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King Richard The Second Allegorical Language

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Imagery within literary pieces consistent with Shakespeare’s, (1610-11/2014), work in “The Tragedy of King Richard the Second” can capture the imagination of his readers while actively foreshadowing and alluding to the theme within his production (1.1-5.6, pp. 331-369). Allegorical language can act as a catalyst to allow images of the natural world to transcend their literal meanings and connect happenings of the past or future through descriptions of nature or gardens. “Yet again methinks Some unborn sorrow ripe in Fortune’s womb Is coming towards me With nothing trembles. As something it grieves More than with parting from my lord the King” (Shakespeare, 1610-11/2014, 2.2.9-13, Queen, p.344). The garden of the queen’s ripening grief seems to allude to her king’s absence foreshadowing the potential consequences of his decision to pursue a conquest. “The wind sits fair for news to go to Ireland, But none returns. For us to levy power Proportionable to the enemy Is all unpossible” (Shakespeare, 1610-11/2014, 2.2.122-125, Bushy, p.346). The allegorical images emerging from the concept of …show more content…

“He that hath suffered this disordered spring Hath now himself met with the fall of leaf” (Shakespeare, 1610-11/2014, 3.4.48-49, Gardner, p.356). Seemingly, the gardener exploits nature’s capacity to provide metaphorical analogies to explain to his assistant that Richard’s misgivings in national leadership have led to his fall. “The weeds which his broad-spreading leaves did shelter, That seemed in eating him to hold him up, Are plucked up root and all” (Shakespeare, 1610-11/2014, 3.4.50-52, Gardener, p.356). Again a consistent example of the gardener’s allegory explains how a diversity of leadership failures had precipitated a hostile overthrow of the throne by his cousin in response to Richard’s

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