Richard II

William Shakespeare, Dr. Barbara A. Mowat, Paul Werstine

• Publisher: Simon & Schuster
• Year: 2015
• Print ISBN: 9780743484916
• eBook ISBN: 9781501128868
• Topic: Literature
• Subtopic: British Drama
• Index: Literature

The authoritative edition of Richard II from The Folger Shakespeare Library, the trusted and widely used Shakespeare series for students and general readers. Shakespeare's Richard II presents a momentous struggle between Richard II and his cousin Henry Bolingbroke. Richard is the legitimate king; he succeeded his grandfather, King Edward III, after the earlier death of his father Edward, the Black Prince. Yet Richard is also seen by many as a tyrant. He toys with his subjects, exiling Bolingbroke for six years.When he seizes the title and property that should be Bolingbroke's, Richard threatens the very structure of the kingdom. Bolingbroke returns with an army that is supported by nobles and commoners alike, both believing themselves oppressed by Richard. This sets the stage for a confrontation between his army and the tradition of sacred kingship supporting the isolated but now more sympathetic Richard.This edition includes:
-Freshly edited text based on the best early printed version of the play
-Full explanatory notes conveniently placed on pages facing the text of the play
-Scene-by-scene plot summaries
-A key to the play's famous lines and phrases
-An introduction to reading Shakespeare's language
-An essay by a leading Shakespeare scholar providing a modern perspective on the play
-Fresh images from the Folger Shakespeare Library's vast holdings of rare books
-An annotated guide to further readingEssay by Harry Berger, Jr.The Folger Shakespeare Library in Washington, DC, is home to the world's largest collection of Shakespeare's printed works, and a magnet for Shakespeare scholars from around the globe. In addition to exhibitions open to the public throughout the year, the Folger offers a full calendar of performances and programs. For more information, visit Folger.edu.

The Tragedy of
RICHARD II

---

ACT 1

<ACT 1>

---

<Scene 1>

Enter King Richard, John of Gaunt, with other Nobles and Attendants.

KING RICHARD
Old John of Gaunt, time-honored Lancaster,	1
Hast thou, according to thy oath and band,	2
Brought hither Henry Hereford, thy bold son,	3
Here to make good the boist’rous late appeal,	4
Which then our leisure would not let us hear,	5
Against the Duke of Norfolk, Thomas Mowbray?	6
GAUNT I have, my liege.	7
KING RICHARD
Tell me, moreover, hast thou sounded him	8
If he appeal the Duke on ancient malice	9
Or worthily, as a good subject should,	10
On some known ground of treachery in him?	11
GAUNT
As near as I could sift him on that argument,	12
On some apparent danger seen in him	13
Aimed at your Highness, no inveterate malice.	14
KING RICHARD
Then call them to our presence.	15

<An Attendant exits.>

Face to face

1...

Table of contents

• Cover
• Editors’ Preface
• Shakespeare’s Richard II
• Reading Shakespeare’s Language: Richard II
• Shakespeare’s Life
• Shakespeare’s Theater
• The Publication of Shakespeare’s Plays
• An Introduction to This Text
• Characters in the Play
• Richard II
• Longer Notes
• Textual Notes
• Richard II: A Modern Perspective by Harry Berger, Jr.
• Further Reading
• Key to Famous Lines and Phrases
• Commentary
• Copyright