The Life and Death of King Richard II
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491_9782382746691
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The Life and Death of King Richard the Second, commonly called Richard II, is a history play by William Shakespeare believed to have been written in approximately 1595. It is based on the life of King Richard II of England (ruled 1377-1399) and is the first part of a tetralogy, referred to by some scholars as the Henriad, followed by three plays concerning Richards successors: Henry IV, Part 1 Henry IV, Part 2 and Henry V.Although the First Folio (1623) edition of Shakespeares works lists the play as a history play, the earlier Quarto edition of 1597 calls it The tragedie of King Richard the second.The play spans only the last two years of Richards life, from 1398 to 1400. The first Act begins with King Richard sitting majestically on his throne in full state, having been requested to arbitrate a dispute between Thomas Mowbray and Richards cousin, Henry Bolingbroke, later Henry IV, who has accused Mowbray of squandering money given to him by Richard for the kings soldiers and of murdering Bolingbrokes uncle, the Duke of Gloucester. Bolingbrokes father, John of Gaunt, 1st Duke of Lancaster, meanwhile, believes it was Richard himself who was responsible for his brothers murder. After several attempts to calm both men, Richard acquiesces and it is determined that the matter be resolved in the established method of trial by battle between Bolingbroke and Mowbray, despite the objections of Gaunt.The tournament scene is very formal with a long, ceremonial introduction, but as the combatants are about to fight, Richard interrupts and sentences both to banishment from England. Bolingbroke is originally sentenced to ten years banishment, but Richard reduces this to six years upon seeing John of Gaunts grieving face, while Mowbray is banished permanently. The kings decision can be seen as the first mistake in a series leading eventually to his overthrow and death, since it is an error which highlights many of his character flaws, displaying as it does indecisiven
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