Act 2 of Henry VI, part 1 runs 530 lines across 5 scenes, carrying about 19.2% of the play’s total dialogue with 24 named speakers. It’s shorter than the play’s average act (552 lines).
Act opens (Scene 1, Sergeant): “Sirs, take your places and be vigilant:”
Act closes (Scene 5, Plantagenet): “Or make my ill the advantage of my good.”
The 5 scenes of Act 2
| Scene | Lines | Speakers | Share of act |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scene 1 | 85 | 12 | 16.0% |
| Scene 2 | 61 | 5 | 11.5% |
| Scene 3 | 97 | 4 | 18.3% |
| Scene 4 | 151 | 6 | 28.5% |
| Scene 5 | 136 | 3 | 25.7% |
Who speaks in Act 2
The leading voice is Mortimer with 18% of Act 2’s dialogue (95 lines).
| Character | Lines in act | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Mortimer ♂ | 95 | 17.9% |
| Talbot ♂ | 91 | 17.2% |
| Plantagenet ♂ | 82 | 15.5% |
| Somerset ♂ | 46 | 8.7% |
| Of Auvergne ♂ | 45 | 8.5% |
| Warwick ♂ | 30 | 5.7% |
| Burgundy ♂ | 18 | 3.4% |
How Act 2 of Henry VI, part 1 compares to other historys
| Play | Act 2 lines | Scenes |
|---|---|---|
| Henry IV, part 1 | 850 | 4 |
| Henry IV, part 2 | 786 | 4 |
| Henry VIII | 752 | 4 |
| Henry VI, part 3 | 705 | 6 |
| Richard II | 649 | 4 |
| King John | 609 | 1 |
| Henry V | 566 | 5 |
| Henry VI, part 1 (this act) | 530 | 5 |
| Henry VI, part 2 | 509 | 4 |
| Richard III | 425 | 4 |
About Act 2 of Henry VI, part 1
How many lines are in Act 2 of Henry VI, part 1?
530 lines spread across 5 scenes.
Who dominates Act 2?
Mortimer delivers 18% of the act’s dialogue (95 lines).