What is Richard the second about?
Richard II Summary. King Richard II banishes Henry Bolingbroke, seizes noble land, and uses the money to fund wars. Henry returns to England to reclaim his land, gathers an army of those opposed to Richard, and deposes him. Now as Henry IV, Henry imprisons Richard, and Richard is murdered in prison.
Who killed Richard the 2nd?
Richard II, King of England was deposed by his first cousin Henry of Bolingbroke who then reigned as Henry IV, King of England. Held in captivity at Pontefract Castle in Pontefract, West Yorkshire, England, Richard is thought to have starved to death and died on or around February 14, 1400.
What does Richard Wish Upon hearing of his uncle Gaunt’s serious illness?
Richard rejoices to hear the information, saying that as soon as Gaunt is dead, he plans to seize his money and property in order to fund the war in Ireland.
What are the characteristics of Richard?
Deformed in body and twisted in mind, Richard is both the central character and the villain of the play. He is evil, corrupt, sadistic, and manipulative, and he will stop at nothing to become king.
Who was Richard 2?
Richard II (6 January 1367 – c. 14 February 1400), also known as Richard of Bordeaux, was King of England from 1377 until he was deposed in 1399. He was the son of Edward, Prince of Wales (known to posterity as the Black Prince), and Joan, Countess of Kent.
What kind of play is Richard II?
History Play
Tragedy; History Play Richard II straddles two different literary genres: the Shakespearean tragedy (think Hamlet or Romeo and Juliet) and the history play (think Henry IV Part 1, Henry IV Part 2, and Henry V).
Was Richard the second mad?
Now, generally, the historical record, or the historians have generally in the past recorded Richard as being insecure, hysterical, vengeful, megalomaniacal and in the 20th century they certainly called him mad.
How did Richard 2 meet his end?
He is thought to have been starved to death in captivity in Pontefract Castle on or around 14 February 1400, although there is some question over the date and manner of his death.
How does King Richard explain the power of death to his followers through his monologue?
Death is common to all people the king or the common man. Richard says Death sits within the hollow crown that sits on the head of the king. Death allows the king a little scene where the king shows all his power and authority. He thinks that this life is “brass impregnable” – undefeatable.
What does King Richard learn when returning from Ireland?
6. Richard returns from Ireland (Act 3, Scene 2) Richard returns hurriedly from Ireland. He expresses the belief that, as king, he will always have God on his side but quickly despairs when he learns that the Welsh have deserted to Bolingbroke or dispersed.