Richard II
About the Play
"Richard II" is a play in five acts written by William Shakespeare around 1595-96. It was first published in a quarto edition in 1597 and later included in the First Folio of 1623. The quarto version of the play omits the deposition scene in Act IV, likely due to censorship.
This play is the first in a sequence of four history plays, collectively known as the "second tetralogy," which also includes "Henry IV, Part 1," "Henry IV, Part 2," and "Henry V." These plays delve into significant events in English history during the late 14th and early 15th centuries.
Shakespeare derived much of the story of "Richard II" from Raphael Holinshed's Chronicles. While many aspects of the play stay true to the historical facts of Richard II's life, Shakespeare's account of his murder is not supported by reliable sources.
Summary
In "King Richard II," the drama unfolds with Henry Bolingbroke challenging Thomas Mowbray in the king's court. They want to settle their differences through combat, but Richard decides to exile them both instead. Henry's father, Gaunt, dies, and Richard seizes his land and money to fund wars. This angers the nobles and weakens Richard's rule.
When Richard leaves for Ireland, Henry seizes the opportunity to return from exile with an army. The people welcome him, and he gains support throughout the country. Richard returns to find his allies scattered and his own friends betraying him. Henry's forces prevail, and Richard is convinced to step down in favor of Henry, who becomes King Henry IV.
Richard is imprisoned, and Henry tries to consolidate his power. Some nobles plot against him, but their scheme is revealed. Richard is ultimately murdered by Exton, but Henry claims innocence and banishes Exton. The play ends with Henry mourning Richard's death and vowing to go on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem.
Themes
"Richard II" delves into themes of patriotism, loyalty, and different perspectives on these values. Family loyalties are closely examined throughout the play. The concept of the divine right of kings is also explored and found to have flaws. This idea challenged the belief that the king's authority came directly from God and could not be questioned, which would have been unsettling to many Elizabethans and possibly made the monarch uneasy.
The play focuses on the central theme of the King's two bodies, which unfolds in significant scenes at the Coast of Wales, Flint Castle, and Westminster. As Bolingbroke rises to the throne, a new era begins in England. Historical research suggests that an English translation of Machiavelli's "The Prince" might have influenced the reigns of the kings of England as early as 1585, adding further layers of complexity to the political landscape of the time.
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