Richard 2 Essay

Richard II is infatuated with his almighty power. Richard believes he is divinely chosen to be king and feels as if he has the power to rule people and act how he pleases. His power- hungry nature leads to his ultimate demise. This theme of power is seen throughout the play. His abuse of power beginnings with him banishing Bolingbroke and then seizing John of Gaunt's property, which deprives Henry Bolingbroke of the right to gain the land. This seizing of the land leads Richard to losing his crown and power. He believes he has the right to perform these acts because he feels as if no one can tell him what to do except God and that he holds all the power since God gave it to him. Power, though, does not last, which Richard learns at the end of the play. One of the major themes of this play is power and how it does not remain forever.

The reader soon discovers that this kindness masks his hatred of Bolingbroke. In 1.4, Aumerle mocks him by stating that Bolingbroke “should have had a volume of farewells; but since it would not, he had none of me” (17-19). He is still loyal to Richard and even attempts to comfort Richard in 3.2. He believes that Richard should have the power, not Henry. Once his conspiracy to ruin the new King Henry is discovered, Aumerle denies the charges (4.1). His father discovers Aumerle’s plot against Henry, and soon he begs for forgiveness and ends up being King Henry's man stating, “Unto my mother's prayers I bend my knee” (5.3. 97). His loyalty interchanged from Richard to Henry because of him asking for forgiveness. Although this is a compulsory switch, his loyalty still