The Skewed View Of King Richard II's Roles

In this essay, I will identify, describe and explain causes as to why Richard III was known as a bad King. Many people think about him as an inadequate king, but was he really? And if so what made him so poorly thought of?

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

A deeper understanding of ambition and identity emerges from pursuing the connections between King Richard III and Looking for Richard.

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 III is seen as a monster and a horrible person, but why? What if people saw him differently or if his family treated him equally like others? Also nobody wants to love an ugly hunchback. This is how Richard is treated in the play. He despises everybody including God and all of is creations so he decides to conquer the land and become King of England.

Richard III is the story of a villain who will commit unspeakable crimes in order to attain power. However, it is important to remember that it is just that, a story. Shakespeare wrote to entertain, and sometimes in order to captivate an audience, history must be embellished. For example, the events on which the play is based span 14 years, although the runtime of the play seems to suggest that it all took place within a few months. Even though this play is classified as historical, it fits more in the historical fiction genre as Shakespeare bases it on actual events but takes artistic liberties with his characters. In Richard III, due to the political climate of his time, Shakespeare characterizes Richard as ruthless and power hungry in order to paint the Tudor dynasty in a superior light.

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.

land in the north of England after both the Earl and Anne died. He was

“We were not born to sue, but to command” (Bevington, 2014). King Richard II was born to rule England. He came from a long line of English leaders. King Richard II played a very important part by leading his country and serving his country in their military. Early during King Richard II’s reign as king he seemed to be doing great, but he soon took a drastic downward turn. He was betrayed from within his own family. King Richard II was born to be a leader, but his strong presence in the military would eventually become his downfall.

Shakespeare’s 16th century play, ‘Richard III’, is a literary interaction of characters and events which reflects the Elizabethan social, political and historical context, whilst simultaneously exploring several universal themes portrayed by Shakespeare. Through the interplay between the context, text and themes, ‘Richard III’s relevance is ongoing even to a 21st century audience. Shakespeare’s conformity to the Tudor myth consequently influences the characterisation of Richard as a deformed and villainous noble versus Richmond as a divine restorer, in order for his audience to quickly despite Richard and accept Richmond as a deserving king. This also allows for Shakespeare’s critique on what is considered human and inhuman. Shakespeare also

Richard II had many traits that exposed his immaturity. These traits ended up leading to his downfall, and the end of his reign. Firstly, he was unable to learn from his mistakes. After killing his uncle, John of Gaunt, he went on to steal Bolingbroke's share of the inheritance to fund his personal wants. He did not realize that taking a man's wealth was like taking his status. He never grew out of his ten-year-old state of mind, because he had everything handed to him on a silver platter from an early age.

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:

Richard II is an authoritative and greedy king of England, and he is living in a period of transition that medieval knights who are swearing total loyalty to a king has been disappearing and an aristocracy starts to gain a power for their own good. However, Richard II keeps believing the power of kingship, and he also is too confident himself. He overestimates his authority and power; furthermore, he ignores the periodical change. Therefore, he speaks confidently how firm his position as king is to the people in Wales, but his attitude changes when he suffers a defeat by Henry Bolingbroke that he

In King Richard II, Shakespeare attempts to reflect on the real nature of England at the time of its publishing. The play is characterized by nobility, lordship, royal disputes and frequent wars. Notably, history evidences that such traits were associated with England in the 1500s. Particularly, Act 2 Scene 1 of the play has demonstrated a significant prophecy involving discomfort of an elderly member of the royal family towards the abuse of power demonstrated by King Richard II. John of Gaunt, the king’s uncle is displeased of the abusive practices of power that Richard has adopted and seeks to advise him before he succumbs to his old age. Indeed, John of Gaunt has utilized imagery and symbolism to demonstrate

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