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Analyzing Leadership and Popular Will in Henry VI, Part 2 and the Cuban Revolution of Fidel Castro

Shakespeare wasn’t just a master of words; he was a keen observer of power, politics, and human nature. In Henry VI, Part 2, he vividly portrays the chaos and fire of rebellion through Jack Cade, who leads a peasant revolt against the English crown. Cade’s uprising has all the initial sparks of a revolution – popular discontent and armed insurrection. Yet, it ultimately fizzles out in failure.

Why? What separates a doomed revolt like Cade’s from one that succeeds? Here at Mind on Fire Books, we love diving deep into such questions. Let’s explore this by comparing Shakespeare’s fictional rebellion with a real-world revolution that profoundly changed history: Fidel Castro’s Cuban Revolution, starting with the “26th of July Movement” in 1953. While countless factors shape any revolution, comparing Cade and Castro shines a fascinating light on two crucial elements: strong leadership and the cohesion of the movement (what we might call a “healthy mob”).

The Crucial Role of Leadership: Jack Cade vs. Fidel Castro

A revolution often hinges on its leader. Jack Cade, despite tapping into genuine peasant grievances, proves fatally flawed.

• Self-Aggrandizement vs. Sacrifice: One of Cade’s first acts is a moment of pure ego – he unilaterally knights himself before facing Sir Humphrey Stafford (Act 4, Scene 2). Contrast this with accounts of Fidel Castro, who reportedly convinced fellow revolutionaries to forgo basic comforts like food and cigarettes. They pooled money for essential rifles and bullets. The focus was on the cause, not personal glory.
• Cowardice vs. Commitment: When the tide turns against Cade’s rebellion, his leadership crumbles. He loses the crowd’s support and flees, ultimately starving alone. Castro, conversely, personally led the initial, risky assault on the Moncada Barracks. Though captured, imprisoned, and later exiled, he didn’t give up. He regrouped in Mexico and returned to continue the fight until Batista was overthrown. Cade abandons his followers and the cause, lamenting:

“Was ever feather so lightly blown to and fro as this multitude?  The name of Henry the Fifth hales them to an hundred mischiefs’ and makes them leave me desolate.  I see them lay their heads together to surprise me. My sword make way for me, for here is no staying” (Act 4, Scene 8)

Ironically, Cade himself is the feather, easily swayed and quick to flee. He had popular support rooted in dissatisfaction with the monarchy, but his leadership failed to harness it. He should have rallied his forces, reminding them of their goals (like land and education reform), but instead chose self-preservation. Castro, even after setbacks, consistently appealed to the revolutionary will of the people.

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Beyond the Leader: The Power of the “Healthy Mob”

Leadership is vital, but a revolution is only as strong as its followers. The mindset and unity of the “mob” itself are critical.

• Cynicism vs. Commitment: In Henry VI, Part 2, rebels like Dick the Butcher and Smith follow Cade, but Shakespeare subtly reveals their doubts. As scholar Craig Bernthal notes, they are “sophisticated about Cade’s pretensions [and] mock him through heavy-sided asides.” Dick the Butcher famously cries, “The first thing we do, let’s kill all the lawyers!” (Act 4, Scene 2). While this taps into real frustrations about the legal system oppressing the poor, it’s impulsive and lacks strategic depth. These rebels articulate “legitimate abuses,” but their methods are chaotic. Their belief in Cade is shaky, leading the revolt to crumble internally.
• Shared Cause vs. Disarray: Contrast this with accounts from the Cuban Revolution, such as those involving Haydee Santamaria, a key figure from the movement’s inception. She describes a spirit of shared purpose and sacrifice – revolutionaries sharing scarce food because they understood the necessity of teamwork for the ’cause’. The Cubans launching the initial assaults were reportedly well-informed about their duties. They looked out for one another.

This highlights the need for a “healthy mob”— a group united by a clear understanding of their goals, belief in their path, and a sense of mutual support. Cade’s followers lacked this internal cohesion.

Fighting Oppression: Shared Goals, Divergent Tactics

Both movements fought against systems perceived as unjust.

• The Power of Literacy: Cade’s rebellion targeted the way literacy and legal records were used by the aristocracy to maintain power over the illiterate commoners. As scholar Geraldo Sousa points out, Shakespeare explores the deep connection between writing, history, and power. The inability to read legal documents kept the poor subservient. Cade’s attack on literacy, however, becomes barbaric – murdering clerks simply for being literate.
• Land Reform: Both Cade’s followers and Castro’s revolutionaries shared a desire for land reform, challenging the concentration of property and power in the hands of a privileged few. Castro eloquently defended the people’s right to revolt against oppression during his trial after the Moncada attack.

However, the methods employed reveal a stark difference, reflecting the health of each movement.

• Carnival of Cruelty vs. Strategic Action: Cade’s rebellion descends into what Bernthal calls a “carnival” of violence. Killing Emmanuel, the Clerk of Chatham, simply because he can read and write, or executing Lord Say partly because he established a grammar school (Act 4, Scene 7), are acts of counterproductive brutality. Cade even executes one of his own followers for not using his self-proclaimed title. He mirrors the very tyranny he claims to fight (Act 4, Scene 6). This bloodthirsty frenzy alienates potential allies and undermines the legitimacy of their cause.
• Disciplined Force: Castro, according to accounts like Santamaria’s, instructed his fighters not to kill needlessly. He reportedly allowed those unwilling to participate in the initial attack to leave without being branded traitors. Castro understood that readiness and commitment couldn’t be forced. This strategic discipline and respect for individuals helped maintain internal cohesion and broader support, crucial for the long fight ahead.

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Why Leadership and Unity Matter

Comparing Shakespeare’s fictional Jack Cade with the historical Fidel Castro offers timeless insights into the dynamics of revolution. Cade’s revolt failed not just because the monarchy was strong, but because of fatal flaws within the movement itself:

1. Weak, Self-Serving Leadership: Cade lacked the vision, commitment, and strategic thinking required.
2. An “Unhealthy Mob”: Cade’s followers, while having legitimate grievances, lacked unity, discipline, and a clear, constructive path forward. The rebellion descended into chaotic violence.

Castro’s success, conversely, demonstrates the power of persistent, strategic leadership. It was coupled with a movement bound by shared ideology, discipline, and mutual support.

Shakespeare masterfully captured how easily noble causes can be corrupted by flawed leadership and mob mentality. Henry VI, Part 2 remains a powerful cautionary tale about the difficult ingredients required not just to start a fire. It also shows what is necessary to successfully channel its heat towards meaningful change.

What do you think? What other literary or historical examples show the importance of leadership and popular unity in times of upheaval? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

“The man who conforms by obeying unjust laws and permits anybody to trample the country in which he was born, the man who so mistreats his county, is not an honorable man” – Fidel Castro

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