The names and titles of the various characters, especially early on, make the action somewhat hard to follow. Use your Persons of the Play to help you keep them straight. Note that a person can be called either by one of his or her given names, or by his or her title(s). For instance, Henry Bolingbroke (given name at birth), is also Duke of Hereford (pronounced “hair-ferd”) (title), and later Duke of Lancaster (another title), can and is called by one or any combination of these names: Bolingbroke, Hereford, Henry Hereford, etc..
Be patient with scenes 1 and 3 of Act I–they are very ritualized and are meant to be confusing. Bolingbroke and Mowbray are accusing one another of treason before the King (1.1) and meet again (1.3) to formally decide the truth of their disagreement in trial-by-combat. Just as the duel is about to begin, Richard calls off the duel by throwing down his “warder” (118).
1. How does Richard resolve this dispute between Mowbray and Bolingbroke?
2. Why does Richard reduce the term of Bolingbroke’s banishment? By how much does he reduce it?
3. In Act I, scene 2, John of Gaunt has a private conversation with the Duchess of Gloucester. Look at the Persons of the Play at the beginning and try to figure out what the relationship is between these two.
4. In the Duchess’s monologue beginning at 1.2.9, she refers to the famous seven sons of King Edward III. If you look on the inside front cover of your Norton Shakespeare, there is a family tree. Use it to locate these seven brothers. How many of them are still living at this point in Richard II? How many have sons? (i.e., who are the three male cousins who figure prominently in this play?)
5. In 1.4, note the antagonism between Richard II and Bolingbroke. Why are they in conflict?
6. Why does Richard II need money? How is he going to get it?
Act II:
7. At the opening of 2.1, Gaunt is being carried out onto the stage, terminally ill and near death. His dying words are accusations against the King. What does he accuse him of? What do you think of the King at this point in the play?
8. After John of Gaunt’s death, Richard expresses no remorse. How does Gaunt’s death help Richard?
9. The Duke of York, after Richard leaves, tells us that he has been patient with Richard II for a while, but now he is outraged. Why? Look very carefully at his objections in 188-209–it is very important to understand this in order to understand the rest of the play!
10. Bolingbroke returns at 2.3, accompanied by a large army, even though he had been banished by the King in act I. How does York greet him? On what grounds does Bolingbroke defend his return? Does he convince York? Remember, Bolingbroke is Duke of Hereford, but also (should) become Duke of Lancaster after his father, John of Gaunt’s, death.
As you read through act III, try to note all the examples you can find of ascents and descents, both literal and figurative.
1. In 2.3.147, Northumberland insists that Bolingbroke is not committing treason. Do you think Bolingbroke’s actions in 3.1 support Northumberland’s claims? Is Bolingbroke “coming…but for his own”?
2. 3.2 is full of amazingly rich and interesting language. Take time reading through it, noting especially the speeches of Richard. Pay careful attention to Richard’s speech beginning at 3.2.140. What is he saying about the nature of kings? How does this contrast to what he says about kings earlier in this scene?
3. What does Richard promise at 3.3.202-206?
4. Why does the Queen curse the gardener in 3.4.101-102?
Act IV:
1. Pay careful attention to York’s speech at 4.1.98-103. What is he saying? Note how the Bishop of Carlisle responds to this speech at line 105. What is his prophesy?
2. In 4.1.185, Richard engages in some very confusing word play, which is something he does frequently in the play. Why might he use so many puns? How does this compare to his speech earlier in the play?
3. In all editions of Richard II published before Queen Elizabeth’s death in 1603 (and perhaps in performances, too), lines 145-308 were omitted. What is happening during this portion of the play? Why do you think it might have been censored?
4. Note the ritual that Richard goes through that makes him no longer the king. What must he do?
5. What is Richard’s one request of (now) King Henry IV? How does Henry fulfill it?
Act V:
6. What is Aumerle’s new title? How did he receive it? What does York find that makes him call his own son a “traitor” (5.2.72)?
7. In 5.3, we see the new king has to make a tough decision. What does he resolve to do, and what (and whose!) arguments persuade him?
8. Exton tells King Henry “From your own mouth, my lord, did I this deed” (5.6.37). What does he mean? Did the King ever order the death of Richard (look back at 5.4).
9. What does King Henry say that he will do to “wash this blood off from my guilty hand” (5.6.50)?
