How we cite our quotes: (Act.Scene.Line)
Quote #1
YORK
In face, in gait, in speech, he doth resemble.
By this I shall perceive the Commons' mind,
How they affect the house and claim of York.
Say he be taken, racked, and torturèd,
I know no pain they can inflict upon him
Will make him say I moved him to those arms. (3.1.378-383)
As York tells us about his plans for Jack Cade, we realize that though Cade may be in power with the rebels, he's actually just a pawn in the nobility game. He might think he's fighting for class issues, but he's actually just pushing the agenda of another would-be king.
Quote #2
SUFFOLK:
'Tis like the commons, rude unpolished hinds,
Could send such message to their sovereign!
To Salisbury But you, my lord, were glad to be
employed,
To show how quaint an orator you are.
But all the honor Salisbury hath won
Is, that he was the lord ambassador
Sent from a sort of tinkers to the King. (3.2.280-287)
When the commoners are trying to break in to get some answers, Suffolk refers to them as "unpolished" country bumpkins. The nobles are annoyed at the commoners' behavior and wish the commoners would just stay in line. But we can't help but wonder whether the commoners have a point: are they just slaves to the nobility?
Quote #3
SUFFOLK
With humble suit. No, rather let my head
Stoop to the block than these knees bow to any
Save to the God of heaven and to my king;
And sooner dance upon a bloody pole
Than stand uncovered to the vulgar groom.
True nobility is exempt from fear.—
More can I bear than you dare execute. (4.1.132-138)
Right before he's murdered, Suffolk proclaims his high social class. It doesn't matter much once he's dead, but to Suffolk, it's who he is. He talks about being a noble almost in a religious way, as if it's something he believes in.