While the play Richard II gives the impression of focusing entirely on Richard himself, giving the idea of a strong and imposing man, the actual character is presented as a struggling ruler and a tragic hero, as in many of Shakespeare’s works.
Act 1, Scene I presents the audience with the stereotypical representation of a king; he is a ruler of his nations and commander of men, the sole representative of God and power:
“Old John of Gaunt, time-honour’d Lancaster
Hast thou, according to thy oath and band,
Brought hithe Henry Hereford thy bold son” (Shakespeare, 1595, A.1,S.I,L.1-3)
However the true Richard is a lair and deceitful man, having had Mowbray kill his uncle, something uncovered later in the play, and then feigning ignorance and allowing Mowbray and Bolingbroke to attempt a duel; his willingness to allow Mowbray to partake in a life threatening fight shows the audience how manipulative and decetful he can be.
Overall Richard is set up to fall like the typical Shakespearian tragic hero; despite his flaws and wrongdoings, there is something pathetic in his demise, making it possible for an audience to
forgive and empathise with him. Had Richard been released or if he met a different end, it would be
somewhat harder to truly forgive him as a character. Richard II’s place appears to be that of the tragic hero.
Total Word Count: 225
Bibliography:
Shakespeare, W. (1595) http://shakespeare.mit.edu/richardii/full.html
linkinmyhead 