How we cite our quotes: (Act.Scene.Line)
Quote #1
BUCKINGHAM
My surveyor is false. The o'ergreat cardinal
Hath showed him gold. My life is spanned already.
I am the shadow of poor Buckingham,
Whose figure even this instant cloud puts on
By dark'ning my clear sun. [To Norfolk.] My lord,
farewell. (1.1.264-269)
When he is accused of treason, Buckingham doesn't fight. Why? He claims there's no use in protesting, because it's already decided, and his life has already been measured out (spun). That sure does sound like fate to us—the characters seem to think they are just playing a part in a cosmic play.
Quote #2
WOLSEY
If I am
Traduced by ignorant tongues, which neither know
My faculties nor person, yet will be
The chronicles of my doing, let me say
'Tis but the fate of place, and the rough brake
That virtue must go through. (1.2.85-90)
Wolsey tells Henry that charging Buckingham with treason was fated, and it's out of his hands. Okay, maybe. But then why does he need to go out of his way to tell everyone he had nothing to do with it? It sounds more like Wolsey is covering his tracks than actually unfolding Buckingham's fate.
Quote #3
BUCKINGHAM
A little happier than my wretched father.
Yet thus far we are one in fortunes: both
Fell by our servants, by those men we loved most—
A most unnatural and faithless service. (2.1.140-143)
There's just something about death that makes people spill all their secrets. Buckingham tells us at his execution that his father suffered a similar fate; it looks like their fortunes are intertwined with one another. (Check out Richard III if you want to see what happened with his dad.)