# Scene X explained — Henry VI, Part II > Chapter companion for Henry VI, Part II by William Shakespeare. ## 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. ## Character check-ins ### 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 lines > 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._ ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/henry_vi_part_ii_se/chapters/act-iv-scene-x - Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/henry_vi_part_ii_se - All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/henry_vi_part_ii_se/chapters