Explore Shakespeare's presentation of Kingship in Richard II

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Maria Tennant

Mr Marston

English Coursework

Explore Shakespeare’s presentation of Kingship in Richard II

Richard II is a play that centres on Kingship; Shakespeare presents vanity and flattery using rich language throughout the play to articulate the hazards a King must avoid to ensure their position as King is maintained. During the play we see the character of Richard presented as vain and tyrannical; as a man who is attempting to escape the responsibilities that Kingship brings such as succession and leadership. Written almost wholly in verse, Shakespeare contrasts Richard with his successor Bolingbroke to emphasize how care of the kingdom of England and good judgement is inextricably linked with being a successful King.  

From the onset, Shakespeare presents Richard as vain. In Act I of the first scene Richard’s interruption of the duel suggests his egotism. The duel gives Richard the opportunity to make a dramatic and grand public gesture, asserting himself as King. As the brawl develops Richard calls Mowbray and Bolingbroke to “forgive, forget, conclude and be agreed”. Shakespeare’s use of verbs in the imperative makes this statement a command. It implies Richard has paid little attention to the reason behind the quarrel, and is instead more interested in people concentrating on his lavish words and public display. The repetition of the “o” sounds and alliteration of the “f’s” also brings a certain finality to the speech, perhaps hinting at Richard’s self-important and haughty nature which we see resulting in his demise as King. This narcissistic portrayal of Richard is continued as the duel unfolds. Shakespeare then further emphasizes Richard’s enjoyment of power and pleasure in set piece displays of authority with his statement “Lions make leopards tame”. Richard is referring to himself as the “lion” and again, Shakespeare uses language to reflect Richard’s flattery-driven personality whilst perhaps indicating that without firm governing, “leopards” such as Mowbray and Bolingbroke will be able to attack Richard’s position of King.

Shakespeare emphasises how ineffective kingship is dominated by flattery and vanity by surrounding the doomed Richard with sycophants who ultimately result in his downfall. Men such as Bushy, Bagot and Greene are all characters that give the king bad advice leading him to lose the crown. Indeed, it is the inadequate guidance that Richard’s flatterers give such as to leave England, which enables Bolingbroke to return and subsequently force Richard to abdicate. Shakespeare conveys Richard’s foolishness in listening to these men through the comments from the other characters he creates. Bolingbroke, Gaunt and York all refer throughout the play to Richard’s self-deception and craving for flattery. In Act II for example, York remarks that “flattery sounds, / As praises” emphasising that although Richard considers the flattery he receives to be accurate in terms of truth, it is not; and that he is so blinded by sycophancy and self adulation that he cannot realise his weaknesses and inadequacy as King. Bolingbroke also makes the audience aware of Richard’s reliance on obsequiousness with his references to “the caterpillars of the Commonwealth”. We interpret the “caterpillars” to be men such as Bushey and Greene and the term “caterpillar” conjures up imagery of greedy, lazy almost parasitic vermin who are both a detriment to Richard and the rest of England. Bolingbroke then swears he “shall weed and pluck away” these men. This continues the portrayal of Bolingbroke as a hero and develops England as an organic entity, which is a recurrent theme throughout. Finally, when Gaunt states the King is “basely led by flatterers” he indicates his antipathy of Richard’s reliance upon flattery. This speech can be seen to be an implied condemnation of Richard’s kingship and is arguably a climax in the tensions between Richard and Gaunt. Undeniably Gaunt expresses his despair at Richard’s predisposition to flattery at other points in the play too. “A thousand flatterers sit within thy crown,” conveys the extent to which the King surrounds himself with sycophants. The number “thousand” can be seen to imply a powerful, almost army-like force which, as well as hating, Gaunt also fears. To say that they “sit within thy crown” also reflects their proximity to the King as one associates the word “sit” with a sense of comfortableness and security. With this line Shakespeare suggests the flatterers feel no threat from others surrounding the King such as Gaunt. A certain hopelessness is inherent in Gaunt’s situation, as he will never be able to make Richard understand the cost of being surrounded by flatterers before it’s too late and they lead to his failure. Indeed, it is through characters such as Gaunt that Shakespeare is able to encapsulate the weak character of the King as he shows Richard as being governed by his flatterers as opposed to governing them, which is presented as the true role of a King.

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Richard’s choice to distance himself from his family and make an enemy of his cousin Bolingbroke is a critical error. His aloofness and hostility towards other members of his family jeopardizes the succession. The succession is presented as an essential element of Kingship as without an heir, Richard could plunge the country into bloody Civil War after his death if those around him disagreed about his successor. This, in conjunction with the divine right of kings is presented as a key element to kingship. According to Richard himself “Not all the rough rude sea/ can wash the balm off ...

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