Henry VI, Part I · Chapter
Scene I explained
At the funeral of King Henry V, the English nobles mourn his death and receive dire news of military losses in France, including the Dauphin's coronation and Talbot's defeat and capture.
What happens
At the funeral of King Henry V, the English nobles mourn his death and receive dire news of military losses in France, including the Dauphin's coronation and Talbot's defeat and capture. Internal quarrels, especially between Gloucester and Winchester, foreshadow civil discord as the realm faces external threats.
Themes in this chapter
Loss of Heroic Leadership
Henry V's death leaves England without a unifying leader, as nobles lament his unmatched prowess and the realm's subsequent decline.
Civil Discord and Factionalism
Gloucester and Winchester's bitter quarrel at the funeral exposes internal divisions that undermine the war effort.
National Identity and Patriotism
The nobles' calls to 'awake, awake, English nobility' and defend the realm reflect a threatened national pride.
Characters to notice
- Duke of Gloucester
Protector of the realm; quarrels with Winchester and vows to prepare for war.
- Cardinal of Winchester
Bishop of Winchester; engages in a bitter exchange with Gloucester and plots to seize power.
- Duke of Exeter
Special governor to young King Henry; laments Henry V's death and the loss of French territories.
- Duke of Bedford
Regent of France; initially mourns, then resolves to fight after hearing of Talbot's capture.
- Lord Talbot
English hero; reported as captured by the French after a valiant fight, betrayed by Sir John Fastolfe's cowardice.
- Charles the Dauphin
Crowned king at Rheims; leads the French revolt against English rule.
- Sir John Fastolfe
Accused of cowardice for fleeing during Talbot's battle, leading to English defeat.
- Earl of Salisbury
Besieging Orleans; requests reinforcements as his army weakens.
Key passages
“Hung be the heavens with black, yield day to night! Comets, importing change of times and states, Brandish your crystal tresses in the sky, And with them scourge the bad revolting stars That have consented unto Henry's death!”
Let the sky be draped in black and turn day into night; comets that herald upheaval should flash their bright tails to punish the evil stars that allowed Henry to die.
Bedford's opening lament uses cosmic imagery to express grief and foreboding.
“The Dauphin Charles is crowned king of Rheims; The Bastard of Orleans with him is join'd; Reignier, Duke of Anjou, doth take his part; The Duke of Alençon flieth to his side.”
The Dauphin Charles has been crowned king at Rheims, and he is joined by the Bastard of Orleans, Reignier of Anjou, and the Duke of Alençon.
A messenger reports the consolidation of French forces under Charles's coronation.
“If Sir John Fastolfe had not play'd the coward: He, being in the vaward, placed behind With purpose to relieve and follow them, Cowardly fled, not having struck one stroke.”
If Sir John Fastolfe had not acted like a coward—he was stationed in the vanguard to support the troops but fled without fighting—the battle would have been won.
The messenger blames Fastolfe's flight for the English defeat and Talbot's capture.
