How we cite our quotes: (Act.Scene.Line)
Quote #4
SUFFOLK
Smooth runs the water where the brook is deep,
And in his simple show he harbors treason.
The fox barks not when he would steal the lamb.
No, no, my sovereign, Gloucester is a man
Unsounded yet and full of deep deceit. (3.1.53-57)
Trying to convince Henry that Gloucester is a traitor (even though he's not), Suffolk says that smooth water runs deep. Huh? He means that shallow water is fast, but you can see what's in it. Deep water is the one to fear: it's slow and seems harmless, but it has more depth, and monsters hide underneath. Irony alert: Suffolk is right about watching out for treasonous nobles… just not about Gloucester. It's Suffolk himself who is the trouble.
Quote #5
KING HENRY
Ah, uncle Humphrey, in thy face I see
The map of honor, truth, and loyalty;
And yet, good Humphrey, is the hour to come
That e'er I proved thee false or feared thy faith. (3.1.203-206)
After Gloucester is arrested, Henry can't believe it and says his old pal is the picture of loyalty: it's written right on Gloucester's face. Back in Shakespeare's day, a person's face was considered representative of the type of soul a person had, so if loyalty is written on Gloucester's face, then it must true that he's totally loyal.
Quote #6
SALISBURY
They say, by him the good Duke Humphrey died;
They say, in him they fear your Highness' death;
And mere instinct of love and loyalty,
Free from a stubborn opposite intent,
As being thought to contradict your liking,
Makes them thus forward in his banishment. (3.2.257-262)
Salisbury says that the commoners have doubts about Gloucester's death: they think he was murdered. It's interesting that the commoners care so much about Gloucester's death; it's his murder that ignites their rumblings against the nobles. It seems as if they have a pretty good idea how corrupt and treacherous their government is, but this particular murder seems to really cross some kind of line for them, perhaps because it's so high profile, and also because it so clearly goes behind the king's back.