Jack Cade

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Henry VI, Part 2

Summary

Jack Cade is the charismatic rebel leader who briefly seizes London and declares himself king, promising the common people a utopia of free bread and drink. He is simultaneously a dark satirical figure — his wild promises and absurd decrees expose both popular discontent and its easy manipulation by the likes of York who set him in motion. He is ultimately hunted down and killed in a garden.

Notable Quotations

"Be brave, then; for your captain is brave, and vows reformation. There shall be in England seven halfpenny loaves sold for a penny; the three-hooped pot shall have ten hoops; and I will make it felony to drink small beer." *(4.2)*

"The first thing we do, let's kill all the lawyers." *(4.2)*

"Is not this a lamentable thing, that of the skin of an innocent lamb should be made parchment? that parchment, being scribbled o'er, should undo a man?" *(4.2)*

Cross-references