This essay concentrates on the characteristics and behaviours of the banished Henry in King Richard II, in fact on his personal attributes that he shows to return from exile and seize the throne from his cousin Richard as the young and ambitious Duke of Lancaster. By and large it researches which image Henry presents of himself in Shakespeare’s King Richard II. Are there certain ethnical values recognisable in his behaviour that are really important to him? In which way is he dealing with his allies and his enemies? Are there any characteristics noticeable that were clearly necessary for his success against Richard? What are his actual intentions?
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Leadership qualities of Henry Bolingbroke
3. The sensitive side of Henry Bolingbroke
4. The complex relationship with King Richard II
5. The impact of the crown on Henry's character
Objectives & Core Themes
This paper examines how Henry Bolingbroke characterizes himself in William Shakespeare’s play Richard II, analyzing the shift in his identity from a brave, determined rebel to an indecisive and burdened king.
- The construction of leadership qualities such as bravery and battle readiness.
- The tension between Bolingbroke’s public persona and his private, sensitive side.
- The complex political and personal relationship between Bolingbroke and King Richard II.
- The psychological impact of usurping the throne on Bolingbroke's moral certainty.
- The contrast between his persona as a rebel versus his persona as an illegitimate monarch.
Excerpt from the Book
The impact of the crown on Henry's character
With seizing the throne Henry Bolingbroke breaks law and so is not able to uphold his previously shown character to its full extend. The fact that he takes the crown disagrees with the purpose for what he was fighting for. It is the first time that he loses his consistence. When he meets Richard at Flint Castle he declares he comes “for mine own” (3, 3, 196), but when Richard asks “Set on towards London, cousin, is it so?”(208) he cannot resist the lure of being a King and agrees “Yea, my good lord” (209). With seizing the throne he takes a lot of problems with him, which is noticeable in his acting. First of all he jails his cousin Richard. He pardoned his other cousin Aumerle, but in terms of Richard his sympathy for his family lacks. Even if Henry sees rather a dangerous enemy in him than a cousin, he judges unequally, which is a sign for his uneasiness. In fact he shows his uneasiness even more when Exton brings in Richard’s corpse. After Exton heard Henry moaning “Have I no friend will rid me of this living fear?” (5, 4, 2), he wants to do him a favour and murders Richard. It remains a mystery if Henry meant these words literally or if he just wished him death without calling for a murderer. But the fact that he is thinking about it, shows that he changed his moralities. The second problem is that he knows that he is not a king by right because he overturned Richard illegally and has no blood claim to the throne. Kenneth McLeish remarks in his “Longman Guide to Shakespeare’s Characters” that Henry’s “moral certainty collapses” (33). As a result he loses his former characteristic attributes like confidence, strength and determination. Suddenly he presents himself as indecisive king, who has a lot of sorrows and does not know how to lead his country. At the end of the play he presents a rather sad image of himself when he plans a “voyage to the Holy Land, / To wash this blood off from my guilty hand” (5, 4, 49-50)
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: This chapter outlines the focus on Henry Bolingbroke’s self-presentation in Richard II and sets the scope of the investigation into his personal attributes and behaviors.
2. Leadership qualities of Henry Bolingbroke: This section explores Bolingbroke’s initial presentation as an energetic, brave, and strong-willed leader who uses force and decisiveness to address injustices.
3. The sensitive side of Henry Bolingbroke: This chapter highlights the softer, more human side of Henry, particularly his deep affection for his father, John of Gaunt, and his patriotic attachment to England.
4. The complex relationship with King Richard II: This section analyzes the dual nature of Henry’s behavior toward the King, oscillating between the role of a loyal subject and that of a calculated rebel seeking justice.
5. The impact of the crown on Henry's character: This chapter concludes that the act of seizing the throne leads to the collapse of Henry’s moral certainty, transforming his image from a confident rebel into an indecisive and guilt-ridden monarch.
Keywords
Henry Bolingbroke, Richard II, William Shakespeare, Leadership, Usurpation, Moral certainty, Rebellion, King Henry IV, Lancaster Tetralogy, Character analysis, Politics, Power, Justice, Loyalty, Guilt
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the central focus of this academic paper?
The paper focuses on the self-presentation of Henry Bolingbroke in Shakespeare's Richard II, specifically exploring how he characterizes himself through his words and actions.
What are the primary themes discussed?
The main themes include leadership, the complexity of political rebellion, the influence of family loyalty, the moral consequences of usurping power, and the transition from rebel to king.
What is the main research question?
The research seeks to uncover what image Henry presents of himself, identifying his actual intentions and how his character attributes evolve throughout the play.
Which methodology is applied?
The author uses textual analysis of the play, examining Henry’s dialogue, his treatment of other characters, and interpretations of his actions in light of his shifting status.
What is covered in the main body of the work?
The main body examines his leadership qualities, his emotional depth regarding family, his complicated attitude toward Richard II, and his eventual psychological descent after taking the crown.
Which keywords characterize this study?
Key terms include Henry Bolingbroke, Shakespeare, Richard II, power, moral collapse, rebellion, and leadership.
How does Henry's attitude toward Richard change?
Initially, Henry claims to respect Richard's authority and seeks only his own rights, but his successful rebellion and eventual usurpation complicate this stance, leading to guilt and indecisiveness.
Does the author argue that Henry intended to become King from the beginning?
No, the author argues that Henry initially seeks justice rather than power, but his moral resolve collapses once he realizes the lure of the crown and his inability to rule legitimately.
What role does John of Gaunt play in Henry's characterization?
John of Gaunt serves as a focal point for Henry's "soft" side, illustrating his deep respect, love, and potential vulnerability when confronted with family loss.
How does the author characterize the ending of the play for Henry?
The author describes the ending as a presentation of a "sad image" of a king who is haunted by his actions and seeks redemption through a voyage to the Holy Land.
- Citar trabajo
- Manuel Hoffmann (Autor), 2014, Which image does Henry Bolingbroke present of himself in William Shakespeare’s Richard II?, Múnich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/421634
