Sunil Malapati

There is a power vacuum after the sudden death of powerful leader Henry V, with a very young Henry VI and squabbling nobles. There is an external threat with Joan of Arc in France, seen as a saint by the French and as a witch by the English. Shakespeare juxtaposes events in England and France to provide dramatic commentary and make causal connections. Discussion Topics: • Joan la Pucelle (Joan of Arc) […]

England slips further into civil war and anarchy with a weak King Henry VI unable or unwilling to make decisions. Two larger than life figures, Richard of York and Margaret of Anjou, are introduced and they will continue to take over the series of plays. Then, there is Jack Cade and his populist rebellion, with the delicious quote “The first thing we do let’s kill all the lawyers!" Discussion Topics: Jack Cade’s […]