Richard II

Act I, Scene 1, sets up the initial conflict. It is a ceremonial scene that gives insight into how Richard II handles his public duties as a king. Shakespeare presents the scene in such a way that the audience does not know who is in the right in the quarrel between Bolingbroke and Mowbray; however, the tensions between these two important nobles and Bolingbroke’s accusation of treason immediately introduce the theme of The Problem of Order and Legitimacy, suggesting that there are already subtle fractures in Richard’s kingdom.

Richard first appears as a king who is calm and even-handed in the dispensation of justice. He gives the appearance of reasonableness and neutrality, as he assures the two men, “impartial are our eyes and ears” (1.1.115). Moreover, he tries to settle the dispute without bloodshed, imploring both men to “Forget, forgive, conclude and be agreed” (1.1.156). By his authoritative behavior and advocation of peaceful resolution, Richard seems to be a well-respected monarch who acts fairly and tries to find a way to avoid needless bloodshed. When the two men insist on trial by combat, Richard instead interrupts the proceedings to banish both men, again citing the desirability of avoiding bloodshed and maintaining peace in the kingdom. He even appears to show compassion when he reduces Bolingbroke’s banishment from 10 to six years on seeing Gaunt’s distress. In these ways, Richard presents himself as a just ruler.

However, the play soon reveals another side to Richard, one that is far pettier and grasping, introducing the theme of The Impact of Corruption and Opportunism on kingship. While who bears responsibility for the Duke of Gloucester’s death is never clearly established, in Scene 2 Gaunt points the finger at Richard himself, speaking of how “God’s substitute / His deputy anointed in His sight / Hath caus’d his death” (1.2.37-39), although Gaunt is not prepared to make a judgment about whether the killing was done “wrongfully” (1.2.39). In Scene 4, in which Richard talks to several of his trusted followers, he reveals the private self that exists behind the public persona. This king is not as high-minded as he would like others to think, and nor does he quite possess the “upright soul” (1.1.121) to which he laid claim in the first scene.

Richard reveals some of his flaws as a king on the issue of taxation and the seizure of property. He plans excessive taxation to fund the war in Ireland, reasoning that if his nobles do not agree to his plan voluntarily, he can strongarm them into it. Richard’s disregard of his subjects’ true feelings on the matter shows that he views his subjects more with contempt and ownership than with a true commitment to the good of the country. He also reveals his true feelings about Gaunt. In the previous scene, after Gaunt complained that he would die before his son returned, Richard assured him, “Why uncle, thou hast many years to live” (1.3.225). In private, however, when Richard hears that Gaunt is very sick, he says he hopes he dies immediately so that he can take his wealth. The fact that such a seizure will disinherit Bolingbroke—the rightful beneficiary—does not trouble Richard: His sense of his own power is so overweening that he behaves as if he is untouchable and above the law.

The rivalry between Richard and Bolingbroke is also established in Act I, foreshadowing Bolingbroke’s eventual rise to power. Richard refers to Bolingbroke as “high Herford” (1.4.2), which hints at his real, unfavorable opinion of him. “High” suggests Bolingbroke behaves too high for his station in life, implying that Richard regards Bolingbroke as arrogant. Richard also hints at Bolingbroke’s pretensions to kingship, with Richard noticing Bolingbroke’s “courtship to the common people” (1.4.24) and how much they seem to like him. Most significantly of all, Richard remarks upon how Bolingbroke talks to them, “As were our England in reversion his / And he our subjects’ next degree in hope” (1.4.35-36, emphasis added). The facade of Richard’s neutrality comes crashing down, while Richard’s recognition of Bolingbroke’s popularity with the people and easy air of authority over them reveals that Richard has another reason for wishing to banish him: to neutralize a potential rival for the throne.

Richard thus comes across as two-faced and callous behind his public kingly persona, hinting at The Crisis of Identity that will engulf him later in the play. These scenes reveal his poor political judgment and irresponsible, unjust management of the realm—an ill-considered rashness that will soon cost him dear.