Richard II Dbq Analysis

However, an argument contradicting this idea lies in the persona of Richard, Duke of York, who was the King’s closest adult male relative and the most famous and influential of the great magnates in 1450. Also before 1453 York was heir presumptive. He was descended from Edmund of Langley, 1st Duke of York and fourth son of Edward III on his father’s side. On his mother’s side he was descended from Lionel of Clarence, Edward’s second son. York’s close blood relationship to the king could admit him to the throne. Not only did he claim the descent from King Edward III, but also claimed to the throne. The Battle of St. Albans is the straightforward proof of it. He evidently felt that he had a sense of duty and a right to play a fundamental role in government. Richard was an obvious threat to Henry’s kingship: unlike the last one he was a competent politician, a distinct warrior and a father of healthy sons. In other words, his power of personality harmonized his goal, which by 1450s, had come to embrace the crown of England.

It is only during his deposition and his imprisonment that Richard shows his greatest strength as a dramatic figure. Although occasionally he seems to demonstrate self-pity, he also reveals himself to have an acute awareness of the ironies and absurdities in the structure of power of his kingdom. He still compels the court to reconsider his initial claim that the crown is divinely appointed: “Not all the water… can wash the balm of an anointed king (3.2.55)”. Although he keeps reminding those present of his God-given mandate to rule, he seems also to take pleasure in passing on the trails of kingship to his successor. As a King, He does have a God-given position of being the king. But as a king one should know the difference between moral values and ethics values. Just because Richard is King and is appointed by God doesn’t give him any rights to be an awful ruler. He can’t always fight a problem by saying that he is

Richard was the third son of Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine, and he was given the duchy of Aquitaine, his mother’s inheritance, at the age of 11 and was enthroned as duke at Poitiers in 1172. Richard possessed precocious political and military ability, he won fame for his knightly prowess, and quickly learned how to control the

Richard’s aspiration for power caused him to sacrifice his morals and loyalties in order to gain the throne of England. Shakespeare refers to the political instability of England, which is evident through the War of the Roses between the Yorks and Lancastrians fighting for the right to rule. In order to educate and entertain the audience of the instability of politics, Shakespeare poses Richard as a caricature of the Vice who is willing to do anything to get what he wants. As a result, the plans Richard executed were unethical, but done with pride and cunningness. Additionally, his physically crippled figure that was, “so lamely and unfashionable, that dogs bark at me as I halt by them,” reflects the deformity and corruption of his soul. The constant fauna imagery of Richard as the boar reflected his greedy nature and emphasises that he has lost his sense of humanity.

Source 2 which is a 19th- century portrait that shows Richard as King, indicating that he was to become one of the most powerful people in Medieval Europe in the feudal system, below the Pope. Richard, becoming the King of England was one of the most major events in the life of Richard the Lionheart, as it affected the whole feudal system in Medieval

To better establish the personal attributes and leadership qualities of King Richard II, his background must first be understood. He was born in England in the year 1367 and ruled England from 1377 to 1399 (Saul,

Richard was king from 1483-1485, came to the throne after his brother had died and Richard thought it right for the princes (his nephews) to be put into the tower of London for their own protection and then died later on. Throughout the play are many death and assassinations, many who were ordered by Richard to do so, although Richard never killed anyone himself. William Shakespeare wrote in his play that Richard killed the princes in the tower, but is everything that Shakespeare said true? Either way when the princes died there was a huge rebellion broke out in the South and the West.

Richard lost the support of the nobles and lords, Bolingbroke gained their support. Bolingbroke used this support to depose king Richard II.

In Shakespeare’s history play Richard II, King Richard II’s relationship with God can be explored throughout the play as he gives up his crown. Richard II is easily seen as weak, making some think that he is not fit for the role of king. He does not listen to his advisors and takes money from the nobles. These actions lead Henry Bolingbroke to take the crown. Richard II does not put up much of a fight as he willingly hands the crown over to Bolingbroke, but he does prolong the process as he dramatically hands his crown and scepter over. Richard II even speaks out about his power that was given to him:

Wardarius, I do agree with you that King Richard II believes that God anointed him during his kingship. He also believed that God was standing by him and as King and he can do anything that he wants because of his royal status. King Richards Crown was handed down through the death of his father, so he was not elected by the people. I also believe that during Richard’s rule he did not have compassion for the people who turn on him during his rule. King Richard II was a confident but arrogant king who craved to be in control of every

Richard II is an authoritative and greedy king of England, and he is living in a period of transition that medieval knights who are swearing total loyalty to a king has been disappearing and an aristocracy starts to gain a power for their own good. However, Richard II keeps believing the power of kingship, and he also is too confident himself. He overestimates his authority and power; furthermore, he ignores the periodical change. Therefore, he speaks confidently how firm his position as king is to the people in Wales, but his attitude changes when he suffers a defeat by Henry Bolingbroke that he

When King Henry II died Richard was greatly grieved at his father 's death. He visited Fontevraud Abbey Church and when he saw his father 's dead body, he cried out, "Alas! it was I who killed him!" But it was too late and he could not make up for what he had done. King Richard I of England had to think about the Crusade he had promised to make. Richard was so brave and strong that he was called Lion-heart; he was very noble and good in some ways, but his fierce, passionate temper did him a great deal of harm.

Even though King Richard the II’s boastfulness and wastefulness played a big part in his falling, vindictiveness was probably his biggest flaw. King Richard became greedy, wanting to control what was rightfully owed to Bolingbroke, the Lancastrian inheritance (Saul,1999). Without this, King Richard could remain king, if he offered the estate, instead he chose to give up the crown unwillingly. He was so busy trying to control all of the riches and pay back those he felt wronged him that he neglected those around him, eventually losing all respect from others. Some would say he was being paid back of his cruel ways. He wished all of those in his way dead or to be

A part of Richard II’s narcissistic personality creates his obsession of the royal title. It blinds Richard II of the reality of being a king. For example, Northumberland suggests that Richard II must read the accusations against him. However, King Richard II responds, “[His] eyes are full of tears, [He] cannot see; / And yet salt water blinds them not so much” (IV.1.244-245). King Richard II struggles to see the reality of his reign. He thinks that he can do no wrong because he is a king. He then realizes that he spends his reign through ignoring the consequences of committing crimes. His vision is blurry due to crying after facing a part of reality. He assumes that the world is centered around him, which detaches him from the real world. With his obsession of his title, he ends up viewing his people that followed him as betrayers. Having the position of power does not necessary mean that one has complete control of his or her reputation. Even if he is a king, does not mean that he can do what he pleases. A person in power can get in trouble if she or she does not have a reality check. Additionally, having obsession of one’s reputation causes an individual to suffer in the end. Furthermore, the obsession of Richard II causes him to have a difficult acceptance of giving up his life as a king.

This is just the first of many non-actions that Richard takes on his way to losing the throne. Because he was set to rule at such a young age, Richard II assumes the facade of a ruler at the same time as he accepts the crown. It becomes obvious through the course of the play that Richard II is king only on the surface– he commits acts such as exiling Bolingbroke that temporarily secure his throne but do nothing for the good of England or the surety of his monarchy. Richard pays lip service to the idea of defending England and his people, but acts against Ireland, quelling a land that is not his own and leaving England open for revolt. Similarly, once Bolingbroke begins his invasion and Richard’s supposedly loyal nobility turns against their ineffective monarch Richard simply gives up the only way of life he has ever known, trusting in God to protect his divine right to rule. Because of his seeming cowardice and most of all his complete lack of action, Richard II lacks the courage and fortitude of many of Shakespeare’s heroes, leaving the possibility open that Richard II possibly has the potential to become a tragic hero, but never taking responsibility for his lack of leadership.