How we cite our quotes: (Act.Scene.Line)
Quote #1
QUEEN MARGARET
Had I been there, which am a silly woman,
The soldiers should have tossed me on their pikes
Before I would have granted to that act.
But thou preferr'st thy life before thine honor. (1.1.251-254)
Even though Margaret's a "silly woman," even she could have stood up to Edward. Yeah, Margaret's basically telling Henry that he's even dumber and weaker than a woman. According to her, a real man should prefer his honor to his life. What does that tell us about masculinity in this society?
Quote #2
RICHARD
Ay, with five hundred, father, for a need.
A woman's general; what should we fear? (1.2.68-69)
Richard is convinced his father's army has nothing to worry about, because they're led by a woman. Well, the joke's on him: that army ends up beating them—and killing York, as well. While the men might like to use the kid gloves on Margaret, she doesn't go easy on them. It's clear that she goes against her society's ideas about a woman's ability to be strong and powerful.
Quote #3
YORK
She-wolf of France, but worse than wolves of
France,
Whose tongue more poisons than the adder's tooth:
How ill-beseeming is it in thy sex
To triumph like an Amazonian trull
Upon their woes whom fortune captivates.
But that thy face is, vizard-like, unchanging,
Made impudent with use of evil deeds,
I would assay, proud queen, to make thee blush. (1.4.112-120)
York says that Margaret is worse than animals, that's she's an insult to all women, that's she's a liar, that she's evil… need we go on? The point is, he thinks Margaret is as far away as she can possibly be from the way women should behave.