Henry IV, Part II · Chapter
Act IV, Scene I: Gaultree Forest explained
The Archbishop of York, Mowbray, and Hastings learn that Northumberland has withdrawn his support, weakening their rebellion.
What happens
The Archbishop of York, Mowbray, and Hastings learn that Northumberland has withdrawn his support, weakening their rebellion. Westmoreland arrives with peace terms from Prince John, but the rebels are divided on whether to trust the offer. The Archbishop argues that the king is weary of conflict and that a negotiated peace may be more durable.
Themes in this chapter
Rebellion and Order
The rebels debate the legitimacy of their uprising and the possibility of a peaceful resolution.
Deception and Rumor
Mowbray suspects the peace offer is a political trick, not genuine mercy.
Justice and Law
The Archbishop frames the rebellion as a necessary purge to restore true peace and address grievances.
Characters to notice
- Archbishop of York
Leads the rebel forces and argues for peace, believing the king is weakened and a settlement will hold.
- Lord Mowbray
Skeptical of peace terms, fearing the king will later punish them for their rebellion.
- Lord Hastings
Optimistic that the peace will be as firm as 'rocky mountains' if terms are generous.
- Earl of Westmoreland
Delivers Prince John's offer of peace and argues that the rebellion is unjustified.
- Earl of Northumberland
Mentioned as having withdrawn his support, retreating to Scotland.
Key passages
“There is a thing within my bosom tells me / That no conditions of our peace can stand.”
Mowbray has a gut feeling that no peace agreement will last.
Mowbray expresses deep distrust of the king's offer.
“Our peace will, like a broken limb united, / Grow stronger for the breaking.”
A peace made after conflict will be more resilient, like a healed bone.
The Archbishop argues that a settlement now will be more durable.
“We are all diseased, / And with our surfeiting and wanton hours / Have brought ourselves into a burning fever, / And we must bleed for it.”
We are sick from our excesses and must suffer to be cured.
The Archbishop justifies rebellion as a necessary remedy for the kingdom's ills.