This section contains 1,217 words (approx. 4 pages at 400 words per page) |
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Act 1, Scene 1 Summary
This play places several historical characters, principally King Henry II of England and his queen, Eleanor of Aquitaine, into the fictionalized context of a family gathering at Christmas and dramatizes the personal and political conflicts that result. In a series of wittily written confrontations, the characters manipulate each other like pieces on a chessboard, constantly seeking weaknesses in each other and jockeying for advantage. By the end of the play the situation is the same as when it started--nothing has been resolved, but everybody, including the audience, has enjoyed the game.
The first scene takes place in the bedchamber of Henry's mistress, Alais (Alice). As Alais tries on a small crown, Henry tells her she's making a futile gesture and tells her to hurry. She says she's going to stay in her room and he can send up reports of what's...
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This section contains 1,217 words (approx. 4 pages at 400 words per page) |
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