Richard II

A detailed Summary of Richard II

O, let no noble eye profane a tear

For me, if I be gored with Mowbray's spear!

As confident as a falcon's flight

Against a bird, do I with Mowbray fight...

O thou, the earthly author of my blood,

Whose youthful spirit in me regenerate

Doth with a two-fold vigour lift me up

To reach at victory above my head,

Add proof unto mine armour with thy prayers,

And with thy blessing steel my lance's point

That it may enter Mowbray's waxen coat

And furbish new the name of John o' Gaunt

Even in the lust haviour of his son! (1.3.59-62,69-77)

Bolingbrook begins his speech by speaking of the nobles and their profane tears that represent the misfortune that country will experience of he is struck by Mowbray's spear. The use of figurative language, through the adjective profane, provides the reader an interpretation to the importance of this fight, and the meaning it contains for all of England. If he were to lose, the noble's rights and money would be stolen in an unjust nation, with a corrupt dictatorship. If he were to win, the people's voices would be heard and King Richard would adhere to justice for the

This passage explains the determination, confidence, and origins of Bolingbroke's character as a worthy king even before his banishment and crowning.

Bolingbroke, the speaker of this passage, is addressing King Richard, Lord Marshal, Mowbray, his father John of Gaunt, Duke of Aumerle, and a Herald. He addresses them all at first, but then turns to his father as his key audience during the passage. The main point Bolingbroke reveals to his audience is his confidence and character towards something he believes in which stands strong enough to risk his own life. This passage fits ideally into the play and comes at a very logical time to reveal to the audience in the castle, as well the reader, the significance his father had in instilling values and vigorous leadership. The content does seem unusual though, because nobody but him in the entire play presents themselves in the manner he does here. This passage follows King Richard's statement that people may lament Bolingbrokes' death, but that he hopes his judgement will not cause Bolingbroke to seek revenge. The irony of these two dialogue's depict the feelings Richard will have towards Bolingbroke, when he realizes his own defects and flaws of character. King Richard warns Bolingbroke about revenge, but at the end of the play Richard sacrifices his kingly dignity willingly, and he himself becomes his own target of revenge and self-pity.

people. Shakespeare compares Bolingbroke to a "falcon's flight" to illustrate his own confident path and flight he has voluntarily taken upon himself to defeat Mowbray (1.3.61). He has chosen to hunt Mowbray and kill his unjust practices and beliefs like a predator by bringing him in front of King Richard. To further his beliefs and confidence, he addresses his father as his "early author of my blood"(1.3.69). His father raised him with the morals and values of the old order. His father demands respect throughout England, so Bol

Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 1307
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: Miscellaneous