How Does Shakespeare Make A Good King

“A single individual who cannot be improved upon is self-evidently the best─for the judgement of such a man can be deployed in the governance of his people, without his ever being criticized” (Herodotus 229). In this passage, Darius introduces his argument for preserving the monarchy. Do either of Shakespeare’s dramaticized kings, Richard and Henry, fit Darius’ paradigm of a monarch, who is perfect and absolute? In Richard II, Shakespeare portrays kingship in two distinct ways. Richard regards his status of king as resulting from God’s deliberate decision. Therefore, as God’s chosen representative, he is above fault and holds an absolute authority here on earth. On the other hand, Henry Bolingbroke acquired his crown through his leadership

In contrast to Richard, Henry Bolingbroke acquired his kingship by impressing the people and displaying exceptional leadership abilities. He is not above criticism and he is responsible for his actions; therefore, his relationship to the people has a more interdependent nature than does Richard’s. In this version of monarchy, the people give Henry Bolingbroke power because he embodies what they seek in a king. Bolingbroke is just a man, not a divinely sanctioned ruler, and he is aware of that. Richard himself observes Bolingbroke’s “courtship to the common people; / How he did seem to dive into their hearts / With humble and familiar courtesy” (1.4.25-27). Richard discerns the strategies Bolingbroke uses to win the favor of the people. He describes Bolingbroke as using reverence on slaves, “wooing poor craftsmen with the craft of smiles,” taking off his bonnet to an “oysterwench,” kneeling to draymen and flattering them with “thanks, my countrymen, my loving friends” (1.4.28-35). The favor Henry courts from the people causes Richard to state that Bolingbroke behaves “as were our England in reversion his, / And he our subjects’ next degree in hope” (1.4.36-37). Accordingly, Richard is relieved to have a reason to banish Bolingbroke from England. Richard is obviously nervous about Bolingbroke’s popularity among the common people. He outwardly presents the situation as one in which he should have no reason for concern because the people have no say in who their king should be, but these remarks display an anxious quality that leaves one wondering what his internal thoughts