Henry VI, Part II · Chapter
Scene IV explained
In Gloucester's garden, the Duchess Eleanor conspires with the witch Margery Jourdain, the priest John Hume, and the conjurers Southwell and Bolingbroke to summon a spirit and learn the fates of King Henry, the Duke of Suffolk, and the Duke
What happens
In Gloucester's garden, the Duchess Eleanor conspires with the witch Margery Jourdain, the priest John Hume, and the conjurers Southwell and Bolingbroke to summon a spirit and learn the fates of King Henry, the Duke of Suffolk, and the Duke of Somerset. The spirit delivers cryptic prophecies: Henry will be deposed by a duke who will die violently, Suffolk will die by water, and Somerset should avoid castles. The Duke of York and the Duke of Buckingham, having spied on the ritual, burst in and arrest the conspirators and the Duchess. York reads the prophecies and decides to send the news to the king, who is traveling to Saint Alban's with Gloucester, while inviting Salisbury and Warwick to supper.
Themes in this chapter
Betrayal and Duplicity
The Duchess conspires with conjurers to gain secret knowledge, while York and Buckingham spy on her, leading to her betrayal and arrest.
Political Ambition and Usurpation
The prophecies foretell the deposition of King Henry, fueling York's political ambitions and foreshadowing the Wars of the Roses.
Characters to notice
- Eleanor, Duchess of Gloucester
Participates in the conjuring ritual to learn the fates of the king and nobles, is arrested by York and Buckingham.
- Richard, Duke of York
Leads the ambush on the conjuring party, arrests the Duchess and conspirators, reads the prophecies, and plans to inform the king.
- Duke of Buckingham
Assists York in the arrest and offers to carry the news to the king.
- Margery Jourdain
The witch who commands the spirit Asmath during the ritual, is arrested.
- John Hume
The priest who arranges the conjuring and brings the Duchess to witness it, is arrested.
- Roger Bolingbroke
One of the conjurers who reads the questions to the spirit, is arrested.
Key passages
“The Duke yet lives that Henry shall depose; But him outlive, and die a violent death.”
A duke who is still alive will overthrow King Henry, but that duke will outlive Henry and die violently.
The spirit's prophecy about the king's deposition and the eventual violent death of the deposer.
“By water shall he die, and take his end.”
Suffolk will meet his death by drowning or at sea.
The spirit's prophecy regarding the Duke of Suffolk's fate.
“Let him shun castles; Safer shall he be upon the sandy plains Than where castles mounted stand.”
Somerset should avoid castles; he will be safer on open, sandy ground than near castle walls.
The spirit's cryptic warning to the Duke of Somerset.