Richard II

Richard II Imagery

Suns

As mentioned, the sun is an important symbol in the play, and as such there are numerous descriptions of suns made by both supporters of Richard and supporters of Bolingbroke. Those on Richard's side perceive him as a rising, majestic sun, governing the whole sky as he does the nation of England. Dissenters, however, perceive Richard as a setting sun, obscured by clouds and losing luminosity with every passing minute.

Gardens

Garden imagery in the play is nearly always connected to two concepts: the Biblical Garden of Eden and the health of the nation. The Garden of Eden was an idyllic paradise, and when characters perceive England as prosperous, they make comparisons to this Biblical ideal. By contrast, when characters fear for the health of the nation, they often compare it to a garden overgrown with invasive weeds and no longer maintained by the gardener (in this case, the king).

Physical Appearance

After Richard is deposed, he immediately requests a mirror so that he can look at himself. He is surprised to see that, after experiencing such an extreme loss (the crown), his face shows no new signs of age. When Richard shatters the crown in anger, he suggests to the audience that is emotionally "shattered" by the loss of the crown and wants his physical appearance to reflect those emotions.

Trees and Branches

Along with the garden imagery in the play, Shakespeare also includes a great deal of descriptions of trees and branches. This is appropriate for a history play, in which "family trees" are emblems of political power (Edward III's seven sons are compared to seven branches). The play uses horticultural language throughout to emphasize changes in leadership; words like "uprooting" and "supplanting" become stand-ins for depositions, rebellions, and other conflicts, emphasizing the link among family, politics, and prosperity.

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