Comparing Development of the King in Richard II, Richard III, Henry IV,

Shakespeares tuition of the KinginRichard II, Richard III, Henry IV, Henry V Shakespeares plays beginning with Richard II and concluding with Henry V presents an interesting look at the section of a king. Englands search for the mirror of whole Christian kings provided the opportunity to look the many facets of kingship showing the strengths and weaknesses of both the bunk and the men who filled that position. through and through careful examination, Shakespeare develops the king as a physical, emotional, and psychological being. By presenting the strengths and weaknesses of these characteristics, Shakespeare presents a unified look at the concept of kingship and demonstrates that failure to achieve straitlaced balance in the king versus the man struggle, leads to the ongoing bloodshed examined in this tetralogy and the next. Richard II demonstrates the extreme of the conceit of divine right. He abuses his power and position caring only for the regal image he projects. His desire is for the physical, dashing appearance accompanied by the power and wealth of royalty. Richard desires to look the dispel which he succeeds in doing. In Richard II III.iii, York says of Richard in line 68, except looks he like a king Richard does not care if he truly is a king with regard to responsibility for his subjects. He has interpreted divine right to be an agreement from God to him with no obligations to the subjects all over whom he has dominion. This is exemplified in his attitude toward his ailing uncle, John of Gaunt, when he says to his friends, Come, gentlemen, lets all go visit him. Pray God we may make rush and come too late (RII I.iv.63-64). Richards only interest is in the estates Gaunts ... ... Yale UP, 1990. 6. Chapman, George. every(prenominal) Fools. 1605. Ed. Frank Manley. Lincoln U of Nebraska P, 1968. 7. Council, Norman. When Honours at Stake. London George Allen & Unwin Ltd., 1973. 8. Craig, Horace S. Dueling Scenes and footing in Shakes peares Plays. Los Angeles U of California P, 1940. 9. Edelman, Charles. Brawl Ridiculous Swordfighting in Shakespeares Plays. newfangled York Manchester UP, 1992. 10. Kiernan, V.G. The Duel in European History. Oxford Oxford UP, 1988. 11. Marlowe, Christopher. The Jew of Malta. 1633. Ed. James R. Siemon. New York W W Norton, 1994. 12. Seldon, John. Table-Talk. 1689. Ed. Edward Arber. London Alex, Murray & Son, 1868. 13. Shakespeare, W. The Tragedy of King Richard the Second. The Complete 14. Signet Classic Shakespeare. Toronto Harcourt Brace Johanovich, Publishers, 1972