Richard II

Posted March 15, 2010 * Comments(1)

Richard’s return from from Ireland in Act 3, scene 2 marks a transformation in his character. Whereas in Act 2, scene i, in which he confronts his dying uncle, the king’s language is callous and brusque, on the Welsh coast it soars while his while his spirit seems to sink. Given that his endeavors in Ireland were largely successful, why the metamorphosis?

I suspect he knew his days were numbered. On borrowed money he prosecuted the Irish wars as a final wielding of the absolute power with which he grew up and returned resigned to his demise.

1 Comment so far

  1. sgrimes on April 11th, 2010

    King Richard made the mistake of downplaying the anger and contempt his cousin Bolingbroke had towards him. He was accused by his cousin of wasting the country’s money, also for the murder of the Duke of Gloucester. The King let his guards down and his kingdom was snatched from him as a result of his not paying attention as a King should. It was mistake after mistake that inevitably led to his demise.