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Overview

Synopsis

At the end of Henry VI Part 1, Suffolk meets Margaret of Anjou and vows to make her Queen of England. Part 2 begins with the marriage of King Henry VI and Queen Margaret. Little does the King know that Margaret and his Duke of Suffolk are in love and seeking to control the kingdom right under his nose. But first, in order to solidify this plan, they must get rid of all the other people vying for power, beginning with the King’s uncle and protector, Gloucester, Gloucester is a kind and true advisor, but he has many enemies. His wife, Eleanor, is also a problem and sabotages his position through her dream of becoming Queen. Eleanor studies witchcraft and summons a demon to help his cause, which ultimately destroys her, Gloucester, and the Cardinal of Winchester who dies of guilt for his part in Gloucester’s murder. This sequence of events leads to more tragedy and more fighting, as heads are chopped off, commoners rebel (led by a silly but ruthless soldier named Cade), and a war begins for the throne. Henry VI Part 2 ends when the Duke of York, his sons (one of whom becomes Richard III), and his followers, gain ground on the King and get closer to seizing the crown.

Show Information

Category
Play
Age Guidance
Thirteen Plus (PG-13)
Number of Acts
5
First Produced
1591
Genres
Drama, Historical/Biographical
Settings
Multiple Settings
Time & Place
england
Cast Size
large
Licensor
None/royalty-free
Ideal For
professional theatre, university theatre, community theatre, outdoor theatre, College/University, Large Cast, Mostly Male Cast, Professional Theatre, Regional Theatre, Star Vehicle Male, Includes Adult, Young Adult, Mature Adult, Late Teen Characters

Context

Plot

Characters

Name Part Size Gender Vocal Part

King Henry VI

Lead

Male

Non-singer

Gloucestor

Lead

Male

Non-singer

York

Lead

Male

Non-singer

Suffolk

Lead

Male

Non-singer

Queen Margaret

Lead

Female

Non-singer

Somerset

Supporting

Male

Non-singer

Buckingham

Supporting

Male

Non-singer

The Cardinal of Winchester

Supporting

Male

Non-singer

Salisbury

Supporting

Male

Non-singer

Warwick

Supporting

Male

Non-singer

Eleanor

Supporting

Female

Non-singer

Hume

Supporting

Male

Non-singer

Cade

Supporting

Male

Non-singer

Dick the Butcher

Supporting

Male

Non-singer

Richard

Supporting

Male

Non-singer

Iden

Supporting

Male

Non-singer

Clifford

Supporting

Male

Non-singer

Sir Humphrey Stafford

Supporting

Male

Jourdain

Featured

Female

Non-singer

Bolingbroke

Featured

Male

Bass

Smith

Featured

Male

Non-singer

Lieutenant

Featured

Male

Non-singer

Whitmore

Featured

Male

Non-singer

Bevis and Holland (2)

Featured

Male

Non-singer

Stafford

Featured

Male

Non-singer

Lord Saye

Featured

Male

Non-singer

Edward

Featured

Male

Non-singer

Young Clifford

Featured

Male

Michael

Featured

Male

George

Featured

Male

Lord Scales

Featured

Male

Southwell

Featured

Male

Spirit

Featured

Female

Two Gentlemen (2)

Featured

Male

Ensemble

Ensemble

Either Gender

Non-singer

Songs

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A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number; a character listed in a song with an asterisk (*) by the character's name indicates that the character exclusively serves as a dancer in this song, which is sung by other characters.

Monologues

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Scenes

All scenes are the property and copyright of their owners. Scenes are presented on StageAgent for educational purposes only. If you would like to give a public performance of this scene, please obtain authorization from the appropriate licensor.

Key Terms

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Videos

Quizzes

Themes, Symbols & Motifs

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Quote Analysis

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