Richard II Research Paper

What makes a good king? In Shakespeare's play Richard II, the topic of kingship is explored through the conflict between Bolingbroke and Richard II. Once the conflict is resolved, via Richard's death, Bolingbroke is faced with a new crisis concerning his wanton son. Through King Henry IV's concern for his son, Shakespeare examines public perception of kingship. This essay will focus on the role of kingship, the importance of cultural capital, and the potential character foreshadowing of Henry IV's son. Defining what makes a king is an integral part of Richard II and the central point of Bolingbroke's claim to the throne, the context of which is important to understanding Henry IV's concerns for his son. Throughout the play, Shakespeare investigates the divide between two forms of thought on kingship, Richard's divine right of kings versus Henry's cultural capital. Henry IV usurped the throne from Richard II, negating any claim he could possibly
He maneuvers around the political game with relative ease and utilizes his charisma to his advantage in winning the hearts of the public. So what happens when the king cannot control his own son? This is perhaps why this scene is so strange because it shows a rare vulnerability to his crown and reflects poorly on him as the king. Not seeing his son for three months, while he's gallivanting around with a questionable crew to disreputable places, shows a lack of control on King Henry IV's behalf. Quite, in fact, similar to Richard II's control over the nobles at the beginning of the play. It also characterizes Henry IV's son as irresponsible and reckless, which for a potential king is not even remotely a good sign. Especially when your own father is comparing your behavior to a plague that hangs over him. This could lead to a point of contention between father and son, or ultimately attribute to losing the crown for either of