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julshakespeare's review against another edition
4.0
4/5 stars, full review to come! Needed more Margaret and less Cade’s rebellion imo.
Plot: 3/5
Characters: 4/5
Pacing: 4/5
Writing: 5/5
Enjoyment: 4/5
Plot: 3/5
Characters: 4/5
Pacing: 4/5
Writing: 5/5
Enjoyment: 4/5
_circe_'s review against another edition
adventurous
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
oliverho's review against another edition
3.0
At least three scenes where people do things with severed heads--this one was more gruesome that part one, and a little easier to follow, with fewer characters and separate story lines, but still lots of action. Interesting how modern it feels. On to part three.
karis321's review against another edition
2.0
Act 4 really ramped up the story with all the bloodshed, but the ending was a huge cliffhanger that's meant to be finished in Part 3, which is very annoying as someone who was dropped in the middle of the story. The first three acts just serve as set up and was boring as hell, with all the plotting and scheming everyone was planning, some of which feels completely unnecessary in hindsight (Like with Gloucester's wife getting arrested and exiled for practicing witchery? I know it was to foreshadow Suffolk's death, but using magic as a device to do so is such a weird choice).
Also, Henry VI, despite being the titular and most important character, doesn't really do anything. He's such a noncharacter, moved by the people around him rather than taking charge of his own story. Everything happening around him is far more interesting than Henry himself.
Also, Henry VI, despite being the titular and most important character, doesn't really do anything. He's such a noncharacter, moved by the people around him rather than taking charge of his own story. Everything happening around him is far more interesting than Henry himself.
jasmee's review against another edition
3.0
It gets a bit heavy or, should I say, tedious with the sound and the fury packed within the confilcts among the dukes, the houses. But shows it in flashes the plots, the intrigues and wit to come and appear in a myriad of voices and characters. As a part of the trilogy among the history plays and the context of power though, the play holds well enough. The sequence moves forward now.
graylodge_library's review against another edition
3.0
These historical plays about kings haven't fully been my jam. They're fine but not as memorable as others I've read before this challenge. I'd still say there's a lot to explore here, from power play and conflicts on a macro and micro level to Henry's inability to rule like a proper king (I always love a bit of necromancy, too). A lot to unpack, but I think I'd prefer to see these on stage.
leslie115's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars. What a gruesome, bloody play. But I liked the eloquence of the Lieutenant.
2021 reread: Emma Smith's lecture on this play helps me appreciate this early history more, with her consideration of whether it can stand alone. Watching the 1983 BBC production, however, emphasizes the strength of Queen Margaret and potential power (and chaos) of mobs. The latter especially resonated with me because of the Jan 6 insurrection.
2021 reread: Emma Smith's lecture on this play helps me appreciate this early history more, with her consideration of whether it can stand alone. Watching the 1983 BBC production, however, emphasizes the strength of Queen Margaret and potential power (and chaos) of mobs. The latter especially resonated with me because of the Jan 6 insurrection.
bluemaiden's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0