ipl-logo

Empowerment In King Richard II

390 Words2 Pages

In the play Richard II, King Richard thinks of being a king as a powerful position that give him all rights to rule as a gift passed down by his father. Moreover, he also feels almost like he is above the regular man, above mortally due to he views himself as a chosen one here on earth to be God’s representative. These feelings of empowerment in Richards head make him not a good fit for kingship. Throughout the play he demonstrates these true colors of his character first by forcing a duel, then instead banishing the two men, one of which is Henry Bolingbroke for ten years. “We were not born to sue but t command; Which since we cannot do to make you friends, Be ready, as your lives shall answer it, At Conventry upon Saint Lambert’s day. …show more content…

334) During this time King Richard goes to visit Henry’s father, John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster. Gaunt tries to talk some sense into Richard telling him that is doing harm to his country by doing this and by leaving himself to go to Ireland. Richard didn’t take well to this talk and once Gaunt dies he steals all of this wealth, and thinks this is rightful with his holier-than–thou attitude he seems to have. All of this and more, results in nobles not being happy and finding support to bring Henry back; back to take the crown of king from Richard, as King Henry IV. Henry felt, as I think most do, that the right to rule is a privilege granted to them due to their talent and leadership abilities as mortals, not above them. Henry was more than willing to come back, be crowned as king, and get rid of the man who stole his dad’s fortune, by imprisoning him. This is where Richard is killed by Sir Pierce of Exton, in turn getting him banished by the new King Henry, who is showing true leadership skills unlike Richard. Reference Bevington, D. (2014). The necessary Shakespeare. Fourth edition. Published by Longman. Retrieved from

Show More
Related
1360 Words | 6 Pages

Richard III wanted Richard, Duke of York, removed from sanctuary so he would have both Edward V and Prince Richard under his control. The reason Richard III wanted both of his nephews under his control

Read More
268 Words | 2 Pages

He values loyalty to family over loyalty to the King, and thus joins in Glendower and companies plot to overthrow Henry IV. Given the legitimacy issues tied up with the death of Richard, Henry IV’s predecessor this is an interesting decision to make, given the complications

Read More
854 Words | 4 Pages

The implication is that the people are being ruled. Henry used his skills in speech to persuade the Council or Parliament that trying to rule over others was wrong. He spoke out against the way things had always been done and

Read More
1430 Words | 6 Pages

King Henry demonstrates to his men that he himself is not unwilling to die for England’s “cause”, and that such a death is honorable; establishing his character as belonging to a man who will not ask any other man to do that which he is not willing to do himself, to his men. This has an interesting effect on the

Read More
1492 Words | 6 Pages

Nevertheless, in one of William Shakespeare’s acclaimed plays about this monarch’s life, Henry V, Shakespeare depicted Henry as far from an ideal king, even though he may have displayed certain admirable qualities at times. Shakespeare showed Henry V to be a flawed king, as demonstrated by his motives, aggression, and lies. First, Shakespeare displayed Henry V’s flawed character through his mixed, conflicting motives of self-abandon for God’s sake and self-glorification for his own. Throughout the play, we find hints that a desire to do God’s will motivated Henry V. Before declaring war against France, he sought the approval of God by way of the established English ecclesiastical authority, and even when he believed he was justified in his claim to rule France, he understood his duty to his Lord, saying, “For we have now no thought in us but France, / Save those to God, that run before our business” (1.2.315-316).

Read More
1422 Words | 6 Pages

As ruler, Henry did social and legal changes which included issuing the Charter of Liberties and restoring the English laws of King Edward the Confessor. In his coronation charter, Henry denounced William's oppressive policies and promising good government in an effort to appease his barons. (Britannica) Robert returned from the Crusades and attempted to make himself King of England. Henry soon drove him again to Normandy. The siblings kept on arguing for a few years, and Robert oversaw Normandy seriously, and squandered his cash.

Read More
1105 Words | 5 Pages

King Henry is portrayed to us as the main leader within the English ranks and an important component of their strategy. One characteristic of Henry’s leadership is that he is able to forge close connections with his men. During the Battle of Harfleur, we see him describe his men as “dear

Read More
705 Words | 3 Pages

Throughout William Shakespeare’s 1597 History “The First Part of King Henry the Fourth”, the importance of individual reputation proves to be a catalyst for character advancement and plot development alike. King Henry’s repeated emphasis on the superior characteristics of himself and Hotspur earlier in the scene establish a dichotomy between the ideal leader and Prince Henry. In a rebuttal to his father 's disapproving tone, Hal vows to reclaim both his honor as a prince and his honor as a son. Shakespeare’s use of language through lines 129-159 in act III.2 foreshadows events to come while reinforcing Prince Henry’s earlier assertion that he will be the victor when battling Hotspur.

Read More
386 Words | 2 Pages

Henry V keeps his word and and punishes him for the crime. He is able to separate his emotions from his friend dying. Henry V keeps his word, not changing his words for every person you like and don't like. It could separate the kingdom, people would not trust him if they are not equal with everyone else. Giving great pep talks is another form of being a great leader.

Read More
1093 Words | 5 Pages

Shakespeare’s play, Henry V, portrays the newly crowned king of England, King Henry V, as a committed, fearless, and relentless leader. France is England’s archenemy and their relationship only worsens after the Dauphin delivers a mocking message to England’s new king. The Dauphin frequently ridicules the English and King Henry, whereas, the King of France, Charles VI, does not underestimate Henry and his people as his son does. (Source B) Throughout the play, the two leaders display their differences in terms of personality, leadership, communication skills, and ethics.

Read More
802 Words | 4 Pages

Henry’s flawed nature and inner desire to be morally upright are revealed as he escapes the battle and as he justifies himself

Read More
174 Words | 1 Pages

Women of the Renaissance were looked at in mediocre ways to men Women of all ages were negated of political rights and were pondered strictly subjective to their husbands and must obey them under all measures. Women of today are more objective then they were in the past and they plea more from their lives and decide the way in which they want to live their life. The role of women has justifiably changed over issues that took place within the time of the Renaissance and till the 21st century. In this research paper I will argue that the powers and roles of women have changed because of the hundreds of protests that took place in order for women to get a political vote, the need for women in a workplace during the Second World War due to their

Read More
1262 Words | 6 Pages

Richard loved his family more than people could imagine, and he would never put them in jeopardy. He would never kill his wife because she was a “co-heiress to [her] father’s earldom of Salisbury and to all [her] mother’s vast estates” (card 27). Also, he

Read More
1320 Words | 6 Pages

Another example of metaphor in the novel is how Mr. Twain depicts the characters to enunciate his views of the bigotry of social norms pushing the reader in a sense to understand what he means. Huckleberry Finn with his innocence and Jim with a thirst for equality metaphorically portray the minorities, Pap the trope of humanity that are corrupted and deprived by those that are uncivilized. “You’re educated, too, they say—can read and write. You think you’re better’n your father, now, don’t you, because he can’t?

Read More
1533 Words | 7 Pages

When King Henry IV scold's Prince Hal for spending too much time with the commoners, he uses a similar analogy to the prince's own line of thought. Prince Hal is compared to the sun, that should only shine so often to be better appreciated. While Prince Hal sees his goodness and virtue and the light from the sun, the king sees it as the royal presence. He condemns the prince for being too seen, “For thou has lost thy princely privilege With vile participation: not an eye But is a-weary of thy common sight” (3.2.86-88). This difference in their rationalism shows who has the superior viewpoint on public perception.

Read More

More about Empowerment In King Richard II

Related Topics

Open Document