Richard II (Magill Book Reviews)
At a glance:
- Author: William Shakespeare
- First Published: 1600
- Type of Work: History Play
- 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
In the opening scene, King Richard the Second confronts two feuding noblemen--Mowbray and Bolingbroke, the king’s cousin--who accuse each other of treason and demand a resolution by combat. The king’s irresolute and theatrical handling of this episode indicates his weakness and inability to rule. Instead of permitting combat he vacillates and then banishes both men.
Needing revenues for a military campaign in Ireland, the king initiates schemes of taxation and confiscation of property which alienate both the nobility and the commoners. While Richard is in Ireland, his...
[The entire page is 591 words long]
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