How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #4
"Yes, sire," Miles replied; then observed to himself, "If I must humor the poor lad's madness, I must sire him, I must majesty him, I must not go by halves, I must stick at nothing that belongeth to the part I play, else shall I play it ill and work evil to this charitable and kindly cause." (12.41)
Why do you think Miles is the only person who plays along with Edward? If he doesn't believe the prince, why indulge him? Why doesn't he believe him in the first place? Does he just have a great imagination? Why does having a great imagination help characters like Miles and Tom?
Quote #5
But a sorrowful thought swept it instantly away; he was only a king in name, these grave veterans and great nobles were his masters; to them his mother was only the creature of a diseased mind; they would simply listen to his project with unbelieving ears, then send for the doctor. (14.34)
Tom thinks that he's just a king in name, but how would that be different if he were the "real" king? Even the historical King Edward was mostly a mouthpiece for other nobles. So is one kind of king actually more real than the other?
Quote #6
His concern made him even forget, for the moment, that he was but the false shadow of a king, not the substance; and before he knew it he had blurted out the command: "Bring them here!" (15.15)
Fake or not, Tom sure gives out commands like a king. He's certainly learned how to play the role well—which makes us wonder whether kingliness is mostly about role-playing and not that much about some innate kingly qualities.