Act four is where we really see how deeply Richard has been affected by his dethronement. After everything he has gone through for his crown, he is about to lose it all to Bolingbroke, his cousin whom he grew up with like a brother. Both Richard’s and Bolingbroke’s hands on the crown, Richard taunts, just like an older brother does, “Here, cousin, seize the crown. Here, cousin.” (4.1.182) Knowing he has no other choice, Richard does eventually resign himself from the crown and gives it over to Bolingbroke, now King Henry IV. Asking for a mirror, Richard laments what he has become, “Was this the face / That like the sun did make beholders wink? / Is this the face which faced so many follies, / That was at last outfaced by Bolingbroke?” (4.1.283-286)
