Richard II (Cyclopedia of Literary Characters)
At a glance:
- Author: William Shakespeare
- First Published: 1600
- Type of Work: Play
- Type of Plot: Historical
- Time of Work: Fourteenth century
- Setting: England
- Genres: Drama, History play, Tragedy
- Subjects: Murder or homicide, Exile or expatriates, England or English people, Death or dying, Kings, queens, or royalty, Patriotism, Contests, Fourteenth century
- Locales: England
Characters Discussed
King Richard II, a self-indulgent and irresponsible ruler. He neglects the welfare of his country and brings on his own downfall. He is insolent in his treatment of his dying uncle, John of Gaunt, and greedy in his seizure of the property of his banished cousin, Henry Bolingbroke. To his lovely young queen he gives sentimental devotion. Being forced to give up the crown, he wallows in poetic self-pity, playing with his sorrow and theatrically portraying himself as a Christ figure. He dies well.
Henry Bolingbroke (BOL-ihn- brook), the duke of Hereford...
[The entire page is 1178 words long]
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