RICHARD
The ripest fruit first falls, and so doth he;
His time is spent, our pilgrimage must be;
So much for that. Now for our Irish wars–
We must supplant these rough rug-headed kerns,
Which live like venom, where no venom else
But only they have privilege to live.
And for these great affairs do ask some charge,
Towards our assistance we do seize to us
The plate, coin, revenues, and moveables,
Whereof our uncle Gaunt did stand possessed.

In this passage from "Richard II," King Richard coldly reflects on the death of his uncle, John of Gaunt, likening him to "the ripest fruit" that inevitably falls. This metaphor suggests an acceptance of death as a natural process, but Richard's indifference to his uncle's passing reveals his broader insensitivity and detachment from familial bonds and moral responsibilities. Immediately, Richard shifts focus to pragmatic concerns, namely funding the Irish wars, using the opportunity of Gaunt's death to seize his assets. This action underscores Richard's opportunistic nature and foreshadows the political instability his decisions will incite. Richard's dismissive attitude and harsh policies will ultimately contribute to his downfall, setting the stage for the subsequent power struggles within the play.