ABSTRACT
Two further instalments of Henry the Sixth appeared, and the series was completed by Richard the third. In the part of Henry the Sixth he began the story with the marriage of young. The history gave Shakespeare no opportunity for passages of great depth or passion, but the play was balanced and the scenes dramatic, and without undue bombast except for the incident of Suffolk's murder by pirates. Shakespeare traced the story through the complex issues and treacheries of the Wars of the Roses to the murder of King Henry in the Tower and the firm establishment of Edward the Fourth upon the throne. There was some change in his dramatic method. Shakespeare was thus forming a new conception of historical drama, using his story rather as an excuse for fine writing. He learnt much of drama and literary art, realising at first-hand that the tastes of gentlemen and the appetities of groundlings were very diverse.
