Galgo, Renalyn B.

BSED II (MWF, 1-2PM)

Analysis of a Drama

Richard II

A.
1. The playwright’s name, nationality and dates.
William Shakespeare- an English man, a poet and playwright – Shakespeare is
widely considered to be the greatest writer in the English language. He wrote 38
plays and 154 sonnets believed to have been written in approximately 1595. He
was born on April 1564 and died on April 23, 1616.
2. The title of the play and the date of its first performance.
The Life and Death of King Richard the Second, commonly called Richard II. It
is based on the life of King Richard II of England (ruled 1377–1399). William
Shakespeare's play Richard II was first performed in 1595 by the Lord
Chamberlain's Men, in the mid 1590s, became the favored performers at the court
of Elizabeth I.
3. The central characters with a brief description that includes leading traits.
King Richard II, The King of England when the play begins, Richard is a young
man who has not matured much since his adolescence. Stately and poetic, he
enjoys the trappings of kingship and has an extraordinary flair for poetic
language. He is overthrown by his cousin, Henry Bolingbroke, and eventually
assassinated in the remote castle of Pomfret.
Henry Bolingbroke Duke of Herford , King Richard's cousin and the son of
Richard's uncle, John of Gaunt. He is less poetic but far more pragmatic and
capable than his cousin. He is eventually crowned King Henry IV.
John of Gaunt Duke of Lancaster - Called either "Gaunt" or "Lancaster." An
important nobleman, John of Gaunt is Richard's uncle and the father of Richard's
banished cousin Bolingbroke, who eventually usurps the throne.
Edmund of Langley Duke of York - "York." Richard's uncle, and a brother of
Gaunt. He is made Lord Governor of England by King Richard while he is away
at war, but is eventually convinced by Bolingbroke to defect and join his rebel
army. A traditionalist who is loyally devoted to the crown, he is deeply upset by
any kind of treason against the crown.
Thomas Mowbray Duke of Norfolk - Mowbray, sometimes called "Norfolk,"
is a nobleman whom Henry Bolingbroke accuses, early in the play, of treason
against the state and of complicity in the earlier death of Thomas. Mowbray is
banished at the same time as Bolingbroke and dies in exile.
Queen Isabel - King Richard's wife. She was born into the French royal family
and flees to France when Richard is deposed.
4. Other characters also described.
Duke of Surrey, an English nobleman who swears that Fitzwater is lying about
what Aumerle said concerning the Duke of Gloucester’s death. He is an older
man.
Duke of Aumerle, son of the Duke of York- towards the end of the play, he joins
an attempt to kill Henry, but the plot is discovered and Aumerle begs for and is
ultimately granted forgiveness.
Lord Berkeley, an English nobleman.
John Bushy, friend of Richard II who is ultimately executed by Henry and his
men.
John Bagot, afriend of Richard who goes to Ireland to warn the king of Henry’s
return to England.
Lord Ross, an English nobleman who joins forces with Henry.
Lord Willoughby, an English nobleman who sides with Henry.
Lord Fitzwater, an English nobleman.
Bishop of Carlisle, a Bishop who is loyal to Richard and unafraid to speak his
mind to Henry. Carlisle is ultimately pardoned for showing “sparks of honor.”
Abbot of Westminster, an abbot who believes Henry’s claim to the throne is
illegitimate and plots an attempt to kill the new king.
Lord Marshal, an officer in the English court.
Sir Stephen Scroop, a supporter of Richard.
Sir Pierce of Exton, a supporter of Henry who believes he has been instructed to
kill Richard, and does so.
Duchess of York, the wife of the Duke of York and Aumerle’s mother; she begs
Henry to forgive her son after the assassination plot is revealed.
Duke of Gloucester, He does not appear in the play. The Duke of Gloucester is
another son of Edward III; Richard was involved with his murder.
5. The scene or scenes of and if the play does not take place in the present the time of
action.
The action in the play takes place in England and Wales, beginning in 1398.

Act 1, Scene 1: London. KING RICHARD II's palace.

Act 1, Scene 2: The DUKE OF LANCASTER'S palace.
Act 1, Scene 3: The lists at Coventry.
Act 1, Scene 4: The court.
Act 2, Scene 1: Ely House.
Act 2, Scene 2: The palace.
Act 2, Scene 3: Wilds in Gloucestershire.
Act 2, Scene 4: A camp in Wales.
Act 3, Scene 1: Bristol. Before the castle.
Act 3, Scene 2: The coast of Wales. A castle in view.
Act 3, Scene 3: Wales. Before Flint castle.
Act 3, Scene 4: LANGLEY. The DUKE OF YORK's garden.
Act 4, Scene 1: Westminster Hall.
 Act 5, Scene 1: London. A street leading to the Tower.
Act 5, Scene 2: The DUKE OF YORK's palace.
Act 5, Scene 3: A royal palace.
Act 5, Scene 4: The same.
Act 5, Scene 5: Pomfret castle.
Act 5, Scene 6: Windsor castle.

6. The major dramatic question.

The major dramatic question here, is the portrayal of Justice and the right to
decide fate in this play. Shakespeare is tackling some pretty subversive ideas and
is really challenging what Justice is in medieval England, and what Kingship
really entails.

In the opening to the play, we see a variation on how justice plays out in King
Richard the Second’s England. Henry Bolingbroke and Mowbray are having a bit
of a silent suspicions, they both seem to think that the other one is a traitor and is
guilty of high treason. So obviously, they decide to solve this quarrel by killing
each other with swords. The implication here, is that the Trial by Combat
Mowbray and Bolingbroke will have is to be solved by divine intervention, if one
of the men kills the other, then his claim must be the true one.

In the second scene of Act I, we see Gaunt meeting with the deceased uncle’s
(that Mowbray is accused of killing) widow to tell her that he suspects Richard
had something to do with her husband’s death. She asks for him to seek some sort
of vengeance on Richard and he tells her:

“God’s is the quarrel; for God’s substitute,

His deputy anointed in His sight,
Hath caused his death: the which if wrongfully,
Let heaven revenge; for I may never lift
An angry arm against His minister.” (1.2 37-41)

Essentially, Gaunt says that “Richard is basically God’s right hand man, can’t
really do much about that. You’ll have to ask God to help you.” This of course, is
pretty unfulfilling to a widow, and she says that she is so grief struck that she will
die. Gaunt is refusing to challenge Richard on his acts, by virtue that Richard is
God’s main dude on earth.

The point here is, the Justice system in this world is deeply religious in nature,
either offering up the arbitration to God, or his direct vassal, the King. In both
cases we see, Richard muddles everything up by being a pretty terrible king, and
denies justice to those who seek it. King Richard’s actual connection to God, and
thus his power, is tenuous at best, relying on centuries of tradition and inheritance
law and not any kind of fathomable power. Richard is a really terrible ruler. His
vassals hate him, he pretty obviously murdered his uncle, the army does not
 support him, and he surrounds himself with Yes-men who tell him what he wants
to hear.

There is no justice in this world but the justice you create. If the King is not really
an exact hand of God, how exactly can you trust his decisions? What then, makes
his power legitimate? For Richard, his power is legitimate only by his martial
power, as he gives up his power to Bolingbroke based on the fact that his claim is
unable to be defended by any army. If the King was truly a hand of God, wouldn’t
God protect his kingship? Who is really ruling England? Certainly, Richard’s
surrounding of like-minded individuals makes his rule problematic, as Richard
should theoretically be able to rule with only the word of God in his ear.

For Shakespeare to come to the realization that power is simply a matter of

holding on to it, and to reveal it while living under a monarchy is insane. Calling
the royal authority (and royalty itself) into question is a very large risk and
immediately poses the threat of a rebellion.

7. A brief summary of the plays, principal events in the way playwright presents them.

Act 1, Scene 1 Setting: A stateroom at Windsor Castle

The play begins with a conference between King Richard and his uncle, John of Gaunt. They are
preparing to receive Thomas Mowbray, Duke of Norfolk, and Henry Bolingbroke, Duke of
Hereford and John of Gaunt's son, to settle a heated dispute between the two men. When
Mowbray and Bolingbroke arrive they immediately have harsh words to say about each other,
and Bolingbroke throws down his gage. Richard demands to know what the quarrel is between
the two. Bolingbroke claims that Mowbray misused a group of soldiers he was given command
of, and more importantly, played a part in the murder of Thomas of Woodstock, Duke of
Gloucester and uncle to the king and Bolingbroke. Mowbray defends himself by saying he had
the king's permission to use the troops as he saw fit and that he did not murder Gloucester,
though he admits he neglected his duty in some way. He then admits he did attempt to murder
John of Gaunt at one point, but duly confessed his sins, before throwing down his gage. Richard
attempts to make peace between the two men, but both say their honor is on the line. In the end,
the king is forced to set a date for the two to compete in a duel.

Act 1, Scene 2 Setting: John of Gaunt's house

John of Gaunt speaks with the Duchess of Gloucester (the widow of Thomas of Woodstock)
about her husband's murder. Gaunt tells the duchess that God must settle the wrong that was
done to her husband. The duchess reprimands Gaunt for his part in the plot and says he now must
avenge his fallen brother. John continues to reply that his hands are tied and that she should leave
the situation in the hands of God. The duchess seems content with this and wishes Gaunt's son a
victory against Mowbray. As Gaunt departs, the duchess asks him to commend her to his brother
Edmund, Duke of York.
 Act 1, Scene 3 Setting: The lists at Coventry

The scene begins with the entrance of the king and his train, followed shortly after by Mowbray
and Bolingbroke, the two combatants. The two men introduce themselves, state their causes at
length and prepare to duel to the death. At the last second, the king throws down his warder in
order to stop the duel. Instead of having the men fight to the death, Richard decides it would be
better to banish them. Bolingbroke is banished for a period of ten years, Mowbray for life.
Although saddened, both men accept their respective fates. Bolingbroke gives Mowbray one
final chance to confess his sins before departing, which he refuses. After Mowbray's departure,
Richard, feeling sympathy for his aged uncle, reduces Bolingbroke's exile to six years. John of
Gaunt is thankful for the reduction but says he will still most likely be dead by the time his son
returns. Richard claims it was his idea to exile the men, and Gaunt says he wishes he would have
asked him as a father, not a politician. The king bids his cousin farewell and departs.
Bolingbroke delivers only sad laments as goodbyes to his friends, and his father makes an
attempt to cheer him up by telling him that his exile will be over in no time. Finally, Bolingbroke
sadly bids farewell to England.

Act 1, Scene 4 Setting: King Richard's court

The king and his cousin, the Duke of Aumerle, discuss Bolingbroke's departure from England
and how popular he had become with the common people. Green then announces that the
rebellions in Ireland must be given attention. Richard says he will go in person to help put down
the rebellion but does not know exactly where the money to fund the journey will come from.
The solution comes when Bushy enters and announces that John of Gaunt is sick and wishes to
see the king. Richard is immediately excited at hearing this news because he now knows where
the money for the Irish expedition will come from: John of Gaunt's coffers.

Act 2, Scene 1 Setting: Ely House

A sickly John of Gaunt speaks with his brother, the Duke of York, about Richard's rash and
irresponsible way of governing the country and wonders if he will finally take his advice while
he is on his deathbed. York claims that Richard is led by a combination of his youth and the
flatterers that constantly surround him, and therefore, will take no heed to any wise counsel. The
king and his train arrive and are greeted strangely by a seemingly delirious John of Gaunt. When
asked why he was summoned, John harshly reprimands Richard for his poor governing of
England, accusing him of being led by flatterers and for the death of Gloucester, among other
accusations. Richard is, of course, enraged by his uncle's comments, and Gaunt is led away by
his attendants. Shortly after, the Earl of Northumberland enters and brings news that John of
Gaunt has died. Richard immediately brushes off the news and announces he will seize all of his
uncle's assets in order to fund the war in Ireland. York is beside himself when he hears this
announcement and tells Richard his father would never have approved of an action such as this
and that, if he proceeds to take away Bolingbroke's rightful inheritance, he will lose the love of
many people. Richard more or less ignores his uncle's advice and announces he shall indeed
seize Gaunt's lands and depart for Ireland the following day, leaving York in control of
governing England. After the king's departure, Northumberland, Willoughby and Ross discuss
all the horrible things Richard has done as king of England, particularly his poor treatment of
Bolingbroke. At the scene's end Northumberland reveals that Bolingbroke and a group of his
allies are planning to return to England after the king departs for Ireland and welcomes the other
lords to join him, which they do.

Act 2, Scene 2 Setting: Windsor Castle

Bushy and Queen Isabella speak about the queen's melancholy behavior as a result of Richard
being away in Ireland when Green enters with news that Bolingbroke has landed at Ravenspurgh
and that many of the lords, including Northumberland and his son, have joined forces with him.
The bad news continues when Green tells how the Earl of Worcester (Northumberland's brother)
has broken his staff of office, resigned his stewardship and joined forces with the rebels. A
frantic York enters and does not know how he will be able to, especially at his age, handle the
civil war that has just erupted. He asks a serving man to go to the Duchess of Gloucester to
borrow a thousand pounds, just to be told that the Duchess had recently passed away. This upsets
York even more, and he frantically gives orders to muster an army to defend against the rebels
before departing. Bushy, Bagot and Green remain to lament their declining fortunes. They are
concerned they may be persecuted by the commons for their loyalty to Richard. Bagot says he
will go to Ireland to warn the king of the danger he will soon face, while Bushy and Green go
into hiding.

Act 2, Scene 3 Setting: An open place in Gloucestershire

Bolingbroke and Northumberland exchange kind words, as Northumberland's son Harry Percy
arrives and informs them of Worcester breaking his staff. Percy and Bolingbroke, who had never
met before, exchange kind words, and Bolingbroke says he will not forget his friends. Young
Percy then informs the men that they are right before Berkeley Castle, before being joined by
Lord Berkeley himself, who would like to know, on behalf of York, why these men join in arms
and disrupt the peace. York arrives in person and chastises Bolingbroke for returning from exile
unlawfully. Bolingbroke than claims, and the other lords support him, that he only wishes to
retrieve what is rightfully his: the dukedom of Lancaster and the rest of the inheritance from his
father. York says he attempted to convince Richard not to confiscate Gaunt's lands but to no
avail. It does not, however, justify rebellion on their parts. Finally, York admits that he and his
forces are no match for the rebels, and therefore, he will remain neutral in the situation, though
he makes it clear he would punish them all if he was able to. He then offers Bolingbroke and the
others shelter in the castle. Bolingbroke says they must first go to Bristol Castle where Bushy,
Bagot and the others are so they may be justly punished.

Act 2, Scene 4 Setting: A military camp in Wales

The Earl of Salisbury attempts to convince a Welsh captain (very possibly Owen Glendower) to
hold his troops for several more days until the king returns. The Welshman replies that he heard
rumors of Richard's death, and they have yet to hear a reply from him. He continues by saying
that certain supernatural signs have proven the king's death; therefore, he will dismiss his troops.

Act 3, Scene 1 Setting: Before Bristol Castle

Bolingbroke has Bushy and Green as prisoners and gives them several reasons that they are
about to be executed: They have misled the king and created a rift between him and his queen;
They caused the king to think badly on him; and they desecrated the lands that are rightfully his
after his exile. The two men are then led to their deaths. Bolingroke then asks York to commend
him to the queen, who is staying at York's house. York says he has already done so, and
Bolingbroke ends the scene by saying they must now do battle with Glendower and the Welsh.

Act 3, Scene 2 Setting: In front of Barkloughly Castle on the coast of Wales

The Duke of Aumerle, the Bishop of Carlisle and others greet Richard, who is happy to be home
despite the rebellions that are occurring. The king laments sadly on his current state, while the
others attempt to comfort him. Salisbury arrives with news that the Welshmen, thinking Richard
dead, have joined forces with Bolingbroke, which saddens Richard even more. Lord Scroop
arrives, and the king immediately tells him that he will yield power to Bolingbroke if necessary.
Scroop then informs him that Bushy, Green and many of his other followers have been executed
and that his uncle York has joined forces with Bolingbroke. All throughout, Richard continues to
sadly lament his increasingly perilous situation while the others try and comfort him. The group
then departs for Flint Castle.

Act 3, Scene 3 Setting: In front of Flint Castle in Wales

Bolingbroke, Northumberland and York are discussing certain subjects involving Richard when
Percy arrives and informs the men that the king is inside the very castle they stand before.
Bolingbroke asks Northumberland to deliver a message to the king, informing him that he only
wishes to retrieve his father's lands and titles and to have his exile repealed. If the king agrees to
grant him these requests, he will swear allegiance to him. If not, he will declare war on him.
Richard and his followers then appear upon the castle walls. The king chastises Bolingbroke for
his traitorous behavior, while Northumberland simply delivers the message that Bolingbroke
asked him to. Richard is then advised by Aumerle to treat Northumberland kindly until he is
better advantaged. When Northumberland returns, Richard sadly laments on how he will most
likely be forced to submit the crown and wonders if Bolingbroke will allow him to live.
Northumberland merely says that Bolingbroke would like to speak with him, and the king
descends. Bolingbroke greets Richard with great respect and still insists he has only come for
what is rightfully his. Richard, though obviously upset, agrees to resign power to Bolingbroke.

Act 3, Scene 4 Setting: The Duke of York's garden

Queen Isabella talks sadly with one of her ladies on the subject of her husband. The gardener and
his men enter, and the women step aside to listen to them speak. The gardener talks of the
executions of Bushy and Green and how the king is now in the captivity of Bolingbroke and
shall soon be deposed. Isabella is upset to hear these words and reprimands the gardener, who
defends himself by saying he is unhappy to deliver the news but that it remains true. The queen,
unhappy that she is the last to know of these events sets off to London to be with her husband,
while the gardener laments for her.

Act 4, Scene 1 Setting: Westminster Hall

The scene begins with Bolingbroke questioning the prisoner Bagot on the death of his uncle
Gloucester. Bagot accuses Aumerle of the murder and also says he wished Bolingbroke dead. An
enraged Aumerle throws down his gage at Bagot, but Bolingbroke orders him not to pick it up.
After hearing the accusations against him, Fitzwater, Percy and others throw down their gages at
Aumerle, who welcomes all challenges. The Earl of Surrey then accuses Fitzwater of lying about
what he knows of Gloucester's death. Fitzwater, in turn, informs all that Aumerle sent two men
to kill the banished Duke of Norfolk. Bolingbroke says they will recall Norfolk from banishment,
and he will explain the accusations against Aumerle. The Bishop of Carlisle then announces that
Norfolk has died in Venice. Bolingbroke is saddened by the death of his former foe.

York enters and announces that Richard has resigned all regal power and named Bolingbroke his
heir. Bolingbroke accepts the throne but is rebuked by Carlisle who delivers a scathing prophesy,
claiming that many Englishmen will ultimately die if Henry proceeds with this coup.
Northumberland then orders Carlisle to be arrested for treason. York goes to fetch Richard so he
may publicly resign, and Bolingbroke tells those who have been accused to prepare for their
future trials. Richard enters sadly and asks why he was summoned. York informs him that he
must publicly resign. Richard is still somewhat reluctant to give up the crown but ultimately,
though not without much lamenting, gives it to Bolingbroke. He is then pestered by
Northumberland to read over a list of accusations from the common people against him. Richard
continuously puts off the list and asks for a mirror. Bolingbroke orders the mirror to be brought
and tells Northumberland to stop his attempts to force Richard to read the document. The mirror
is brought, and Richard, after yet another sad lament, smashes it. He then asks Bolingbroke for
leave to go on his way, but Bolingbroke, who originally said he would grant Richard's request,
orders him to be brought to the Tower of London. The new king then sets his coronation date for
the following Wednesday and departs. The Abbot of Westminster, Carlisle and Aumerle remain
behind and discuss a plan of action, and the abbot says he will lay down a plot to solve the issue
at hand.

Act 5, Scene 1 Setting: A London street leading to the tower

Queen Isabella awaits the passing of her husband on the streets of London. When Richard passes
the two share an intimate scene, and Richard orders Isabella to go back home to France.
Northumberland enters and says Richard is to be transferred to Pomfret, Isabella to France.
Richard prophesizes that Northumberland's deceitful nature shall soon turn on Bolingbroke, the
man he helped to power. Northumberland dismisses the claim and forces the two to part. Richard
and Isabella sadly say their goodbyes and part from one another forever.

Act 5, Scene 2 Setting: Duke of York's house

York and his wife are discussing the processions of Richard and the new King Henry IV through
the streets of London and how Henry was treated so kindly, Richard so poorly, when Aumerle
arrives and is immediately treated badly by his father because of his allegiance to Richard. York
then sees a paper hung around his son's neck and demands to see it. Aumerle attempts to resist,
but York reads the letter and immediately declares his son a traitor and begins to set off towards
the king. The duchess demands to know why her husband is making such a rash decision, and
York tells her that he and several others were plotting to kill the king at Oxford. Despite the
duchess's continued pleading, York sets out to reveal this plot to the king. The duchess then tells
her son to get to the king before York does and confess and ask for mercy. She says she will join
him shortly.

Act 5, Scene 3 Setting: Windsor Castle

The scene begins with a conversation between King Henry and Percy about Henry's son Hal.
Percy informs the king that Hal is patronizing the local taverns, much to Henry's chagrin. Yet,
the king still has confidence in his rebellious son. At this point, Aumerle storms in and asks the
king to pardon him even before he has confessed his crime, which Henry grants him. York
arrives and shows Henry the letter Aumerle was hiding, to which Henry angrily reacts. After
more harsh words are exchanged between York and Aumerle, the duchess arrives to plead for her
son's life. After several attempts to attain the king's mercy, Henry finally agrees to the duchess's
pleas and pardons Aumerle. However, the others involved in the conspiracy will be punished
severely.

Act 5, Scene 4 Setting: Windsor Castle

Sir Pierce Exton speaks with one of his servants about a comment made by the king. Supposedly,
the king asked the question: "Have I no friend will rid me of this living fear?" Exton feels the
king was looking at him when he said these words and assumes the meaning behind them is to
murder Richard. Therefore, he will set out to do so.

Act 5, Scene 5 Setting: A prison at Pomfret Castle

Richard delivers a lengthy soliloquy, when a former groom from his stable arrives. The groom
tells of how Bolingbroke has been riding on Barbary, a favorite horse of Richard's. This news
seems to be the last straw for Richard. At this point, the keeper enters, dismisses the groom and
serves Richard his meal. After Richard asks the keeper to taste the food for him, he refuses and
claims Exton, under orders from the king, ordered him not to do so. Richard snaps and beats the
keeper, who then cries for help. Exton and his servants rush in and attack Richard. Richard
manages to kill two of his attackers before being fatally struck by Exton. The former king
delivers a departing speech and dies. Exton is immediately remorseful for his crime but says he
will inform the king anyway.

Act 5, Scene 6 Setting: Windsor Castle

King Henry announces that the rebels have burned the town of Cirencester. Northumberland and
Fitzwater enter separately and announce the sending of certain heads of the rebels to London and
Oxford respectively. Percy then enters and tells of the death of the Abbot of Westminster and
hands over Carlisle to the king. The king, in turn, pardons Carlisle and forces him to live a quiet
life. Finally, Exton enters and presents the body of Richard to the king. Henry is unhappy with
the results of his words (and the fact that he wished Richard dead) and vows to take a voyage to
the Holy Land in order to purge himself of his sins.

8. The tone of the play, playwright apparent feelings.

Richard II is a stage play that is both a history and a tragedy. It depicts the
downfall of the title character, or protagonist, partly because of flaws in his
character. He is a weak, unwise, and unduly harsh ruler. The tone is bitter,
contentious, and deadly serious as Richard vies for power with his political
enemies, who also vie with each other.

9. The language spoken in the play.

Speech in this play, especially from the mouth of rulers, is power. Richard decrees
laws and binding decisions simply by speaking them; whatever he says is done.
Henry expresses the power of Richard’s speech when contemplating his own
The language spoken in play is Old English.

“What I speak
My body shall make good upon this earth
Or my divine soul answer it in heaven.
Thou art a traitor and a miscreant.”

“Wrath-kindled gentlemen, be ruled by me.

Let's purge this choler without letting blood.
This we prescribe, though no physician.
Deep malice makes too deep incision.
Forget, forgive; conclude and be agreed,
Our doctors say this is no month to bleed.—
Good uncle, let this end where it begun;
We'll calm the Duke of Norfolk, you your son.”
10. Sum up the central theme.

Shakespeare is interested in royal power throughout his history plays. In Richard

II, he dramatizes two very different attitudes about kingship. According to
Richard II and his followers, kings should inherit the crown from their fathers,
and they have a right to rule because they are God's chosen representatives on
earth. According to Henry Bolingbroke and his followers, a king's right to rule is
a privilege granted to him by his subjects, which means the right to rule depends
on whether or not a guy is actually a good leader.
Another, theme, Families are complicated, even when the people involved aren't
kings and dukes. In this play, several characters are trying to figure out how to act
when cousins, sons, and fathers end up politically opposed. It doesn't help that the
two guys fighting over the crown, Henry Bolingbroke and Richard, are cousins,
both descended from Edward III, who everyone seems to think was a great king.
Even though Richard is politically the legal heir to the throne (mostly because he
inherited the crown from his father), Henry Bolingbroke seems to have more in
common with his grandfather - and more of the qualities that make for a good
ruler.

The play also asks us to think about whether family ties should be stronger or
more important than political alliances. The women in the play choose family
loyalty every time, while most of the men don't. Family is obviously a powerful
category with major political consequences.

11. Any symbols you notice.

The crown is a symbol of the throne, the king, and the powers of the king. When
Henry gathers troops to support him, for example, Richard says that they are
lifting steel against the crown, which represents the king himself and his claim to
England. Most simply, the crown indicates who is king, and in the climax of the
play, Richard physically hands the crown to Henry, both symbolizing and
enacting the change in power.
Blood, In Richard II, blood symbolizes family and lineage, royalty and the divine
right of kings, honor and obligation, violence and guilt, and humanity itself.
The broken mirror represents Richard's broken sense of self, which he only too
late sees was only an image of reality, not reality itself. It is only after he loses the
kingship that he realizes outward appearance is no substitute for inner substance.

12. A concise evaluation of the play. What do you think of it?

As a king, Richard is supposedly divine and all powerful; as a man, he is an

ordinary mortal and prey to his own weaknesses. The private tragedy of the play,
for Richard, is in his being forced to face this duality. Shakespeare demonstrates
that Richard is perhaps temperamentally not fit for the role which history would
have him play. His decisions as a monarch seem irrational and arbitrary; he won't
 listen to the sane advice of old Gaunt, and he insensitively seizes wealth
belonging to his noblemen.
I think this play is definitely questions the idea that kings are appointed by God.
Richard came into the throne as a little boy, ruled terribly, stole his relative’s
rightful lands, and was usurped by said relative. The part where Bolingbroke
thanks Richard for his banishment—I think Bolingbroke was just being a suck up
and trying to look really righteous in front of everyone at the duel, a facade he
worked to uphold throughout his reclaiming of his lands and seizing the crown. I
think it’s a little bit ironic that he and Mowbray are vehemently defending
themselves against the charge of treason when not long after, Bolingbroke comes
after the Kingship with an army (technically an act of treason, but Bolingbroke
probably wouldn’t have classified it as such, since Richard had wronged him). All
the ideals surrounding kings and their nobles are skewed in this play, which
makes reading it more fun and surprising because if Richard is the deputy of God
then why does he have advisors butting into the affairs of the nation? Shakespeare
highlights the problematic nature of the monarchy in this play, using a clearly
unjust character to do so. I think the extremity of Richard’s corruption makes it
easier for Shakespeare to bring this play to the public eye in such a conservative
society.

B.

1. Author and title; date of publication

William Shakespeare, The Life and Death of King Richard the Second, commonly
called Richard I; was first performed in 1595 by the Lord Chamberlain's Men, in
the mid 1590s, became the favoured performers at the court of Elizabeth I.

2. Name of the central characters and the characters important traits.

King Richard II, King of England, stately and poetic, he enjoys the trappings of
kingship and has an extraordinary flair for poetic language.
Henry Bolingbroke Duke of Herford, Richard's cousin and the son of Richard's
uncle, John of Gaunt.
John of Gaunt Duke of Lancaster, a nobleman, John of Gaunt is Richard's uncle
and the father of Richard's banished cousin Bolingbroke, who eventually usurps
the throne.
Edmund of Langley Duke of York, Lord Governor of England by King Richard
while he is away at war, but is eventually convinced by Bolingbroke to defect and
join his rebel army. A traditionalist who is loyally devoted to the crown, he is
deeply upset by any kind of treason against the crown.
Thomas Mowbray Duke of Norfolk, a nobleman whom Henry Bolingbroke
accuses, early in the play, of treason against the state and of complicity in the
earlier death of Thomas, Duke of Gloucester.
Queen Isabel, King Richard's wife. She was born into the French royal family
and flees to France when Richard is deposed.
3. Other important characters

Duke of Surrey, an English nobleman who swears that Fitzwater is lying about
what Aumerle said concerning the Duke of Gloucester’s death. He is an older
man.
Duke of Aumerle, the son of the Duke of York. Towards the end of the play, he
joins an attempt to kill Henry, but the plot is discovered and Aumerle begs for and
is ultimately granted forgiveness.
Lord Berkeley, an English nobleman.
John Bushy, friend of Richard II who is ultimately executed by Henry and his
men.
John Bagot, afriend of Richard who goes to Ireland to warn the king of Henry’s
return to England.
Earl of Northumberland, an English nobleman who quickly sides with Henry,
having been dissatisfied with Richard’s reign prior to Henry’s return to England.
Lord Ross, an English nobleman who joins forces with Henry.
Lord Willoughby, an English nobleman who sides with Henry.
Lord Fitzwater, an English nobleman.
Bishop of Carlisle, a Bishop who is loyal to Richard and unafraid to speak his
mind to Henry. Carlisle is ultimately pardoned for showing “sparks of honor.”
Sir Pierce of Exton, a supporter of Henry who believes he has been instructed to
kill Richard, and does so.
Duchess of York, the wife of the Duke of York and Aumerle’s mother; she begs
Henry to forgive her son after the assassination plot is revealed.
Duke of Gloucester, He does not appear in the play. The Duke of Gloucester is
another son of Edward III; Richard was involved with his murder.

Edward III, he does not appear in the play. Edward III is Richard’s grandfather
and the previous king of England.

4. Setting, Place and time.

The action in the play takes place in England and Wales, beginning in 1398.
Locales include London, Coventry the wilds of Gloucestershire and Bristol.

5. Summary of Plot

Richard II, written around 1595, is the first play in Shakespeare's second "history
tetralogy," a series of four plays that chronicles the rise of the house of Lancaster
to the British throne. (Its sequel plays are Henry IV, Parts 1 & 2, and Henry V.)
Richard II, set around the year 1398, traces the fall from power of the last king of
the house of Plantagenet, Richard II, and his replacement by the first Lancaster
king, Henry IV (Henry Bolingbroke). Richard II, who ascended to the throne as a
young man, is a regal and stately figure, but he is wasteful in his spending habits,
unwise in his choice of counselors, and detached from his country and its
 common people. He spends too much of his time pursuing the latest Italian
fashions, spending money on his close friends, and raising taxes to fund his pet
wars in Ireland and elsewhere. When he begins to "rent out" parcels of English
land to certain wealthy noblemen in order to raise funds for one of his wars, and
seizes the lands and money of a recently deceased and much respected uncle to
help fill his coffers, both the commoners and the king's noblemen decide that
Richard has gone too far.

Richard has a cousin, named Henry Bolingbroke, who is a great favorite among
the English commoners. Early in the play, Richard exiles him from England for
six years due to an unresolved dispute over an earlier political murder. The dead
uncle whose lands Richard seizes was the father of Bolingbroke; when
Bolingbroke learns that Richard has stolen what should have been his inheritance,
it is the straw that breaks the camel's back. When Richard unwisely departs to
pursue a war in Ireland, Bolingbroke assembles an army and invades the north
coast of England in his absence. The commoners, fond of Bolingbroke and angry
at Richard's mismanagement of the country, welcome his invasion and join his
forces. One by one, Richard's allies in the nobility desert him and defect to
Bolingbroke's side as Bolingbroke marches through England. By the time Richard
returns from Ireland, he has already lost his grasp on his country.

There is never an actual battle; instead, Bolingbroke peacefully takes Richard

prisoner in Wales and brings him back to London, where Bolingbroke is crowned
King Henry IV. Richard is imprisoned in the remote castle of Pomfret in the north
of England, where he is left to ruminate upon his downfall. There, an assassin,
who both is and is not acting upon King Henry's ambivalent wishes for Richard's
expedient death, murders the former king. King Henry hypocritically repudiates
the murderer and vows to journey to Jerusalem to cleanse himself of his part in
Richard's death. As the play concludes, we see that the reign of the new King
Henry IV has started off inauspiciously.

6. Name of Conflict

It’s a political conflict, because the play is between King Richard and Henry
Bolingbroke. Richard, an unwise and unpopular ruler, believes his authority
comes from God. Therefore, he says, he has a divine right to rule; no one may
usurp his authority.

7. Style
 Shakespeare, Richard II is written entirely in verse, and this is one of only four
plays of his which are, the others being King John and the first and third parts of
Henry VI. It thus contains no prose. There are also great differences in the use of
language amongst the characters.

8. Central Events

Act 1, Scenes 1-4

The play begins with a conference between King Richard and his uncle, John of Gaunt. They are
preparing to receive Thomas Mowbray, Duke of Norfolk, and Henry Bolingbroke, Duke of
Hereford and John of Gaunt's son, to settle a heated dispute between the two men. When
Mowbray and Bolingbroke arrive they immediately have harsh words to say about each other,
and Bolingbroke throws down his gage. Richard demands to know what the quarrel is between
the two. He then admits he did attempt to murder John of Gaunt at one point, but duly confessed
his sins, before throwing down his gage. Richard attempts to make peace between the two men,
but both say their honor is on the line. In the end, the king is forced to set a date for the two to
compete in a duel.

John of Gaunt speaks with the Duchess of Gloucester (the widow of Thomas of Woodstock)
about her husband's murder. Gaunt tells the duchess that God must settle the wrong that was
done to her husband. The duchess reprimands Gaunt for his part in the plot and says he now must
avenge his fallen brother. John continues to reply that his hands are tied and that she should leave
the situation in the hands of God. The duchess seems content with this and wishes Gaunt's son a
victory against Mowbray. As Gaunt departs, the duchess asks him to commend her to his brother
Edmund, Duke of York.

The scene begins with the entrance of the king and his train, followed shortly after by Mowbray
and Bolingbroke, the two combatants. The two men introduce themselves, state their causes at
length and prepare to duel to the death. At the last second, the king throws down his warder in
order to stop the duel. Instead of having the men fight to the death, Richard decides it would be
better to banish them. Bolingbroke is banished for a period of ten years, Mowbray for life.
Although saddened, both men accept their respective fates. Bolingbroke gives Mowbray one
final chance to confess his sins before departing, which he refuses. After Mowbray's departure,
Richard, feeling sympathy for his aged uncle, reduces Bolingbroke's exile to six years. John of
Gaunt is thankful for the reduction but says he will still most likely be dead by the time his son
returns. Richard claims it was his idea to exile the men, and Gaunt says he wishes he would have
asked him as a father, not a politician. The king bids his cousin farewell and departs.
Bolingbroke delivers only sad laments as goodbyes to his friends, and his father makes an
attempt to cheer him up by telling him that his exile will be over in no time. Finally, Bolingbroke
sadly bids farewell to England.
The king and his cousin, the Duke of Aumerle, discuss Bolingbroke's departure from England
and how popular he had become with the common people. Green then announces that the
rebellions in Ireland must be given attention. Richard says he will go in person to help put down
the rebellion but does not know exactly where the money to fund the journey will come from.
The solution comes when Bushy enters and announces that John of Gaunt is sick and wishes to
see the king. Richard is immediately excited at hearing this news because he now knows where
the money for the Irish expedition will come from: John of Gaunt's coffers.

Act 2, Scene 1-4

A sickly John of Gaunt speaks with his brother, the Duke of York, about Richard's rash and
irresponsible way of governing the country and wonders if he will finally take his advice while
he is on his deathbed. York claims that Richard is led by a combination of his youth and the
flatterers that constantly surround him, and therefore, will take no heed to any wise counsel. The
king and his train arrive and are greeted strangely by a seemingly delirious John of Gaunt. When
asked why he was summoned, John harshly reprimands Richard for his poor governing of
England, accusing him of being led by flatterers and for the death of Gloucester, among other
accusations. Richard is, of course, enraged by his uncle's comments, and Gaunt is led away by
his attendants. Shortly after, the Earl of Northumberland enters and brings news that John of
Gaunt has died. York is beside himself when he hears this announcement and tells Richard his
father would never have approved of an action such as this and that, if he proceeds to take away
Bolingbroke's rightful inheritance, he will lose the love of many people. Richard more or less
ignores his uncle's advice and announces he shall indeed seize Gaunt's lands and depart for
Ireland the following day, leaving York in control of governing England. After the king's
departure, Northumberland, Willoughby and Ross discuss all the horrible things Richard has
done as king of England, particularly his poor treatment of Bolingbroke. At the scene's end
Northumberland reveals that Bolingbroke and a group of his allies are planning to return to
England after the king departs for Ireland and welcomes the other lords to join him, which they
do.

Bushy and Queen Isabella speak about the queen's melancholy behavior as a result of Richard
being away in Ireland when Green enters with news that Bolingbroke has landed at Ravenspurgh
and that many of the lords, including Northumberland and his son, have joined forces with him.
The bad news continues when Green tells how the Earl of Worcester (Northumberland's brother)
has broken his staff of office, resigned his stewardship and joined forces with the rebels. A
frantic York enters and does not know how he will be able to, especially at his age, handle the
civil war that has just erupted.This upsets York even more, and he frantically gives orders to
muster an army to defend against the rebels before departing. Bushy, Bagot and Green remain to
lament their declining fortunes. They are concerned they may be persecuted by the commons for
their loyalty to Richard. Bagot says he will go to Ireland to warn the king of the danger he will
soon face, while Bushy and Green go into hiding.
Bolingbroke and Northumberland exchange kind words. Young Percy then informs the men that
they are right before Berkeley Castle, before being joined by Lord Berkeley himself, who would
like to know, on behalf of York, why these men join in arms and disrupt the peace. York arrives
in person and chastises Bolingbroke for returning from exile unlawfully. Bolingbroke than
claims, and the other lords support him, that he only wishes to retrieve what is rightfully his: the
dukedom of Lancaster and the rest of the inheritance from his father. York says he attempted to
convince Richard not to confiscate Gaunt's lands but to no avail. It does not, however, justify
rebellion on their parts. Finally, York admits that he and his forces are no match for the rebels,
and therefore, he will remain neutral in the situation, though he makes it clear he would punish
them all if he was able to. He then offers Bolingbroke and the others shelter in the castle. The
Earl of Salisbury attempts to convince a Welsh captain (very possibly Owen Glendower) to hold
his troops for several more days until the king returns. The Welshman replies that he heard
rumors of Richard's death, and they have yet to hear a reply from him. He continues by saying
that certain supernatural signs have proven the king's death; therefore, he will dismiss his troops.

Act 3, Scene 1-4

Bolingbroke has Bushy and Green as prisoners and gives them several reasons that they are
about to be executed: They have misled the king and created a rift between him and his queen;
They caused the king to think badly on him; and they desecrated the lands that are rightfully his
after his exile. The two men are then led to their deaths. Bolingroke then asks York to commend
him to the queen, who is staying at York's house. York says he has already done so, and
Bolingbroke ends the scene by saying they must now do battle with Glendower and the Welsh.

The Duke of Aumerle, the Bishop of Carlisle and others greet Richard, who is happy to be home
despite the rebellions that are occurring. The king laments sadly on his current state, while the
others attempt to comfort him. Salisbury arrives with news that the Welshmen, thinking Richard
dead, have joined forces with Bolingbroke, which saddens Richard even more. Lord Scroop
arrives, and the king immediately tells him that he will yield power to Bolingbroke if necessary.
Scroop then informs him that Bushy, Green and many of his other followers have been executed
and that his uncle York has joined forces with Bolingbroke. All throughout, Richard continues to
sadly lament his increasingly perilous situation while the others try and comfort him. The group
then departs for Flint Castle.

Bolingbroke asks Northumberland to deliver a message to the king, informing him that he only
wishes to retrieve his father's lands and titles and to have his exile repealed. If the king agrees to
grant him these requests, he will swear allegiance to him. If not, he will declare war on him.
Richard and his followers then appear upon the castle walls. The king chastises Bolingbroke for
his traitorous behavior, while Northumberland simply delivers the message that Bolingbroke
asked him to. Richard is then advised by Aumerle to treat Northumberland kindly until he is
better advantaged. When Northumberland returns, Richard sadly laments on how he will most
likely be forced to submit the crown and wonders if Bolingbroke will allow him to live.
Northumberland merely says that Bolingbroke would like to speak with him, and the king
descends.

Queen Isabella talks sadly with one of her ladies on the subject of her husband. The gardener and
his men enter, and the women step aside to listen to them speak. The gardener talks of the
executions of Bushy and Green and how the king is now in the captivity of Bolingbroke and
shall soon be deposed. Isabella is upset to hear these words and reprimands the gardener, who
defends himself by saying he is unhappy to deliver the news but that it remains true. The queen,
unhappy that she is the last to know of these events sets off to London to be with her husband,
while the gardener laments for her.

Act 4, Scene 1 Setting: Westminster Hall

The scene begins with Bolingbroke questioning the prisoner Bagot on the death of his uncle
Gloucester. Bagot accuses Aumerle of the murder and also says he wished Bolingbroke dead. An
enraged Aumerle throws down his gage at Bagot, but Bolingbroke orders him not to pick it up.
After hearing the accusations against him, Fitzwater, Percy and others throw down their gages at
Aumerle, who welcomes all challenges. Bolingbroke says they will recall Norfolk from
banishment, and he will explain the accusations against Aumerle. The Bishop of Carlisle then
announces that Norfolk has died in Venice. Bolingbroke is saddened by the death of his former
foe.

York enters and announces that Richard has resigned all regal power and named Bolingbroke his
heir. Bolingbroke accepts the throne but is rebuked by Carlisle who delivers a scathing prophesy,
claiming that many Englishmen will ultimately die if Henry proceeds with this coup.
Northumberland then orders Carlisle to be arrested for treason. York goes to fetch Richard so he
may publicly resign, and Bolingbroke tells those who have been accused to prepare for their
future trials. Richard enters sadly and asks why he was summoned. York informs him that he
must publicly resign. Richard is still somewhat reluctant to give up the crown but ultimately,
though not without much lamenting, gives it to Bolingbroke. The mirror is brought, and Richard,
after yet another sad lament, smashes it. He then asks Bolingbroke for leave to go on his way,
but Bolingbroke, who originally said he would grant Richard's request, orders him to be brought
to the Tower of London. The new king then sets his coronation date for the following
Wednesday and departs. The Abbot of Westminster, Carlisle and Aumerle remain behind and
discuss a plan of action, and the abbot says he will lay down a plot to solve the issue at hand.

Act 5, Scene 1-6

Queen Isabella awaits the passing of her husband on the streets of London. When Richard passes
the two share an intimate scene, and Richard orders Isabella to go back home to France.
Northumberland enters and says Richard is to be transferred to Pomfret, Isabella to France.
Richard prophesizes that Northumberland's deceitful nature shall soon turn on Bolingbroke, the
man he helped to power. Northumberland dismisses the claim and forces the two to part. Richard
and Isabella sadly say their goodbyes and part from one another forever.

York and his wife are discussing the processions of Richard and the new King Henry IV through
the streets of London and how Henry was treated so kindly, Richard so poorly, when Aumerle
arrives and is immediately treated badly by his father because of his allegiance to Richard. York
then sees a paper hung around his son's neck and demands to see it. Aumerle attempts to resist,
but York reads the letter and immediately declares his son a traitor and begins to set off towards
the king. The duchess demands to know why her husband is making such a rash decision, and
York tells her that he and several others were plotting to kill the king at Oxford. Despite the
duchess's continued pleading, York sets out to reveal this plot to the king. The duchess then tells
her son to get to the king before York does and confess and ask for mercy. She says she will join
him shortly.

The scene begins with a conversation between King Henry and Percy about Henry's son Hal.
Percy informs the king that Hal is patronizing the local taverns, much to Henry's chagrin. Yet,
the king still has confidence in his rebellious son. At this point, Aumerle storms in and asks the
king to pardon him even before he has confessed his crime, which Henry grants him. York
arrives and shows Henry the letter Aumerle was hiding, to which Henry angrily reacts. After
more harsh words are exchanged between York and Aumerle, the duchess arrives to plead for her
son's life. After several attempts to attain the king's mercy, Henry finally agrees to the duchess's
pleas and pardons Aumerle. However, the others involved in the conspiracy will be punished
severely.

Sir Pierce Exton speaks with one of his servants about a comment made by the king. Supposedly,
the king asked the question: "Have I no friend will rid me of this living fear?" Exton feels the
king was looking at him when he said these words and assumes the meaning behind them is to
murder Richard. Therefore, he will set out to do so.

Richard delivers a lengthy soliloquy, when a former groom from his stable arrives. The groom
tells of how Bolingbroke has been riding on Barbary, a favorite horse of Richard's. This news
seems to be the last straw for Richard. After Richard asks the keeper to taste the food for him, he
refuses and claims Exton, under orders from the king, ordered him not to do so. Richard snaps
and beats the keeper, who then cries for help. Exton and his servants rush in and attack Richard.
Richard manages to kill two of his attackers before being fatally struck by Exton. The former
king delivers a departing speech and dies. Exton is immediately remorseful for his crime but says
he will inform the king anyway.

King Henry announces that the rebels have burned the town of Cirencester. Percy then enters and
tells of the death of the Abbot of Westminster and hands over Carlisle to the king. The king, in
turn, pardons Carlisle and forces him to live a quiet life. Finally, Exton enters and presents the
body of Richard to the king. Henry is unhappy with the results of his words (and the fact that he
wished Richard dead) and vows to take a voyage to the Holy Land in order to purge himself of
his sins.

9. Theme

Power, the right to rule depends on whether or not a guy is actually a good leader.
Family ties, family ties should be stronger or more important than political
alliances.

10. Evaluation

The play is definitely questions the idea that kings are appointed by God. Richard came
into the throne as a little boy, ruled terribly, stole his relative’s rightful lands, and was
usurped by said relative. The part where Bolingbroke thanks Richard for his
banishment—I think Bolingbroke was just being a suck up and trying to look really
righteous in front of everyone at the duel, a facade he worked to uphold throughout his
reclaiming of his lands and seizing the crown. I think it’s a little bit ironic that he and
Mowbray are vehemently defending themselves against the charge of treason when not
long after, Bolingbroke comes after the Kingship with an army (technically an act of
treason, but Bolingbroke probably wouldn’t have classified it as such, since Richard had
wronged him). All the ideals surrounding kings and their nobles are skewed in this play,
which makes reading it more fun and surprising because if Richard is the deputy of God
then why does he have advisors butting into the affairs of the nation? Shakespeare
highlights the problematic nature of the monarchy in this play, using a clearly unjust
character to do so. I think the extremity of Richard’s corruption makes it easier for
Shakespeare to bring this play to the public eye in such a conservative society.