible. example, hearing of cade rebellion, comments Ο graceless men, know not (4.4.37), echoing gospel of luke: father, forgive them: know not (23:34). earlier in play, refers heaven treasury of everlasting joy (2.1.18), recalling gospel of matthew s lay treasures yourselves in heaven (6:20), , few lines later muses blessèd peacemakers on earth (2.1.34), echoing jesus sermon on mount. on both of these occasions however, cardinal winchester, ostensibly pious man, distorts henry s genuine piety. after henry s assessment of heaven, winchester says gloucester, thy heaven on earth, thine eyes , thoughts/beat on crown, treasure of thy heart (2.1.19–20). then, after henry praises peacemakers, winchester hypocritically says, let me blessèd peace make,/against proud protector sword (2.1.35–36). cardinal mocks religion shortly before murder of gloucester. speaking of forthcoming murder, suffolk says, , preserve sovereign foe,/say word , priest (3.1.271–272), winchester responds have him dead, lord of suffolk,/ere can take due orders priest (3.1.273–274), disdaining priesthood , trivialising murder. after gloucester dead, winchester continues blaspheme himself, proclaiming death of gloucester god s secret judgement (3.2.31), callous , knowing distortion.

shakespeare uses language distinguish between different types of characters. courtly scenes tend spoken in blank verse, whereas commons tend speak in prose, fewer metaphors , less decorative language (shakespeare uses contrast in several plays, such 2 gentlemen of verona, prose marks servants out masters). when power begins go jack cade s head, begins slip more courtly way of speaking. noticeable in adoption of royal , using phrases such our jurisdiction regal (4.7.24), , charge , command (4.7.116).

the longest speech in play margaret s lament henry after have found gloucester s dead body. lengthy speech full of classical allusions, elaborate metaphors , verbosity margaret moves through litany of topics in effort make point:

there debate amongst critics meaning , purpose of speech, although tend agree meaning inherently tied in elaborate language. critics (such stanley wells) argue speech, wordiness, abstraction, strained allusions, , lengthy metaphors, poorly written, evidence shakespeare not yet in control of medium. proponents of theory point contention, 7 lines retained, argument being rest of speech cut performance. l.c. knights, contrast, argues speech deliberately excessive , highly-wrought because margaret trying deflect confused , dejected henry accusing suffolk of murder.

peter hall suggested speech there establish emotional, hysterical side of margaret s nature. think why language gets extremely elaborate – attempt margaret contain turbulent emotions expressing them in such strange way.

the complete antithesis of theory has been suggested possibility: speech shows not margaret losing control, in control of herself , emotions. theory noticeable in how director jane howell had julia foster act part in 1981 bbc television shakespeare adaptation. here, margaret uses speech vent intense emotions, not contain them. far ranging metaphors , classical allusions way of letting go of pent rage , emotion, disdain henry , inherent passion.

in terry hands 1977 production royal shakespeare company, margaret (played helen mirren) tried bring henry brink of madness engaging mind in elaborate, difficult follow verbal dance. henry s preceding speech suffolk, demands suffolk not @ him, , demands wants suffolk s eyes played alan howard in such way suggest henry losing grip on reality, , in response this, mirren played speech in such way engage henry s mind in here , now, focus thoughts , prevent them drifting away.

cite error: there <ref group=lower-alpha> tags or {{efn}} templates on page, references not show without {{reflist|group=lower-alpha}} template or {{notelist}} template (see page).