Essay on Shakespeare

John of Gaunt, in his “sceptered isle” speech, exalts England and the individuals who have protected it and made is great, showing his true patriotism and dedication to England (Shakespeare II.ii.49-55). Richard stands in stark contrast to Gaunt and other nobles of the court. Not only does he not imitate those who have been praised and honored before him, he doesn’t even respect his own heritage or family line; rather he is responsible for spilling “one vial full of Edward’s sacred blood” (I.ii.17). Richard’s chosen course of action shows him to be cowardly; instead of courageously dealing with his problems, he acts as a coward and turns on his own kith and kin, a choice that will lead Richard to see his kingdom spiral out of control and will ultimately lead to his downfall as a medieval

These traits that Richard displayed were not befitting to a king and a man who was suppose to lead. Rather than look out for the

The texts King Richard III and Looking for Richard both accept the centrality of power and the yearning for it, as a central plot driver and an assumed part of the human condition. However, each presents a different perspective as to the nature of power; its origins and morality.

Richard speaks about how people see him as a curse to the land and how he is unfit to be there. He does not like that and to prove everybody wrong, he will rise up to be king, no matter what he has to do. He even stated in his opening soliloquy that he will, “set my brother Clarence and the King, / In deadly hate the one against the other.” (I.i. 35-36). He can’t live his whole life being told he is a villian just because of his deformity.

Late 14th century English king Richard II lost all of his power towards the end of his reign as a result of his exploded sense of self-importance and godly association, which led to fatal opposition from multiple prominent aristocrats and eventually England as a whole. This gradual growth of opposition can be seen in the persecution of Richard’s most favored advisors; the aftermath of fear and apprehension that followed Richard’s execution of the Lord’s appellant in 1397; and his swift and universally encouraged abdication by Henry Bolingbroke, future Henry IV.

Jealousy is shown in The Tragedy of Richard the Second through the character of King

Richard II is one of Shakespeare’s most popular history plays. It features elements of comedy, tragedy, history, and betrayal. In act four scene two King Richard says “With mine own tears I wash away my balm, With mine own hands I give away my crown, With mine own tongue deny my sacred state, With mine own breath release all duty's rites”. This particular passage, King Richard is speaking aloud about giving up his crown and throne to Bolingbrook. The symbolic meaning behind certain words within this passage generate this tone of relief, satisfaction, and alleviation.

A defining feature between these two men’s fate is Richard’s dependence on good fortune through divine intervention, whereas Henry and Machiavelli rely on free will, what they themselves can do to manipulate the situation. Richard calls upon God to defend him, thinking that he can manipulate God’s will to fit his desires, “angels fight, weak men must fall, for heaven still guards the right” (III.ii pg 409) This idea of unearthly abilities that allow him to manipulate nature itself, even England is stupid and shows how incompetent he is. Compared to Henry in this play, he is someone who wants to serve England, not how England can serve them; in other words what you can do for your country. Machiavelli states that “so long as fortune varies, and men stand still, they will prosper while they suit the times, and fail when they do not”, Richard in all ways fills this statement, his reliance on fortune seals his fate in the end (Machiavelli 148). Shakespeare shows this antiquated idea to show how much England needed a change of leadership and rule, the end of medievalism and the rise of Machiavellianism.

In Shakespeare’s history play Richard II, King Richard II’s relationship with God can be explored throughout the play as he gives up his crown. Richard II is easily seen as weak, making some think that he is not fit for the role of king. He does not listen to his advisors and takes money from the nobles. These actions lead Henry Bolingbroke to take the crown. Richard II does not put up much of a fight as he willingly hands the crown over to Bolingbroke, but he does prolong the process as he dramatically hands his crown and scepter over. Richard II even speaks out about his power that was given to him:

Gaunt's own son, Harry Bolingbroke, was feasted upon by Richard's insatiable desire for control. Richard does not realize that men like Bolingbroke, who are unjustly victimized, will not be digested and disposed of easily. By continuing to rule in the same ignorant manner, each destructive decision Richard makes will eventually resurface to "prey upon" him.

The Duchess of Glouster advices Gaunt to seek revenge upon Richard II, but Gaunt refuses to take action and says that the need to leave the punishment up to God: “put we our quarrel to the will of heaven” (Richard II I.ii.6). Gaunt is not fearful of what King Richard II could do to him, but of what God might do to him because he believes Richard II to have been given his position by the grace of God, therefore Gaunt must stand back and let God eventually handle Richard II’s punishment.

A general conclusion of most critics is that Richard II is a play about the deposition of a "weak and effeminate" king. That he was a weak king, will be conceded. That he was an inferior person, will not. The insight to Richard's character and motivation is to view him as a person consistently acting his way through life. Richard was a man who held great love for show and ceremony. This idiosyncrasy certainly led him to make decisions as king that were poor, and in effect an inept ruler. If not for this defect in character, Richard could be viewed as a witty, intelligent person, albeit ill-suited for his inherited occupation.

The main scene demonstrates a keen lord. Any shortcoming is just alluded to, particularly if Mowbray is coming clean when he says: "Ignored my sworn obligation all things considered" (I.i.139). On the off chance that that is reality than Richard is feeling the loss of a chance to have Mowbray for all time hushed, so as not to have an observer to involve himself. In spite of the fact that his choice to wish for no brutality could be praiseworthy.

As Machiavellians, Richard III and Henry V become actors, acting differently in certain situations to be able so that they will benefit, but in these situations Henry V has noble aims. Richard’s goal just seems to become the King(1.1.140-148). In a true Machiavellian fashion, he deceives several people like his brothers and the common people to try and advance his goal. When he is talking with Clarence his imprisoned brother he tells him, “your imprisonment shall not be long; I will deliver you.” He is

The first reason why King Richard II portrays an ideology of a politician is through his entitlement mentality. While many people may possess an entitlement mentality, Richard II portrays this ideology in his self serving statement, where he indicates “God for his Richard hath in heavenly pay A glorious angel. Then, if angels fight, Weak men must fall, for heaven still guards the right” (Bevington, 2014, p. 350 Act: 3 Scene 2, Lines 60-62). Through this statement, Richard provides the audience insight into his idea that God has “chosen” him into this position, therefore, he deserves the position, that no man can remove from him. He clearly indicates this lack of