Henry VI is an infant in the opening scene of the trilogy named for him; in its closing scene he dies. From his first appearance on the stage he is bookish and pious. "Marriage, Uncle! Alas, my years are young! / And fitter is my study and my books / Than wanton dalliance with a paramour." His nobles choke and splutter at the news of England's shrinking authority in France; Henry shrugs and says they must accept God's will.
These are not, as you might imagine, traits they find very kingly. "Be patient," Henry counsels Lord Clifford. "Patience is for poltroons," Clifford retorts. When the sparks of discontent ignite a civil war, Henry is even more ill-suited to lead.
He laments his lot as king, saying, "Oh, God! Methinks it were a happy life / To be no better than a homely swain" and "Was never subject long'd to be a king / As I do long and wish to be a subject." He knows he's not really the man for the job, and yet he also believes he's better than the alternative, pointing out how kindly he has treated his subjects.
Henry spends a fair amount of his time on stage being told that he's talking too much again. That's Henry in a nutshell, actually: all talk, no action. It's ironic that in his last scene he lashes out at the long-winded Duke of Gloucester (soon to be crowned as Richard III): "Kill me with thy weapon, not with words!" He dies shortly, with his book in hand.
Margaret is initially an unappealing character, brought to England to satisfy the wicked desires of the Earl of Suffolk. She is unfaithful to her husband; she wishes to heaven he would just SHUT UP already.
Everything changes after she bears Henry's son. She is outraged by Henry's willingness to yield to the house of York. "But thou preferr'st thy life before thine honour," she says scornfully. She announces she'll lead the fighting men herself so that her son will not be denied his crown, and under her generalship they beat back the opposing forces with surprising success. My favorite quote from 3 Henry VI comes from Margaret: "Why, courage then! What cannot be avoided / 'Twere childish weakness to lament or fear."
Shakespeare took liberties with his portrayal of Henry, who was actually mentally ill and unable to lead the country -- it wasn't just that he'd rather be reading. Margaret stepped in to help in hopes of protecting their son. She did all she could, apparently, but it wasn't quite enough.
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