In Shakespeare’s historical yet a tragedy play “The Life and Death of King Richard the
Second”, Richard has come to show that he is one character that is very complex based on the different characteristics that are displayed throughout the play. Whether the common people found him a miserable King of England or an indecisive and childish ruler, not many people appreciated his time on throne. For this reasoning, Scene 5.5 of this play has evidently showed why King Richard has led to his downfall based on all of his attributes that are shown in one scene.
To begin with, the setting of this scene was most notably important because it starts off with Richard alone in his prison where he describes it as his own world. This is the first time where …show more content…
The groom who used to take care of Richard’s horses (when Richard was on throne) comes in and the first thing he says is “Hail, royal prince” (5.5. 67). Without a doubt, this clearly shows that besides the common people of England, the groom is the only person that shows high respect for his former king even though Richard holds a lower power status than before. Although the conversation was very short between them, it was a final reflection for Richard to feel like he was still being honoured as a king. The groom plays a key role because he reminds Richard of the good times he had when Richard was his king. Unfortunately, right when the Groom mentions that “In London streets that coronation day, When Bolingbroke rode on roan Barbary” (5.5. 78), the mood changes for Richard. The fact that Bolingbroke is riding on Richard’s former horse is obviously something he would feel jealous about and not to mention it’s something he would also whine about towards the groom. As shown repetitively in this play, Richard once again whines about something that has nothing to with the actual importance of being the king of England. Although the audience doesn’t know how much this horse meant to Richard, the horse shouldn’t have been something that he should feel worry about as of right now. England’s situation (back in the 1390s) was in a horrific period with the Anglo-Scottish wars, the Hundred Years War and most notably the outcome of the Black Plague occurring and with Richard complaining only about his horse just shows how much more childish he is as both a king and prisoner. As Richard is given more information about what’s going on beyond his exteriors, it seems like life isn’t that adventurous for him anymore. Everything is taken away from him and there’s just nothing for Richard to do in life except talk to himself in a dungeon. Despite the fact
Second”, Richard has come to show that he is one character that is very complex based on the different characteristics that are displayed throughout the play. Whether the common people found him a miserable King of England or an indecisive and childish ruler, not many people appreciated his time on throne. For this reasoning, Scene 5.5 of this play has evidently showed why King Richard has led to his downfall based on all of his attributes that are shown in one scene.
To begin with, the setting of this scene was most notably important because it starts off with Richard alone in his prison where he describes it as his own world. This is the first time where …show more content…
The groom who used to take care of Richard’s horses (when Richard was on throne) comes in and the first thing he says is “Hail, royal prince” (5.5. 67). Without a doubt, this clearly shows that besides the common people of England, the groom is the only person that shows high respect for his former king even though Richard holds a lower power status than before. Although the conversation was very short between them, it was a final reflection for Richard to feel like he was still being honoured as a king. The groom plays a key role because he reminds Richard of the good times he had when Richard was his king. Unfortunately, right when the Groom mentions that “In London streets that coronation day, When Bolingbroke rode on roan Barbary” (5.5. 78), the mood changes for Richard. The fact that Bolingbroke is riding on Richard’s former horse is obviously something he would feel jealous about and not to mention it’s something he would also whine about towards the groom. As shown repetitively in this play, Richard once again whines about something that has nothing to with the actual importance of being the king of England. Although the audience doesn’t know how much this horse meant to Richard, the horse shouldn’t have been something that he should feel worry about as of right now. England’s situation (back in the 1390s) was in a horrific period with the Anglo-Scottish wars, the Hundred Years War and most notably the outcome of the Black Plague occurring and with Richard complaining only about his horse just shows how much more childish he is as both a king and prisoner. As Richard is given more information about what’s going on beyond his exteriors, it seems like life isn’t that adventurous for him anymore. Everything is taken away from him and there’s just nothing for Richard to do in life except talk to himself in a dungeon. Despite the fact