Richard II is a play by William Shakespeare that was first performed in 1597. NORTHUMBERLAND That were some love but little policy. TL;DR: Richard wastes money, steals land, and kills political rivals; people are angry and rebel; Henry becomes king. The play is the first in a sequence of four history plays known collectively as the ‘second tetralogy.’ This is rather bold characterization, somewhat melodramatic, and more typical of Shakespeare's early plays than his later ones. Past productions. Richard II Act 2, scene 1. Character Analysis Richard II As a king, Richard is supposedly divine and all powerful; as a man, he is an ordinary mortal and prey to his own weaknesses. Richard II was seen as a politically suspect them… Act 1, Scene 1: London.KING RICHARD II's palace. Amazon Price New from Used from Kindle Edition "Please retry" £0.49 — — A synopsis of Shakespeare's Richard II Read More. David Tennant stars as the doomed Richard II in Greg Doran’s critically-acclaimed Royal Shakespeare Company production, available for the first time online across the world. Richard II, chronicle play in five acts by William Shakespeare, written in 1595–96 and published in a quarto edition in 1597 and in the First Folio. The commoners and nobles are already critical of Richard. Henry accuses Mowbray of being involved in the recent death of the King's uncle (who is also Henry's uncle; Henry and the King are cousins). Due to this, Shakespeare took many information about the circumstances of the king's deposition from chronicles written by Raphael Holinshed and Edward Hall which helped him to present the events in a greater detail. York’s son, the Duke of Aumerle, remains loyal to Richard despite his father’s change of allegiance. Editor of. Be on the lookout for your Britannica newsletter to get trusted stories delivered right to your inbox. But he is also a man of very human weakness. Ben Whishaw stars as the titular Richard II of England. Find out more. Richard II. Henry's father, Gaunt, dies, finally broken by his son's banishment, and by the state of the kingdom under Richard's rule. Shakespeare shows Richard quite openly preparing to take his country's wealth to spend on a foreign war and also hoping for an early death for the venerable old Gaunt. Shakespeare began his career with a history play, and he wrote eight major history plays in the 1590s; all concerned with English history, the kings, queens and historical events ranging from about 1377, when Richard II assumed the throne, to about 1485, when Richard III was deposed and the rule of Henry VII began. © 2020 Shakespeare Birthplace Trust Registered Charity Number 209302, Read the latest about our response to Covid-19 The play ends with Henry inquiring about his own wastrel son, Prince Hal, and swearing to make a pilgrimage to the Holy Land to atone for his part in Richard’s murder. ; he kills political rivals. Omissions? Richard expresses his fury. Henry returns to England to reclaim his land, gathers an army of those opposed to Richard, and deposes him. Explore information and resources for teachers and learners on Richard II Find out more. Folger Shakespeare » Shakespeare’s Plays, Sonnets, and Poems » Richard II » Act 2, scene 1 » Richard II. He toys with his subjects, exiling Bolingbroke for six years. The story of Richard II was taken mainly from Raphael Holinshed’s Chronicles. Bolingbroke, now King Henry IV, performs his first royal act (and displays his pragmatic approach to governing) by acquiescing to the Duchess of York’s pleas for Aumerle’s life while the zealous York demands his “disloyal” son’s execution. He exiles two feuding noblemen, Thomas Mowbray and Henry Bolingbroke, seemingly because Mowbray has been implicated along with Richard himself in the murder of Richard’s uncle Thomas of Woodstock, duke of Gloucester, while Bolingbroke, Richard’s first cousin, is a threat to the king because he is intent on avenging the death of Gloucester. QUEEN Then whither he goes, thither let me go. From this moment of truth, he rediscovers pride, trust, and courage, so that, when he is murdered, he dies with access to strength and an ascending spirit. Richard II belongs to William Shakespeare's history plays. Richard II Starring David Tennant The first part of his history tetralogy, Shakespeare’s interpretation of the deposed king is brought to life in this richly detailed production from the Royal Shakespeare … A man whose vanity threatens to divide the great houses of England and drag his people into a dynastic civil war that will last 100 years. ; he kills political rivals. KING RICHARD II So two, together weeping, make one woe. Richard's queen is sent home to France. Thank you for your support to help care for the world's greatest Shakespeare heritage and keep his story alive. Shakespeare’s Richard II presents a momentous struggle between Richard II and his cousin Henry Bolingbroke. Born the grandson of Edward III and a member of the Plantagenet family, Richard II inherited the throne as a child. Some lords join in a plot against Henry but York, the father of one of the nobles, relates their machinations to Henry. The play is the first in a sequence of four history plays (the other three being Henry IV, Part 1, Henry IV, Part 2, and Henry V) known collectively as the “second tetralogy,” treating major events in English history of the late 14th and early 15th centuries. What makes Richard II such a brilliant play was Shakespeare’s effort to find the larger meanings behind the historical events. He is keenly aware of the magnitude of the crime which he is embarking on, and he quickly learns the tediousness of being a ruler, as is particularly evident in the scene which precedes Richard's prison cell monologue. Synopsis. Powerful earls, especially the Earl of Northumberland and his family, support Bolingbroke because of their intense disapproval of Richard’s invasion of baronial rights. “This royal throne of kings, this sceptered isle, This earth of majesty, this seat of Mars, This other … Richard II takes place during two years of the life of England’s King Richard II, who reigned from 1377 to 1399. Modern historians do not accept this interpretation, while not exonerating Richard from responsibility for his own deposition. King Henry IV's rule (and his dealings with his son, Hal, who eventually becomes King Henry V) are the subject of Shakespeare's plays, Henry IV Part 1 and Henry IV Part 2. Henry spares the son of York, but he is now aware of his tenuous position as king. This royal throne of kings, this sceptred isle… This blessed plot, this earth, this realm, this England. QUEEN Banish us both and send the king with me. Richard's posthumous reputation has been shaped to a large extent by William Shakespeare, whose play Richard II portrayed Richard's misrule and his deposition as responsible for the 15th-century Wars of the Roses. Richard II is a 2012 British television film based on William Shakespeare's play of the same name.It is the first of four television adaptations of Shakespeare's second history tetralogy commissioned by BBC Two under the series title The Hollow Crown. Join WNYC and The Public Theater as we bring Free Shakespeare in the Park to the airwaves with William Shakespeare's RICHARD II. When John of Gaunt, Bolingbroke’s father, dies, Richard seizes his properties to finance a war against the Irish. Richard II is the first play in a tetralogy (a group of four plays) commonly referred to as the “Henriad.” This set of plays depicts the historic struggles for the English throne, and, along with Shakespeare’s other tetralogy, the changes of power that eventually led to the rule of Queen Elizabeth I, the monarch of England during the first part of Shakespeare’s career. World authority on Shakespeare. Act 2, Scene 2: The palace. Corrections? 10 likes. Instead Richard chooses to exile both Henry and Mowbray. 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. Act 1, Scene 2: The DUKE OF LANCASTER'S palace. The quarto edition omits the deposition scene in Act IV, almost certainly as a result of censorship. The play ends as King Henry banishes Exton, orders a funeral for Richard, and swears to make reparation for his cousin's death by going on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem. Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. Character Analysis Richard II As a king, Richard is supposedly divine and all powerful; as a man, he is an ordinary mortal and prey to his own weaknesses. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. With David Tennant, Elliot Barnes-Worrell, Antony Byrne, Sean Chapman. In 1608, the play was printed again (Q4), this time including what we now refer to as the deposition scene (4.1.160–331). Ben Whishaw stars as the titular Richard II of England. While much of the play is true to the facts of Richard’s life, Shakespeare’s account of his murder rests on no reliable authority. The private tragedy of the play, for Richard, is in his being forced to face this duality. This version of the play was then reprinted in 1615 (Q5). Henry marches through England, gathering his willing forces. Born the grandson of Edward III and a member of the Plantagenet family, Richard II inherited the throne as a child. It was almost certainly revived at the Globeon 7 February 1601, when a performance was commanded by one of the Earl of Essex’s supporters shortly before his rebellion. Unable to defeat Bolingbroke militarily, Richard reluctantly agrees to surrender and abdicate the throne. Richard’s last surviving uncle, Edmund of Langley, duke of York, serves as regent while the king is fighting in Ireland. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). Richard IIis a grand, lyrical allegory and a poignant exploration of character. Richard expresses his fury. His nobles are dismayed, not only because of the waste of the kingdom's money but also for fear over the security of their own estates. The play was entered into the Register of the Stationers Company on 29 August 1597 by the bookseller Andrew Wise. In the presence of King Richard, Henry Bolingbroke (who would eventually be Henry IV) accuses Thomas Mowbray (Duke of Norfolk) of embezzling crown funds and of plotting the death of his uncle, the Duke of Gloucester. Read on below for the most well known and significant Richard II quotes: KING RICHARD II Ay, hand from hand, my love, and heart from heart. Richard arrives back after the Irish war to find that his Welsh allies have dispersed. Richard takes possession of Gaunt's land and money. Richard II Act 2, scene 1. Henry subsequently imprisons him in Pontefract castle. This version of the play was then reprinted in 1615 (Q5). But it re… This presents some memorable dialogue and wonderful quotes as the play progresses – from both the King, and his subjects. With mine own tears I wash away my balm, With mine own hands I give away my crown. Richard II (Shakespeare, Signet Classic) Mass Market Paperback – 15 May 1963 by William Shakespeare (Author) 4.3 out of 5 stars 51 ratings. Presented in three weekly episodes, Richard II tells the timely story of the downfall and overthrow of a despotic and mercurial King, by the opposing forces of the banished Henry Bolingbroke who ascends the throne to become Henry IV. By focusing on the very end of Richard's reign and the thematic undertones of the play, Shakespeare manipulated the story to create a poetically tragic character. They welcome Henry in the north, led by the powerful Earl of Northumberland, Henry Percy. Richard II is a 2012 British television film based on William Shakespeare's play of the same name.It is the first of four television adaptations of Shakespeare's second history tetralogy commissioned by BBC Two under the series title The Hollow Crown. See all formats and editions Hide other formats and editions. Looking for Richard II quotes? Richard II takes place during two years of the life of England’s King Richard II, who reigned from 1377 to 1399. The play opens in King Richard's court, as Henry Bolingbroke, son of Gaunt (the Duke of Lancaster), challenges Thomas Mowbray, Duke of Norfolk. In 1608, the play was printed again (Q4), this time including what we now refer to as the deposition scene (4.1.160–331). York, however, recognizes that change is inevitable and swears allegiance to Bolingbroke. He brings the body to London. Folger Shakespeare » Shakespeare’s Plays, Sonnets, and Poems » Richard II » Act 2, scene 1 » Richard II. Within Shakespeare’s “Richard II” the tragic hero of the play, King Richard, displays a great feeling of pride regarding his belief that he is God's anointed deputy and this absolute faith elevates him. Our year-long exploration of ‘our scepter’d isle’ will take us on a journey through history via Henry IV, Henry V, Henry VI, and Richard III. The private tragedy of the play, for Richard, is in his being forced to face this duality. Richard II, chronicle play in five acts by William Shakespeare, written in 1595–96 and published in a quarto edition in 1597 and in the First Folio of 1623. One of Shakespeare’s history plays, Richard II is a cultured and charming man, but a failure as King. Celebrating Shakespeare is at the heart of everything we do. King Richard II banishes Henry Bolingbroke, seizes noble land, and uses the money to fund wars. Both of these monetary acquisitions have helped him to fund wars with Ireland. Act 1, Scene 3: The lists at Coventry. Weep thou for me in France, I for thee here; Better far off than near, be ne'er the near. Directed by Gregory Doran. This history play by William Shakespeare, which is believed to hav Others have been executed on Henry's orders. Act 1, Scene 4: The court. And responding to Henry's father Lancaster's pleas, he limits Henry's exile to six years. Free Shakespeare on the Radio: Richard II FROM OPEN AIR TO ON THE AIR! Summary Read a Plot Overview of the entire play or a scene by scene Summary and Analysis. Find out more about his poor rule as king, his loss of the crown and his eventual murder Summary of William Shakespeare's Richard II: Richard wastes money, steals land, and kills political rivals; people are angry and rebel; Henry becomes king. The most important moment in the play was the deposing of the king where Richard actually resigned the crown and gave it to his cousin Henry. Shakespeare wrote and published ‘Richard II’ around 1595 but the first editions of the play were printed without an important scene: the Parliament scene or ‘abdication episode’ which shows Richard II resigning his throne. Synopsis: John of Gaunt, knowing that he is dying, speaks plainly to Richard about his deficiencies as king. ― William Shakespeare, Richard II. In view of the insurrections against him, King Richard is persuaded to step down in favour of Henry Bolingbroke, now King Henry IV. A complete summary of William Shakespeare's Play, Richard II. It turns out that he has also been leasing out royal land.