Henry VI, Part 1 | Henry (King Henry VI of England)

The young King Henry VI is in every way the opposite of Henry V, his well-loved, warlike father. He is ineffectual, weak, and inconsistent. He is easily led by those around him. Shakespeare underlines this weakness by delaying the king's first entrance until half way through the play (III.i) and by having him appear in a total of only five scenes (this in a play bearing the king's name). It is as if he really doesn't matter in the affairs of his own kingdom.

When the king does appear, his behavior does not bode well for the future of his realm. In III.i, he relies upon what he...

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