Act 1 Scene 1 Play starts in media res with conflict. Mowbray is accused of plotting Glouchester’s death
by Bolingbroke. Richard tries to assert his rule over aggressive Mowbray and Bolingbroke but is instead
presented as weak and emasculated. They refuse to reconcile so Richard arranges for their “lives shall
answer to it at Coventry upon Saint Lambert’s Day”.
Setting= Windsor Castle.
Bolingbroke and Mowbray are described as “full of ire in rage deaf as the sea, hasty as fire”
Bolingbroke and Mowbray have appeared to “appeal each other of high treason”
Bolingbroke accuses Mowbray saying “thou art a traitor and a miscreant”
Mowbray replies enraged “I do defy him and I spit at him, call him a slanderous coward and a villain”
Bolingbroke says “that all the treasons for these eighteen years... fetch from false Mowbray their first
head and spring”
Bolingbroke clarifies his charge that Mowbray “did plot the Duke of Gloucester’s death and …. sluic’d out
his innocent soul through streams of blood”. Sibilance reflects sinister nature of the accusations.
Richard assures Mowbray “impartial are our eyes and ears” and that “by my sceptre’s awe I make a
vow” to hear his case equally. “He is our subject. Mowbray; so art thou”.
Mowbray denies Bolingbroke's accusations but admits to his “trespass” of once laying “an ambush” for
Gaunt’s “life” ie plotting to kill Gaunt.
Richard tries to assert power and solve the situation diplomatically - “wrath-kindl’d gentlemen, be rul’d
by me. Let’s purge this choler without letting blood”. “Forget forgive conclude and be agreed. Our
doctors say this is no month to bleed”.
Implied stage direction of Mowbray kneeling at Richard’s “foot” as he says “my life thou shalt command
but not my shame”. Mowbray refuses Richard’s orders of throwing down Northumberland’s gage.
Mowbray uses very emotive language to convey the disgrace he feels : “I am disgraced, impeached and
baffled here”.
Richard seems impatient and concludes that “we were not born to sue but to command” and since
Mowbray and Bolingbroke are adamant on proving their cause through a duel, Richard decides the duel
will take place at Coventry on St Lamberth’s day.
Act 1 Scene 2 The Duchess of Gloucester pleads with John of Gaunt to avenge the murder of her
husband but Gaunt confesses he cannot disobey the King.
Setting= Gaunt’s house
,The Duchess of Gloucester grieves to Gaunt that “my Gloucester, one vial full of Edward’s sacred blood...
is hack’d down”. She appeals to Gaunt to "venge my Gloucester’s death” saying that “his blood was
thine” .
Gaunt tacitly acknowleges Richard’s involvement in Gloucester’s death but says he is powerless to do
anything about it due to Divine Right. “His deputy anointed in His sight, hath caus’d his death”. “I may
never lift an angry arm against his minister”.
The Duchess replies helplessly “where then, alas may I complain myself?” and Gaunt tells her to pray to
God for her revenge.
Gaunt prepares to leave for Coventry and the Duchess announces that “desolate desolate will I hence
and die, the last leave of thee takes me weeping eye”.
Act 1 Scene 3. Richard stops the duel and banishes Mowbray and Bolingbroke.
Setting = Coventry
Richard arrives onstage with ceremonial presence : “Trumpets sound, enter Richard with his nobles” in
preparation for the duel.
Bolingbroke and Mowbray enter dressed in “arms” and “habiliments of war”
Bolingbroke shows allegiance to Richard by bowing “his knee before his majesty” and seeking to “kiss
my sovereign’s hand”. Richard’s response is to “descend and fold him in our arms” as it is implied that
they hug.
Bolingbroke is presented as brave as he delivers an assured monologue declaring he is prepared for
potential death. “As confident as is the falcon’s flight against a bird I do with Mowbray fight”. He
repeatedly summons divine strength : “mine innocency and Saint George to thrive”.
Richard stops the duel just as the charge sounds to begin it. “The king hath thrown his warder down”.
There is then a “long flourish” as he goes to discuss with his advisors.
Richard announces that Mowbray and Bolingbroke’s “civil wounds” pose a threat to the “fair peace” of
England for which they are “banish[ed] from our territories”. “Upon pain of life” Bolingbroke is banished
for 10 years and Mowbray receives a “heavier doom” as he is “never to return” to England ( exiled for
life).
Bolingbroke accepts his punishment calmly : “Your will be done.” “This must my comfort be : that sun
that warms you here shall shine on me”.
This is in contrast to Mowbray who delivers a long speech pitying that “heavy sentence” “robs” him
“from breathing native breath”.
, Richard shows Mowbray no sympathy : “It boots not thee to be compassionate” and makes them
“swear” an “oath” that they will never “plot contrive or complot” against him or England. Shows
Richard’s fear of unrest and conspiracy.
Mowbray exits after refusing to confess to Bolingbroke’s charges. Richard immediately says that he has
“plucked four away” from Bolingbroke’s exile because of how “grieved” Gaunt looks. His fickleness is
shown : “four lagging winters... end in a word, such is the breath of kings”.
Gaunt and Bolingbroke both say goodbye with sadness and Bolingbroke declares “farewell” to
“England’s ground”, calling it “my mother and my nurse”.
Act 1 Scene 4. Richard hears that Gaunt is dying as he plans to fund the Irish War
Setting= The Court.
Scene opens with Richard and his favourites. Aumerle describes Bolingbroke’s journey to exile and how he has no
sympathy for him.
Richard then makes fun our “our cousin” Bolingbroke and his “courtship to the common people” and how he “did
seem to dive into their hearts with humble and familiar courtesy” saying “thanks, my countrymen, my loving friends”.
He is bitter over Bolingbroke’s popularity : “as were.... he our subject’s next degree in hope”.
Green then tells Richard that there is no point talking of Bolingbroke anymore because “expedient
manage must be made” for the “rebels which stand out in Ireland”. Richard replies that “our coffers”
“are grown somewhat light” due to “too great a court and liberal largesse”. They must therefore “farm
our royal realm”.
Bushy enters bringing news that “Gaunt is grievous sick” and has requested to speak with Richard.
Richard wishes a speedy death on Gaunt: “help him to his grave immediately” “the lining of his coffers
shall make coats... for these Irish wars”
They swear “amen” and hope that by the time they arrive at Gaunt’ s house it is already “too late” and
that he is dead.
Act 2 Scene 1= Gaunt’s prophesy and death. Richard seizes his wealth despite York’s warning and heads
for Ireland. Northumberland begins plotting.
Setting= Ely House.
Scene opens with Gaunt telling York that he wants to give some dying “wholesome counsel” to the
“unstaid King in his youth”. York tells him not to bother because “all in vain comes counsel to his ear”.
Gaunt hopes that because he is dying Richard may listen to him this time : “my death’s sad tale may yet
undeaf his ear”. York replies that Richard’s ear is “stopped with other flattering sounds”.
by Bolingbroke. Richard tries to assert his rule over aggressive Mowbray and Bolingbroke but is instead
presented as weak and emasculated. They refuse to reconcile so Richard arranges for their “lives shall
answer to it at Coventry upon Saint Lambert’s Day”.
Setting= Windsor Castle.
Bolingbroke and Mowbray are described as “full of ire in rage deaf as the sea, hasty as fire”
Bolingbroke and Mowbray have appeared to “appeal each other of high treason”
Bolingbroke accuses Mowbray saying “thou art a traitor and a miscreant”
Mowbray replies enraged “I do defy him and I spit at him, call him a slanderous coward and a villain”
Bolingbroke says “that all the treasons for these eighteen years... fetch from false Mowbray their first
head and spring”
Bolingbroke clarifies his charge that Mowbray “did plot the Duke of Gloucester’s death and …. sluic’d out
his innocent soul through streams of blood”. Sibilance reflects sinister nature of the accusations.
Richard assures Mowbray “impartial are our eyes and ears” and that “by my sceptre’s awe I make a
vow” to hear his case equally. “He is our subject. Mowbray; so art thou”.
Mowbray denies Bolingbroke's accusations but admits to his “trespass” of once laying “an ambush” for
Gaunt’s “life” ie plotting to kill Gaunt.
Richard tries to assert power and solve the situation diplomatically - “wrath-kindl’d gentlemen, be rul’d
by me. Let’s purge this choler without letting blood”. “Forget forgive conclude and be agreed. Our
doctors say this is no month to bleed”.
Implied stage direction of Mowbray kneeling at Richard’s “foot” as he says “my life thou shalt command
but not my shame”. Mowbray refuses Richard’s orders of throwing down Northumberland’s gage.
Mowbray uses very emotive language to convey the disgrace he feels : “I am disgraced, impeached and
baffled here”.
Richard seems impatient and concludes that “we were not born to sue but to command” and since
Mowbray and Bolingbroke are adamant on proving their cause through a duel, Richard decides the duel
will take place at Coventry on St Lamberth’s day.
Act 1 Scene 2 The Duchess of Gloucester pleads with John of Gaunt to avenge the murder of her
husband but Gaunt confesses he cannot disobey the King.
Setting= Gaunt’s house
,The Duchess of Gloucester grieves to Gaunt that “my Gloucester, one vial full of Edward’s sacred blood...
is hack’d down”. She appeals to Gaunt to "venge my Gloucester’s death” saying that “his blood was
thine” .
Gaunt tacitly acknowleges Richard’s involvement in Gloucester’s death but says he is powerless to do
anything about it due to Divine Right. “His deputy anointed in His sight, hath caus’d his death”. “I may
never lift an angry arm against his minister”.
The Duchess replies helplessly “where then, alas may I complain myself?” and Gaunt tells her to pray to
God for her revenge.
Gaunt prepares to leave for Coventry and the Duchess announces that “desolate desolate will I hence
and die, the last leave of thee takes me weeping eye”.
Act 1 Scene 3. Richard stops the duel and banishes Mowbray and Bolingbroke.
Setting = Coventry
Richard arrives onstage with ceremonial presence : “Trumpets sound, enter Richard with his nobles” in
preparation for the duel.
Bolingbroke and Mowbray enter dressed in “arms” and “habiliments of war”
Bolingbroke shows allegiance to Richard by bowing “his knee before his majesty” and seeking to “kiss
my sovereign’s hand”. Richard’s response is to “descend and fold him in our arms” as it is implied that
they hug.
Bolingbroke is presented as brave as he delivers an assured monologue declaring he is prepared for
potential death. “As confident as is the falcon’s flight against a bird I do with Mowbray fight”. He
repeatedly summons divine strength : “mine innocency and Saint George to thrive”.
Richard stops the duel just as the charge sounds to begin it. “The king hath thrown his warder down”.
There is then a “long flourish” as he goes to discuss with his advisors.
Richard announces that Mowbray and Bolingbroke’s “civil wounds” pose a threat to the “fair peace” of
England for which they are “banish[ed] from our territories”. “Upon pain of life” Bolingbroke is banished
for 10 years and Mowbray receives a “heavier doom” as he is “never to return” to England ( exiled for
life).
Bolingbroke accepts his punishment calmly : “Your will be done.” “This must my comfort be : that sun
that warms you here shall shine on me”.
This is in contrast to Mowbray who delivers a long speech pitying that “heavy sentence” “robs” him
“from breathing native breath”.
, Richard shows Mowbray no sympathy : “It boots not thee to be compassionate” and makes them
“swear” an “oath” that they will never “plot contrive or complot” against him or England. Shows
Richard’s fear of unrest and conspiracy.
Mowbray exits after refusing to confess to Bolingbroke’s charges. Richard immediately says that he has
“plucked four away” from Bolingbroke’s exile because of how “grieved” Gaunt looks. His fickleness is
shown : “four lagging winters... end in a word, such is the breath of kings”.
Gaunt and Bolingbroke both say goodbye with sadness and Bolingbroke declares “farewell” to
“England’s ground”, calling it “my mother and my nurse”.
Act 1 Scene 4. Richard hears that Gaunt is dying as he plans to fund the Irish War
Setting= The Court.
Scene opens with Richard and his favourites. Aumerle describes Bolingbroke’s journey to exile and how he has no
sympathy for him.
Richard then makes fun our “our cousin” Bolingbroke and his “courtship to the common people” and how he “did
seem to dive into their hearts with humble and familiar courtesy” saying “thanks, my countrymen, my loving friends”.
He is bitter over Bolingbroke’s popularity : “as were.... he our subject’s next degree in hope”.
Green then tells Richard that there is no point talking of Bolingbroke anymore because “expedient
manage must be made” for the “rebels which stand out in Ireland”. Richard replies that “our coffers”
“are grown somewhat light” due to “too great a court and liberal largesse”. They must therefore “farm
our royal realm”.
Bushy enters bringing news that “Gaunt is grievous sick” and has requested to speak with Richard.
Richard wishes a speedy death on Gaunt: “help him to his grave immediately” “the lining of his coffers
shall make coats... for these Irish wars”
They swear “amen” and hope that by the time they arrive at Gaunt’ s house it is already “too late” and
that he is dead.
Act 2 Scene 1= Gaunt’s prophesy and death. Richard seizes his wealth despite York’s warning and heads
for Ireland. Northumberland begins plotting.
Setting= Ely House.
Scene opens with Gaunt telling York that he wants to give some dying “wholesome counsel” to the
“unstaid King in his youth”. York tells him not to bother because “all in vain comes counsel to his ear”.
Gaunt hopes that because he is dying Richard may listen to him this time : “my death’s sad tale may yet
undeaf his ear”. York replies that Richard’s ear is “stopped with other flattering sounds”.
