Henry VI, Part II · Chapter
Scene IV explained
King Henry receives a supplication from the rebels while Queen Margaret mourns Suffolk's head.
What happens
King Henry receives a supplication from the rebels while Queen Margaret mourns Suffolk's head. News arrives that Jack Cade's army has taken London Bridge and proclaims himself Lord Mortimer. The King decides to retreat to Killingworth, but Lord Say chooses to stay in London, trusting his innocence.
Themes in this chapter
Class Conflict and Rebellion
Cade's army is described as a 'ragged multitude of hinds and peasants' who target scholars, lawyers, and gentlemen as 'false caterpillars'.
Betrayal and Duplicity
Buckingham warns 'Trust nobody, for fear you be betray'd,' highlighting the pervasive suspicion and treachery.
Justice and Injustice
Lord Say asserts his innocence as his only defense, contrasting with the rebels' desire for vengeance.
Characters to notice
- King Henry VI
Receives the rebels' supplication and decides to parley with Cade rather than fight.
- Queen Margaret
Grieves over Suffolk's head, lamenting his death and expressing despair.
- Duke of Buckingham
Advises the King to retreat to Killingworth and warns against trusting the rebels.
- Lord Say
Acknowledges Cade's threat against his life but chooses to stay in London, trusting his innocence.
Key passages
“Oft have I heard that grief softens the mind And makes it fearful and degenerate; Think therefore on revenge and cease to weep.”
I've often heard that grief weakens the mind and makes it cowardly; so focus on revenge and stop crying.
Queen Margaret urges herself to channel grief into vengeful action.
“His army is a ragged multitude Of hinds and peasants, rude and merciless.”
His army is a disorganized crowd of servants and farmers, rough and pitiless.
The messenger describes Cade's followers as lowly and brutal.
“All scholars, lawyers, courtiers, gentlemen, They call false caterpillars and intend their death.”
They call all educated people, lawyers, courtiers, and nobles 'false caterpillars' and plan to kill them.
The rebels view the elite as destructive pests to be eliminated.