The duke of Gloucester is a tragic figure in Henry VI, Part 2. Despite being the only nobleman in Henry’s court who prides himself on honorable conduct and steadfast loyalty to his king, he is the first to fall to the murderous scheming of his peers. The primary accusation directed at Gloucester is that he retains power and influence over the king that he should no longer have. As the Lord Protector, his title gives him the right to preside over matters of state until the young king comes of age. However, since Henry is now authorized to rule on his own, Margaret and Winchester insist that his services are no longer required. Yet they also go further, claiming that his alleged refusal to relinquish power is a sign of his political ambition. In truth, they just want his power. It is for this reason that they plot his downfall—first by setting a trap for his overly ambitious wife, then by forcing a trial in which he stands accused of treason, and finally by arranging his murder.
Just as the key tragedy of Part 1 centered on the untimely death of Lord Talbot, the central tragedy of Part 2 is that of Gloucester’s unjustified killing. Lord Talbot was a man who believed wholeheartedly in the code of chivalry, which demanded honorable conduct both in and out of war. He was a man who spoke earnestly of his deep commitment to king, country, and God, and whether he was at court or on the battlefield, his behavior always reflected this commitment. His tragic death was directly linked to a military snafu caused by the bitter rivalry between York and Somerset. Gloucester plays a similar role in Part 2. Like Talbot, he is a man guided by a personal code of ethics. Though his rivals accuse him of being ambitious and hungry for power, at no point in either Part 1 or Part 2 does Gloucester ever act in a way that would confirm their claims. Even when speaking privately to his wife he demonstrates fealty to his king, chiding her for indulging in fantasies of becoming queen. Also like Talbot, Gloucester’s fall results directly from scheming nobles. His death marks a profound loss for the stability of both king and country.