Act 2, scene 3

Act 2, scene 3

1. Northumberland and Henry march to Berkeley castle

   • Harry Percey guides them, pledging his loyalty to Henry
     • Introduction of Henry & Percy is significant given their dispute in Henry IV Part 1 - Henry will at once battle with Percy and wish that he had Percy for a son instead of his own disappointing Hal.

2. Ross and Willoughby enter

   • Berkeley carries a message for Henry
     • Henry states he's in England to stake a claim to his rightful inheritance, including the title of Lancaster.
       • Berkeley says that the Duke of York has sent him.
       • Henry only want's what is rightfully his, still obedient to Richard

3. York scolds Henry violating Richard’s decree of banishment

   • He says that he would take action against Henry if he were a younger, abler man.
     • Henry asks what he has done wrong, and York responds that he has committed treason and rebellion and returned despite being banished.
       • Henry says he was banished under a different title, and has come to claim his new one: "Lancaster"
         • “I am a subject, / and I challenge law,”
           • asserting the notion that Richard can be held accountable for his actions on the throne.
             • Henry uses clever language in response to York

4. York agrees that Richard has been unfair and a subpar king.

   • York still believes that staging a rebellion is wrong
     • Northumberland assures York that Henry is merely there to reclaim his titles, nothing more.
       • York offers hospitality in Berkeley castle.
         • They ask York to join them later to Bristol Castle to confront Bushy and Bagot.
           • The ease with which Henry moves through England in this play is contrasted by the war-centric plays that follow in the tetralogy.
         • to prevent any bloodshed
     • Henry believes that a king’s bad behaviour can be justification for rebellion.
   • Henry is popular amongst the noblemen