King Richard II Analysis

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When thinking of royalty there are thoughts of power, wealth, and popularity. What is usually not thought about are the responsibilities that come with the title King or Queen. This was the case with King Richard II when he became the King of England at the young age of ten years old. King Richard II was a devoted Christian who believed that God himself wanted him to be king. King Richard II believed that he had been appointed by God and therefore a gift to the people who should obey his every command. King Richard II feels that he is God’s gift to his subjects, he holds all the rights of the people, and this alienation of his subjects leads to the downfall of his reign. Richard II was born to Edward the Black Prince and Joan of Kent (Saul, …show more content…

Richard gives a soliloquy about his imprisonment that puts it into perspective. He tells of how he was a king and now nothing but that he still sometimes feels as if he is still a king. This speech shows that “he rediscovers pride, trust, and courage, so that, when he is murdered, he dies with access to strength and an ascending spirit” (Bevington, 2011). In an attempt to show the strength of Richard II, Shakespeare tells of how he regains his godliness and strength before fighting off several of his murderers. Richard II is killed finally by a blow from the blade of Exton, but in his new found defiance Richard tells Exton, “That hand shall burn in never-quenching fire that staggers thus my person. Exton, thy fierce hand hath with the King’s blood stained the King’s own land.” (Shakespeare, 2014, 5.5.108-110). A look at King Richard the Second in William Shakespeare’s The Tragedy of King Richard the Second, reveals a telling of one man’s vanity that gets in the way of leading his people. King Richard II’s asset seizures, harsh taxes, and blatant robbing of his subjects led to him being overthrown. Richard II was a horrible ruler that felt everyone should worship him simply because he is the king and he did not have to do anything to earn their loyalty. Their loyalty was to be expected and came along with his title as King of England. Richard II was simply to command everyone else was to obey without

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