How we cite our quotes: (Act.Scene.Line)
Quote #1
KING HENRY
O Lord, that lends me life,
Lend me a heart replete with thankfulness!
For thou hast given me in this beauteous face
A world of earthly blessings to my soul,
If sympathy of love unite our thoughts. (1.1.22-26)
When Margaret is first presented to her husband and the court, Henry thanks God for his new wife. He shows that he believes God chose his wife and her to him. (We're not totally sure what the Big Guy would think of Margaret, to be honest.) Basically, Henry's beliefs seem to absolve him of any responsibility. After all, who would argue with God?
Quote #2
MARGARET
But all his mind is bent to holiness,
To number Ave Marys on his beads;
His champions are the prophets and apostles,
His weapons holy saws of sacred writ,
His study is his tiltyard, and his loves
Are brazen images of canonized saints. (1.3.57-62)
Margaret mocks Henry's overzealous habits to Suffolk. She wishes her husband were more like Suffolk, and she gets tired of Henry's religious behavior. We wonder whether Margaret has a problem with her husband's religion, or whether she just doesn't like the fact that it prevents him from focusing on the crown and ruling with an iron fist.
Quote #3
GLOUCESTER
What, cardinal, is your priesthood grown
peremptory?
Tantaene animis caelestibus irae?
Churchmen so hot? Good uncle, hide such malice.
With such holiness, can you do it? (2.1.23-27)
While pretending to discuss hunting, Gloucester and Beaufort swap insults. Gloucester comes up with this Latin phrase, meaning: is there much anger in heavenly minds? The Protector calls Beaufort's church role (he's a cardinal) into question by asking whether or not he's behaving in a religious manner. Umm, this is Beaufort, so the answer is a resounding no.