The Third Part of King Henry VI (The New Cambridge Shakespeare) (Pt. 3) [Paperback]

William Shakespeare (Author), Michael Hattaway (Editor)

Book Description

Series: The New Cambridge Shakespeare | Publication Date: March 26, 1993

A series of outstanding productions by the Royal Shakespeare Company and others have recently demonstrated the theatrical vitality of Shakespeare's plays about the reign of Henry VI. In the Third Part Shakespeare extends his essay on monarchical politics by contrasting two kings, the good but ineffective Henry VI with his rival, the sensual and victorious Edward IV. He also offers more evidence of the perils of aristocratic factionalism in a series of scenes that display the grievous wounds caused by the Wars of the Roses. Here we watch the savage death of the Duke of York at the hands of Queen Margaret, the moving lament of King Henry as he witnesses the slaughter of the battle of Towton where the Lancastrians were defeated, and finally, Henry's death at the hands of Richard of Gloucester, later King Richard III.

Editorial Reviews

Book Description

In The Third Part of King Henry VI, Shakespeare contrasts Henry VI with his rival Edward IV to present a picture of the perils of aristocratic factionalism.

Product Details

• Paperback: 247 pages
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press (March 26, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0521377056
• ISBN-13: 978-0521377058
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6.2 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.7 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,068,176 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

William Shakespeare was born in Stratford-upon-Avon in April 1564, and his birth is traditionally celebrated on April 23. The facts of his life, known from surviving documents, are sparse. He was one of eight children born to John Shakespeare, a merchant of some standing in his community. William probably went to the King's New School in Stratford, but he had no university education. In November 1582, at the age of eighteen, he married Anne Hathaway, eight years his senior, who was pregnant with their first child, Susanna. She was born on May 26, 1583. Twins, a boy, Hamnet ( who would die at age eleven), and a girl, Judith, were born in 1585. By 1592 Shakespeare had gone to London working as an actor and already known as a playwright. A rival dramatist, Robert Greene, referred to him as "an upstart crow, beautified with our feathers." Shakespeare became a principal shareholder and playwright of the successful acting troupe, the Lord Chamberlain's Men (later under James I, called the King's Men). In 1599 the Lord Chamberlain's Men built and occupied the Globe Theater in Southwark near the Thames River. Here many of Shakespeare's plays were performed by the most famous actors of his time, including Richard Burbage, Will Kempe, and Robert Armin. In addition to his 37 plays, Shakespeare had a hand in others, including Sir Thomas More and The Two Noble Kinsmen, and he wrote poems, including Venus and Adonis and The Rape of Lucrece. His 154 sonnets were published, probably without his authorization, in 1609. In 1611 or 1612 he gave up his lodgings in London and devoted more and more time to retirement in Stratford, though he continued writing such plays as The Tempest and Henry VII until about 1613. He died on April 23 1616, and was buried in Holy Trinity Church, Stratford. No collected edition of his plays was published during his life-time, but in 1623 two members of his acting company, John Heminges and Henry Condell, put together the great collection now called the First Folio.

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0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Part 3, And Still Running Strong, July 17, 2006

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Bradley Headstone "Sean ARES Hirsch" (New York) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Henry VI. Part 3 (TV Shakespeare) (Pt. 3) (Paperback)

If you read Part 2, you know that York and his sons Edward and Richard (in quest for the crown) won a battle against King Henry VI, Queen Margaret, and their allies. These defeated parties fled. But one won battle does not mean the war. If York is to be king, he needs some degree of public approval. (King Henry IV in Shakespeare AND history suffered many uprisings due to a flawed claim to the crown!)

In 1.1, York and Henry VI have a verbal conflict. York shows some degree of conscience in that he will let Henry VI reign for life, if Henry declares York or his surviving sons the heir to the crown. (But this peace is short lived. It is not good enough for the queen or her son.)

In her 4 appearances, this is Queen Margaret's strongest one. She takes control of the king's forces, and along with Clifford and others defeats York most brutally. (You may recall Clifford's father was killed in Part 2, and Clifford vowed revenge.) York's sons (despite their father's death) and their ally Warwick continue to fight. In this play Shakespeare shows us the true horrors of war with 'the son that hath killed the father' and 'the father that hath killed his son.' Some realities take the glory out of war.

Edward, Richard, and Warwick are triumphant. Soon afterwards, poor Henry Vi is captured. Despite Edward's role as the villain, Shakespeare gives him some decent treatment. (He was after all Elizabeth's great grandfather.) Richard receives no such treatment. Rather, Shakespeare prepares Richard's brewing evil for the next play ("Richard III").

Moving on, Warwick encourages Edward IV to marry Lady Bona of France and thus secure relations with France. (After all, it would be dangerous i Margaret and the exiled Lancastrians make an ally of France.) Well, Edward falls in love with Elizabeth Woodville, and marries her. To make along story short, Warwick learns about this, and in a fury, forms an alliance with Margaret and vows to take Edward down and restore Henry VI. There were actually several reasons in history why Warwick switched sides, but Shakespeare only has so much he can put in one play.

Moving on, the Lancastrians with the help of France strike back, and Edward IV is defeated. Henry VI is then restored to the throne. We also see the eventual King Henry VII who will put an end to the war. (But not until the next play.)

Sadly, this moment of happiness is short lived, and one by one the tragic heroes of this play are killed. Queen Margaret fought especially well, but she too is defeated. Richard himself murders Henry VI and proudly compares himself to Judas Iscariot. (Talk about Shakespeare terror!) Oxford is captured, but (as in history) he will escape eventually and join Henry VII. The bad guys win in this play, but we can also see that division is brewing. (That will come full force in the next play "Richard III.")