A-LEVEL ENGLISH LITERATURE
REVISION
Shakespeare – King Richard II Key Quotes
,“Forget, forgive, conclude and be agree:/ Our doctors say this is no time
to bleed.” [Act 1, Scene 1]
Richard – A1, S1. Richard is trying to persuade Bolingbroke and
Mowbray not to dual – during the opening of the play when
Bolingbroke accuses Mowbray of treason (killing Richard’s uncle,
Woodstock)
Richard is seen as attempting to resolve this calmly without fighting
–Bolingbroke and Mowbray do end up duelling.
Attempting to quell the dispute between Mowbray and Bolingbroke –
accused one another of treason
Richard could be seen as weak
Shakespeare utilises the setting of the royal court to establish
Richard’s monarchical power and ceremonial mastery
Here Shakespeare crafts Richard as a character who attempts to
control his subjects – however, he does not succeed
, Richard fails to appreciate the importance of knightly chivalric code –
a key aspect of medieval court life
Richard’s failure here to respect the values of his subjects is a sign of
his ineptitude as a king throughout the entire play – leads to his
tragic downfall
Shakespeare employs rhymed couples ‘agreed’ and ‘bleed’ –
suggests finality as Richard believes that his word is final and his
subject with obey his orders
Richard’s failure to deal with dispute – tragic mistake- Bolingbroke
will ultimately usurp and depose him
Royal pronoun ‘our’ – crystalises Richard’s unwavering belief in his
own divine right and kingly authority
Use of iambic pentameter and rhyme – creates elevated poetry –
Richard’s tragic magnificence
REVISION
Shakespeare – King Richard II Key Quotes
,“Forget, forgive, conclude and be agree:/ Our doctors say this is no time
to bleed.” [Act 1, Scene 1]
Richard – A1, S1. Richard is trying to persuade Bolingbroke and
Mowbray not to dual – during the opening of the play when
Bolingbroke accuses Mowbray of treason (killing Richard’s uncle,
Woodstock)
Richard is seen as attempting to resolve this calmly without fighting
–Bolingbroke and Mowbray do end up duelling.
Attempting to quell the dispute between Mowbray and Bolingbroke –
accused one another of treason
Richard could be seen as weak
Shakespeare utilises the setting of the royal court to establish
Richard’s monarchical power and ceremonial mastery
Here Shakespeare crafts Richard as a character who attempts to
control his subjects – however, he does not succeed
, Richard fails to appreciate the importance of knightly chivalric code –
a key aspect of medieval court life
Richard’s failure here to respect the values of his subjects is a sign of
his ineptitude as a king throughout the entire play – leads to his
tragic downfall
Shakespeare employs rhymed couples ‘agreed’ and ‘bleed’ –
suggests finality as Richard believes that his word is final and his
subject with obey his orders
Richard’s failure to deal with dispute – tragic mistake- Bolingbroke
will ultimately usurp and depose him
Royal pronoun ‘our’ – crystalises Richard’s unwavering belief in his
own divine right and kingly authority
Use of iambic pentameter and rhyme – creates elevated poetry –
Richard’s tragic magnificence
