Richard II

Book Review # 108503

Drama and Theater > English
Shakespeare > Richard II and III

Richard II

A discussion on the decline of static, hierarchical structure versus the rise of individual power within a power structure in the play "Richard ll" by William Shakespeare.

827 words () | 1 source | APA | 2008 United States

Paper Summary:

The paper discusses "Richard ll " by William Shakespeare. The paper states that the play in itself is a representation of the decline of the static, hierarchical structure and of the rise of individual power within a power structure. The paper comments that the structure of the play shows four different phases. The first one is the initial state of the realm, with Richard II as King who acts like a sovereign, judging two noblemen and their dispute. The second phase occurs when Bolingbroke overthrows the King in III, 3, showing that a single individual has the power to thwart the King's plans. The third stage takes place when Richard II gives up his power to Bolingbroke. The paper notes that this is the symbol of the decline of the royal power. Finally, the last and fourth point is the official coronation ceremony of Bolingbroke as King Henry. This event is the proof that a single individual can rise within a power structure. The paper also includes a summary of the play.

From the Paper:

"Bolingbroke defeats Richard II, in III, 3, whereas he is supposed to be less powerful than the King. Indeed, if the King would have managed his troops well, he would have been at the head of an army of thousands soldiers, ready to fight for him. Instead, he is only surrounded by some close allies and friends. On the other hand, Bolingbroke has managed to gather together a lot of men coming different places, such as Brittany (II, 1, 287-290). Bolingbroke invades the north coast of England while Richard II departs to Ireland to make war. One by one, Richard's allies desert him and join Bolingbroke. When the King goes back, it is too late and he has to surrender. This shows, on the one hand, the bad management of Richard II, and on the other hand, that a single individual such as Bolingbroke has been able to raise enough resources by himself to counterattack a King and his power. This is where the difference between a great leader and a leader by lineage is."