The Duke of York

In Act IV scene vi of the play, Exeter updates Henry on the battle going on with the French. The English are winning overwhelmingly, but two cousins, the Duke of York and the Earl of Suffolk have been killed. The Duke of York laid next to his cousin, who has died already, and exclaims that he is happy that they have “kept together in their chivalry.” He goes on to show his love to his cousin by kissing him and telling Exeter to “Commend my service to me sovereign” as he dies. Both Exeter and Henry are moved to tears by the story. The strange thing about this incident is that Henry has very unlucky and unfortunate friendships with Nym, Scrope, and Bardolph in which he has killed all three because of his duties as king. They were his friends prior to him taking the throne, and since Scrope helped plot an assassination attempt at him, and Bardolph and Nym pillaged during the war so Henry had them executed. King Henry’s responsibilities as a king force him to act in ways that many do not deem moral. He does not allow himself to trust those around him which prevents him from having a loving friendship with anyone. As cold and painful as it must be for him to have his friends killed for breaking the law, Henry knows that he must do so in order to maintain control and prevent chaos from ensuing.