Alex H.

Tricky Dick

Boy, Richard is a lot of fun to hate. Act III shows him making backroom deals and maneuvering so that not only does he have an open path to the throne, it seems like a grateful populace is pushing it on him. I’ve never really used the word “dastardly” before, but it seems appropriate toContinue reading “Tricky Dick”

England is getting another boy king

Richard remains busy as he attempts to consolidate power through murder and mayhem. He appears to have a friend in the Duke of Buckingham now, and for the life of me, I don’t know how anyone trusts him. As was specifically pointed out in this act, even the citizens in London don’t think he’s aContinue reading “England is getting another boy king”

Now is the winter of something or other

Starting Act I of Richard III felt like starting Shakespeare for real. I know the previous plays were just as much Shakespeare as this one, and in fact, this play is capping off the story begun with the Henry VI trilogy, but there was something about reading one of the most famous lines in EnglishContinue reading “Now is the winter of something or other”

Have I ever talked to you about procreation? (Interlude #3)

I have to tell you, I was ready to give up on the sonnets this time around. Creepy Uncle Bill really only seems to have one thing on his mind: getting his pretty young friend to have some damn kids already. It was funny for five sonnets, uncomfortable for the next set of five, butContinue reading “Have I ever talked to you about procreation? (Interlude #3)”

A milestone, of sorts

After finishing this trilogy of plays, I’m left feeling differently than I expected I would about Shakespeare. Firstly, I am quite pleasantly surprised to find that I’m enjoying the experience immensely. These plays are likely not the best on offer from the bard, yet even so are a lot of fun to read. I doContinue reading “A milestone, of sorts”

The return of the king

Act V of Henry VI Part Three was a wild ride. We begin with a battle and end with the death of the king, long live the king. Edward marches on Warwick, who is in a bit of a bad spot and ultimately dies at the hands of the Yorks. Margaret arrives from France withContinue reading “The return of the king”

Everybody hates Edward

Poor Edward. For a king, he seems to have a tough time getting anybody to stay on his side. I mean, even Henry seems to have his loyal supporters and he’s the very embodiment of milquetoast. Edward, however, keeps losing allies like Warwick through short-sighted amorous conquests and now has even lost the faith ofContinue reading “Everybody hates Edward”

Edward’s very short reign

There is not a single battle in Act III, but I got the impression this was only because we’re being set up for another battle in Act IV. Instead of fighting, we got a little sexual harassment and some political waffling that is like to make one’s head spin. We begin with Henry on theContinue reading “Edward’s very short reign”

So now I’m not even allowed to fight?

Act II of Henry VI Part Three really seemed to me to be about the dissolution of a marriage. We’ve seen that Henry and Margaret don’t have a great relationship. In fact, Margaret was unfaithful with Suffolk right from the beginning of her marriage. Henry has rarely stuck up for himself with anyone, certainly notContinue reading “So now I’m not even allowed to fight?”

Alas, poor York…

With the relatively slow exposition of the last two plays, I was not expecting Part Three to start off with such a bang. The action begins pretty much where Part Two left off, with York & Co. pursuing Henry to Parliament, where they make a really bad deal with one another. They agree to layContinue reading “Alas, poor York…”