Act 1 scene 1
Bullingbrooke: [throwing down his gage]
Formal challenge
Presents his anger and desire to prove innocence
Changes the direction of the scene
Mowbray: "slander of his blood how God and good men hate so foul a liar"
Highlights the key theme of deception
Links to religion - God = the ultimate judge
Richard: "Forget, forgive, conclude and be agreed; our doctors say this is no month to bleed"
Richard seen as easy and soft because he doesn't want to fight (lack of masculinity)
Act of intelligence as he is covering up his wrongdoing
Richard: We were not born to sue, but to command.
Act 1 scene 3
Mowbray: "Both to defend my loyalty and truth to God, my King, and my succeeding issue"
God ranked above the King - damages Richard's ego
Truth = key theme in tragedy (links to Othello)
Theme of loyalty
'A charge is sounded. Before the combat can begin, the King throws down his baton'
The audience have been built up, but the anticipated fight doesn't happen (structure)
Richard viewed as weak/soft - feminine
Could highlight his guilt
King Richard: Why uncle, thou hast many years to live.
Gaunt: But not a minute, king, that thou canst give.
Mowbray: The language I have learnt these forty years,
My native English, now I must forgo;
And now my tongue’s use is to me no more
Than an unstringèd viol or a harp,
Or like a cunning instrument cased up,
Or, being open, put into his hands
, That knows no touch to tune the harmony.
Within my mouth you have enjailed my tongue,
Doubly portcullised with my teeth and lips,
And dull unfeeling barren ignorance
Is made my jailor to attend on me.
Act 2 scene 1
Gaunt: This blessed plot, this earth, this realm, this England.
Gaunt: Landlord of England art thou and not king.
Richard: The ripest fruit first falls.
Gaunt: "This royal throne of Kings, this sceptred isle, this earth of majesty, this seat of Mars, this
other Eden, demi-paradise"
Highlights the pride of England
Affliction between monarchy and religion
Gaunt: "England...is now bound with shame"
Reputation is important (link to Othello)
Richard brought shame on England
Truth revealed - Gaunt's hatred
Act 2 scene 2
Grene: "The banished Bullingbrooke repeals himself, and with uplifted arms is safe arrived at
Ravenspurgh"
Threat to Richard is near - downfall is inevitable
Plosive 'banished Bullingbrooke' adds to threat - harsh sounds show his dominance
Act 3 scene 3
Bullingbrooke: [rising] "As I was banished, I was banished Her'ford, but as I come, I come for
Lancaster"
Bullingbrooke presented as powerful
Cunning and intelligent - threat to Richard
Bullingbrooke: [throwing down his gage]
Formal challenge
Presents his anger and desire to prove innocence
Changes the direction of the scene
Mowbray: "slander of his blood how God and good men hate so foul a liar"
Highlights the key theme of deception
Links to religion - God = the ultimate judge
Richard: "Forget, forgive, conclude and be agreed; our doctors say this is no month to bleed"
Richard seen as easy and soft because he doesn't want to fight (lack of masculinity)
Act of intelligence as he is covering up his wrongdoing
Richard: We were not born to sue, but to command.
Act 1 scene 3
Mowbray: "Both to defend my loyalty and truth to God, my King, and my succeeding issue"
God ranked above the King - damages Richard's ego
Truth = key theme in tragedy (links to Othello)
Theme of loyalty
'A charge is sounded. Before the combat can begin, the King throws down his baton'
The audience have been built up, but the anticipated fight doesn't happen (structure)
Richard viewed as weak/soft - feminine
Could highlight his guilt
King Richard: Why uncle, thou hast many years to live.
Gaunt: But not a minute, king, that thou canst give.
Mowbray: The language I have learnt these forty years,
My native English, now I must forgo;
And now my tongue’s use is to me no more
Than an unstringèd viol or a harp,
Or like a cunning instrument cased up,
Or, being open, put into his hands
, That knows no touch to tune the harmony.
Within my mouth you have enjailed my tongue,
Doubly portcullised with my teeth and lips,
And dull unfeeling barren ignorance
Is made my jailor to attend on me.
Act 2 scene 1
Gaunt: This blessed plot, this earth, this realm, this England.
Gaunt: Landlord of England art thou and not king.
Richard: The ripest fruit first falls.
Gaunt: "This royal throne of Kings, this sceptred isle, this earth of majesty, this seat of Mars, this
other Eden, demi-paradise"
Highlights the pride of England
Affliction between monarchy and religion
Gaunt: "England...is now bound with shame"
Reputation is important (link to Othello)
Richard brought shame on England
Truth revealed - Gaunt's hatred
Act 2 scene 2
Grene: "The banished Bullingbrooke repeals himself, and with uplifted arms is safe arrived at
Ravenspurgh"
Threat to Richard is near - downfall is inevitable
Plosive 'banished Bullingbrooke' adds to threat - harsh sounds show his dominance
Act 3 scene 3
Bullingbrooke: [rising] "As I was banished, I was banished Her'ford, but as I come, I come for
Lancaster"
Bullingbrooke presented as powerful
Cunning and intelligent - threat to Richard
