Henry VI Part 1 Power Quotes

How we cite our quotes: (Act.Scene.Line)

Quote #1

GLOUCESTER
England ne'er had a king until his time.
Virtue he had, deserving to command;
His brandished sword did blind men with his beams;
His arms spread wider than a dragon's wings;
His sparkling eyes, replete with wrathful fire,
More dazzled and drove back his enemies (1.1.8-13)

Talk about military power—to hear Gloucester tell it, Henry V sounds like the scariest dude ever. Obviously, this gained the respect of his nobles, though it also leaves his infant son with an uphill battle when it comes to earning their respect as well.

Quote #2

WINCHESTER
He was a king blest of the King of kings;
Unto the French the dreadful Judgement Day
So dreadful will not be as was his sight.
The battles of the Lord of Hosts he fought;
The Church's prayers made him so prosperous. (1.1.28-32)

The play shows that we can't trust Winchester completely, and this seems a little over the top—Henry was scarier than Judgment Day? Seems unlikely. But this speech does show something about the kind of supernatural power kings were expected to have. The nobles want to feel like God is on the side of their king.

Quote #3

BASTARD
A holy maid hither with me I bring,
Which by a vision sent to her from heaven
Ordainèd is to raise this tedious siege
And drive the English forth the bounds of France.
The spirit of deep prophecy she hath, (1.2.51-55)

The English aren't the only ones who want God on their side. The French think Joan of Arc is blessed by God with the ability to prophesy or predict the future, and they also think God will help her as she chases the English away by military might. In this play, people often expect military power and supernatural power to go together.