Henry VI, Part II · Chapter
Scene X explained
Jack Cade, starving and hiding in the woods, climbs into Alexander Iden's garden seeking food.
What happens
Jack Cade, starving and hiding in the woods, climbs into Alexander Iden's garden seeking food. Iden confronts him, and after a brief exchange, they fight. Cade is slain, lamenting that famine, not valor, defeated him. Iden resolves to cut off Cade's head and present it to the king as a trophy.
Themes in this chapter
Class Conflict and Rebellion
Cade's rebellion represents the struggle of the common people against the nobility, and his death at the hands of Iden, a landowner, underscores the suppression of popular revolt.
Honor and Reputation
Iden refuses to take advantage of Cade's weakened state, insisting on a fair fight to preserve his honor, while Cade's final words lament his lost reputation as an unconquered rebel.
Characters to notice
- Jack Cade
Starving and desperate, Cade climbs into Iden's garden to find food, fights Iden, and is slain, blaming famine for his defeat.
- Alexander Iden
The esquire of Kent who defends his garden, kills Cade in combat, and plans to present Cade's head to the king.
Key passages
“Fie on ambition! fie on myself, that have a sword, and yet am ready to famish!”
Curse ambition and curse myself—I have a weapon but am starving to death.
Cade expresses regret and desperation as hunger overcomes him.
“This small inheritance my father left me Contenteth me, and worth a monarchy.”
The modest estate my father gave me satisfies me, and it is as valuable as a kingdom.
Iden contrasts his contentment with the turmoil of court life.
“I am slain! famine and no other hath slain me”
I am killed—not by a man, but by starvation.
Cade insists that hunger, not Iden's sword, caused his death.