King Richard II And Sonry V Comparison

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Though King Richard II and King Henry V are both highly theatrical figures in their public performance as kings, both monarchs exemplify different “fictions of kingship.” In the two plays, Shakespeare effectively conveys divergent means by which a king can be a bad and tyrannical leader and by which a king can be a good and just leader. King Richard II proves to be an unsuccessful ruler, because he is too preoccupied with his own wants and desires and shows no redeeming qualities of suitable king. Contrarily, King Henry V proves to be a successful ruler, for his motives and actions are driven by politics and the overall well being of the common folk. While both monarchs are men of words, they use their rhetoric for profoundly different purposes. In contrasting the two men, it can be seen with clarity the distinguishing characteristics that separate the two kings from one another. In Richard II, Shakespeare portrays King Richard II as an unreliable leader. Richard II is highly self-absorbed and neglects to take the common folk into account when making decisions. Because of his narcissism, Richard disregards the consequences of his actions. One of King Richard’s main concerns in the play stems from his desire to acquire John of Gaunt’s possessions shortly after he passes, saying, “Think what you will, we seize into our hands / His plate, his goods, his money, and his lands” (2.1.209-210). Richard demonstrates his relentless motives to obtain Gaunt’s material possessions and land as he persistently insists on doing so even after the Duke of York expresses his reluctance. He showcases his unjustly actions, as well, for he conspires to take the possessions of his uncle that are rightfully Bolingbroke’s, for John of Gaunt is Bo... ... middle of paper ... ... sheds his blood with me / Shall be my brother… And hold their manhoods cheap whiles any speaks / That fought with us upon Saint Crispin’s Day” (4.3.58-67). Henry produces strong prose that sets the tone of a victor’s fantasy and gives his soldiers the incentive to fight, for he emphasizes that the battle will give them an accomplishment to be proud of and honored to be a part of. He also invokes the idea of brotherhood, taking away the hierarchy and placing himself on the same level as his soldiers. Shakespeare’s intentions towards the portrayal of both kings are apparent, and he is able to successfully convey the contrast between the noble King Henry V and the notorious King Richard II. Both kings are very dissimilar from one another and it is essential to compare the two in order to distinguish the characteristics that are necessary to be a honorable ruler.

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