Richard II—Study Guide

Written probably late in 1595, Richard II was published first in 1597 and then four more times before it appeared among the Histories in the 1623 Folio. The first three quartos omit the so-called deposition scene (4.1.155-321), probably because of the political sensitivity of the subject. In 1608, the fourth quarto was published “With new additions of the Parliament Sceane, and the deposing of King Richard.” In 1601 followers of the Earl of Essex commissioned a performance of the play on the eve of an abortive rebellion. The main source of the play is Holinshed’s Chronicles (2^nd ed., 1586).

1. Think about the two different ways in which Richard and Bolingbroke understand and articulate kingship. Look especially at Richard’s sacramental language.

2. Why does Richard not allow the trial of combat between Mowbry and Bolingbroke to take place?

3. Why does Bolingbroke return from France?

4. How does the play present Bolingbroke’s rebellion? Is his opposition justified? What does Gaunt mean by “God’s is the quarrel” (1.2.37).

5. Look at Gaunt’s speech at 2.1.31; look carefully at the language and rhythms. What is his understanding of England? how accurate is it? (Why does British Airways use it in their advertising?)

6.What is the purpose of the scene with the Gardeners (3.4)?

7. Look at the role of York; follow his shifts of political allegiance in the play. Are they markers for an audience’s sympathies? Where are an audience’s sympathies—with Richard or Bolingbroke?

8. Look carefully at Richard’s last major speech (5.5.1-66); what has changed in understanding both of the world and even of language since his early pronouncements about kingship? What does he mean by “hammer[ing] it out”?

9. Is Richard deposed or does he abdicate?

10. What about the play might have suggested it to Essex’s supporters as a prologue to their rebellion in 1601? What do you take to be the play’s politics?