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King Richard The Second Essay

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The Tragedy of King Richard the Second portrays a struggle over England within the royal family of Edward that is growing increasingly violent. Within this power struggle, King Richard murders the Duke of Gloucester, banishes Bolingbroke, and seizes Gaunt’s lands and fortune upon his death. Moreover, while once feared among the nations England has turned its focus from the outward enemies of state and instead is tearing itself apart internally. Consequently, John Gaunt’s deathbed speech depicts England as ill tended by its rulers, and Shakespeare’s imagery of the garden throughout the play allows a vivid relatable concept of political failure without fear of extreme repercussions. While King Richard had proven that he would not accept challenges to his ideology with the Duke of Gloucester’s murder and Bolingbroke’s exile, John Gaunt no longer feared retribution with his death imminent. Within the dialogue, John Gaunt reminisces about England likening it to a utopia that gods protected from the outside world, and goes as far as to say “This other Eden, demi-paradise” (Shakespeare, 2014, 2.1.42). However, that utopia had transitioned into a kingdom that lived in the moment without any forethought of their …show more content…

Moreover, upon Aumerle’s arrival, the Duchess asks him, “Who are the violets now [t]hat strew the lap of the new come spring? (Shakespeare, 2014, 5.2.46,47), actually asking about his societal interactions under the new king. However, Aumerle replies that he is not concerned, but the Duke of York, his father, cautions his actions so that he is not “…cropped before…[he]…come[s] to prime” (Shakespeare, 2014, 5.2.51). Thus again, these characters utilize depictions of nature when referencing political activities during a period of transition and unrest within England. So, why is such imagery used throughout the

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