Richard II Lesson Plan

How does Act IV parallel the play's opening scene?

This scene opens as a direct mimic of the opening scene of the play. Bolingbroke must now contend with the same dissension that he originally forced Richard to deal with.

The throwing down of gages, the king's inability to contain the disorder, and Bolingbroke's finally giving in and promising to allow the men a trial day all parallel Richard at the beginning of the play.

In Act IV, at the nadir of his reign, how do Richard's oratory skills change?

Richard, now utterly alone, transforms into a tremendously powerful orator. He continues to compare himself with Christ, saying, "So Judas did to Christ. But...