As I read Shakespeare roughly in order, this is the first time yet I've found something I'd really like to return to. His other historical plays so far have focused on action and gore at the expense of much else.

While there's plenty of that here, for the first time there is more beside. This is Shakespeare's first, but surely not last, reflection on populist resentment. Cade can seem like a random or absurd character, but he has the effect of revealing in surprising fashion that there is more to England than nobles and kings. The whole play reflects a power struggle, but the reasons for struggle are more multifaceted here than before.

I do hope that part 3 can maintain this momentum. Also, I'm curious whether this marks a turning point out of Early Shakespeare? It probably doesn't, but a man can dream.