Henry VI, Part 2

Henry VI, Part 2, one of William Shakespeare's plays, presents a kind of story that was popular before Shakespeare began writing, tracing the fall of powerful individuals to their untimely deaths. The first to go is the Duke of Gloucester, Lord Protector of England and the most powerful man in the kingdom, who is murdered after his wife goes into exile.

Next to meet a bad end is the Duke of Suffolk, the queen's lover, who rules England through her. After Suffolk conspires with the cardinal of Winchester to kill Gloucester, he is banished and assassinated. The cardinal dies raving of his own guilt.

Ultimately, the king's weakness lies behind these events. Preferring spiritual contemplation, he has left others to contend for power. Now his liberty is at risk as Jack Cade, and then the Duke of York, rise against him. The play leaves us in suspense about Henry's fate by ending with the start of the Wars of the Roses—a conflict setting the white rose of the Duke of York against the red rose of King Henry, of the House of Lancaster.

Scholars suggest that Shakespeare wrote this play in 1590-91. A version was published as a quarto in 1594. Sources include Edward Hall's Union of the Two Noble and Illustre Families of Lancaster and York, Robert Fabyan's Chronicle, and other works.[1]

Productions at the Folger

Early editions

First Folio

LUNA: First Folio: l2v - o3v
Hamnet: STC 22273 Fo. 1 no. 68

Second Folio

LUNA: Second Folio: n4v - p5v
Hamnet: STC 22273 Fo. 2 no. 07

Third Quarto

LUNA: Third Quarto
Hamnet: STC 26101 Copy 3
  • The 1623 First Folio title page of Henry VI, Part 2. STC 22273 Fo.1 no.68.

    The 1623 First Folio title page of Henry VI, Part 2. STC 22273 Fo.1 no.68.

  • The title page of Henry VI, Part 2 printed in the 1632 Second Folio. STC 22274 Fo.2 no.07.

    The title page of Henry VI, Part 2 printed in the 1632 Second Folio. STC 22274 Fo.2 no.07.

  • The 1619 Third Quarto title page of Henry VI, Part 2. The Third Quarto also includes Henry VI, Part 3. STC 26101 copy 3.

    The 1619 Third Quarto title page of Henry VI, Part 2. The Third Quarto also includes Henry VI, Part 3. STC 26101 copy 3.

Modern editions

Henry VI Part 2 Folger Edition.JPG

Henry VI, Part 2 can be read online with Folger Digital Texts and purchased from Simon and Schuster.

Hamnet link to Folger Edition: PR2753 .M6 2003 copy 2 v.13





In popular culture

Translations

Performance materials

Other media

Image Group

Explore the curated image group for Henry VI, Part 2 in the Folger digital image collection.

Notes

  1. ↑ Adapted from the Folger Library Shakespeare edition, edited by Barbara A. Mowat and Paul Werstine. © 2008 Folger Shakespeare Library.