How we cite our quotes: (Act.Scene.Line)
Quote #1
GLOUCESTER
Shall Henry's conquest, Bedford's vigilance,
Your deeds of war, and all our counsel die?
O peers of England, shameful is this league,
Fatal this marriage, cancelling your fame,
Blotting your names from books of memory,
Razing the characters of your renown,
Defacing monuments of conquered France,
Undoing all, as all had never been! (1.1.101-108)
Gloucester argues that Margaret was just a means to an end—a mere conquest and nothing more, so she's not worth losing the lands in France. As if that didn't make his point crystal clear, he compares her to the Fates (goddesses who control everyone's destiny), just because she's a woman. Basically, he's pointing out that she's the cause of all Henry's problems because she's a woman. He's got 99 problems and she is one. (Okay, actually, she's like 98 of them.)
Quote #2
ELEANOR
Follow I must; I cannot go before
While Gloucester bears this base and humble mind.
Were I a man, a duke, and next of blood,
I would remove these tedious stumbling blocks
And smooth my way upon their headless necks;
And, being a woman, I will not be slack
To play my part in Fortune's pageant.— (1.2.63-69)
As Eleanor thinks about how Gloucester has just told her to stop dreaming of the crown, she decides to hire witches to learn—and possibly influence—the future. That may not seem like a huge step, but it was totally illegal; it was even punishable by death. Even so, Eleanor confesses she would do more if she were a man.
Quote #3
GLOUCESTER
Madam, the king is old enough himself
To give his censure. These are no women's matters.
MARGARET
If he be old enough, what needs your Grace
To be Protector of his Excellence? (1.3.119-122)
There's a war brewing between Margaret and Gloucester about whether Gloucester should be Protector or not. Here, Gloucester rolls out the heavy artillery and claims that Margaret should just stay at home and not get involved with politics; after all, she's a woman. It's clear that Gloucester thinks women have no place in the world of politics; he's now told both Eleanor and Margaret to butt out. Maybe they wouldn't have to resort to such devious measures if they were just allowed into the political world to begin with?