Shakespeare, Richard II - Essay Example

He also was able to take over his troops and part of his staff. Richard II said that if Bolingbrook served God that Richard II would serve Bolingbrook but if Bolingbrook did anything wrong to the people that Richard II couldnt make peace with the taking of the crown. "Cry woe, destruction, ruin, and decay: The worst is death, and death will have his day" (Richard, III, ii) Loosing his subjects was doing wrong by them. Richard II was giving an ultimatum to Bolingbrook that he could never take over.

In the following soliloquy, he speaks of all his had lost. He used the metaphor of what he had lost is as though he and the few people who with him were in their grave. "Lets talk of graves, of worms, and epitaphs" (Richard, III, ii) All they have left which belongs to them is death. This is an oxymoron. We all face death whether we are rich or poor. Shakespeare is showing the stupidity of the rich and of royalty. As with other kings, each has his own personal story of death. Each king is human.

"For Gods sake let us sit upon the ground / And tell sad stories of the death of kings!" (Richard, III, ii) He shows that he is discouraged and intimidated by the events that have happened. He is also showing another side where he is comparing the godlike quality of kings. He is saying that even though they are kings they still have a specific story related to death thus making them human. Thus, it can be assumed that they are human as all classes of society. Shakespeare is making another comment about the different social classes "My father hath a power; inquire of him and learn to make a body of limb" (Duke of Aumerle, III,ii) This is a metaphor used to indicated family lineage and then that the body can be bent.

His fathers power can form him into anything. "To insinuate, flatter, bow, and bend my limbs."(Richard,IV,i) The tree has limbs which are bent. A body has limbs which can be bent.