Succession is a recurring theme and conflict in many of William Shakespeare's plays. Succession leads to factionalism within a nation. Henry VI part I is set in the period of transition and warfare, in which it depicts the “disintegration of a strongly centralized and self- aware nation imagined to exist under Henry V as a way of demonstrating the detrimental effects of factionalism” (Jones). Factionalism is created by personal ambitions. Personal ambitions are apparent in the Henry Beaufort, Richard Plantagenet and Somerset, as wells as Suffolk and King Henry VI.
The play begins with Henry V lying in his coffin at his funeral, creating a doleful mood. However, the mourning and eulogies are interrupted by a messenger that informs them of English’s defeat in France. At this point, the “unkind division” begins ( ). The royal dukes and bishop disagree on what actions will occur in result of the succession. Henry…show more content… The division results in the Wars of the Roses. Plantagenet and his followers pick white roses, while Somerset and his people chose red. Insulted by Somerset during an argument, Plantagenet seeks his family history from his dying uncle Mortimer, who tells Plantagenet that the throne is his rightful position. More factionalism is created from Plantagenet's ambition to restore his family position. The lords consult the king about their faction, but the king claims that it is trivial, and will only weaken their nation. The king impetuously plucks a red rose to show that it is only a flower, not a symbol of who he favors more. Plantagenet is upset that the king did not chose his flower. The king assigns the two lords to provide Talbot with men and supplies for war. Somerset and Plantagenet can not put their differences aside to work together and the factionalism between the two men causes the death of two true heroes: Talbot and his