The parallel and inextricable link between the fall of King Richard to the rise of the new and innovative King Henry, present a significant investigation of power and betrayal of those who wield it and those who desire it. (Queensland Theatre Company) Written in the late 15th century, William Shakespeare provides a detailed study of kingship and supremacy, which is clearly displayed in the first few opening scenes. The play begins with a dispute between nobles Bolingbrook and Mowbray, who are subsequently sentenced to banishment; Bolingbrook for 6 years and Mowbray for life.
Incredibly upset, Bolingbrooks father, John of Gaunt, becomes emotionally ill before dying of a broken heart, leaving King Richard with Bolingbrooks inheritance within his sight. At this point in the play, the Duke of York warns Richard of the consequences of seizing Bolingbrooks inheritance: If you do wrongfully seize Herfords rights You pluck a thousand dangers on your head, You loose a thousand well-disposed hearts (2. 2. 201205-6) On Richards absence to Ireland, York is left behind to manage his kingdom. However, his first regal task is prompted by news of Bolingbrooks return to England which motivates York to prepare for war.
God for His mercy! What a tide of woes Comes rushing on this woeful land at once! I know not what to do. I would to God, So my untruth had not provoked him to do it, The king had cut my head off with my brothers. What, are there no posts dispatched for Ireland? How shall we do for money for these wars? Come, sister cousin I would say, pray pardon me. Go, fellow, get thee home. Provide some carts And bring away the armour that is there. [Exit Servingman] Gentlemen, will you go muster men? If I know how or which way to order these affairs Thus disorderly thrust into my hands Never believe me. Both are my kinsmen.
Tone is my sovereign, whom both my oath And Duty bids defend; tother again Is my kinsman, whom the king hath wronged, Whom conscience and my kindred bids to right. Well, somewhat we must do. Come, cousin. Ill dispose of you. Gentlemen, go muster up your men And meet me presently at Berkeley Castle. I should to Plashy too, But time will not permit. All is uneven And everything is left at six and seven. (2. 2. 98-121) York begins the task of mustering loyal supporters to defy the invasion of Bolingbrook. Speaking to his servingman, a most disturbed and indecisive York lacks confidence in his protection towards the throne from Bolingbrooks army:
God for His mercy! What a tide of woes Comes rushing on this woeful land at once(2. 2. 98-100) This realm of insecurity dawns upon York, as he is worried about the safety of his people, leaving him nervous and not knowing what to do. From here, York queries what is right and what is wrong, stating he belief that Richard killed Gloucester, The king had cut of my head with my brothersAt this point in the speech, York is concerned with matters of raising troops and the necessary money to go forth with the fight against Bolingbrooks return:
What, are there no posts dispatched for Ireland? How shall we do for money for these wars(2. 2. 103-104) Yorks orders his servingman to depart home and collect every source of armour available and return at once: Go, fellow, get thee homeAnd bring away the armour that is there(2. 2. 106-107) This extraordinary part in the scene increases tension on York in his caretaker role, stepping him up onto the front line.
Considering his old age, Yorks mind is kept in confusion, as he is unable make firm designations to his servingman, which uncertainly displays his indecisive state of mind: If I know how or which way to order these affairs Thus disorderly thrust into my hands Never believe me. (2. 2. 109-111) During this drama, the Duke of York acts as a kind of weather vain. His dilemma lies in conflicting loyalties: to Richard, his anointed king, he owes absolute fidelity; to Bolingbrook, he owes faithfulness as to a man treated unjustly by a lighthearted, irresponsible monarch.
With the two demands creating conflict, York finds it hard to decide whether to go in favor of Richard or Bolingbrook: Both are my kinsmen. Tone is my sovereign, whom both my oath And Duty bids defend; tother again Is my kinsman, whom the king hath wronged, Whom conscience and my kindred bids to right(2. 2. 111-115) As the seed of Bolingbrooks unsurprising return is planted, York finally directs his servingsman away to muster up other men, who can help in the fight against Bolingbrook. Gentlemen, go muster up your men(2. 2. 7)
At this disordered point in the play, bitter resentment is smoldering amongst Richards subjects as the situation becomes severely intense: But time will not permit. All is uneven And everything is left at six and seven. (2. 2. 120-121) Shakespeare uses various language elements, which emerge as a fundamental part, when upholding the main theme of treachery. In the novel, the presentation of inner meanings and qualities direct the reader to think openly about what Shakespeares story line is try to convey; taking the reader into a new dimension.
On the continuation of the scene, the last words of York make it obviously clear that that there is no hope of any real resistance against Bolingbrook as he flees with the queen to Berkeley Castle. At a deeper level, the last three remaining representatives, Bushy, Bagot and Green, present a picture of expedience and cowardly actions as they prepare to join King Richard in Ireland. As the scene concludes, situations around York become very unsteady as the forces of good against the evil opponents create an atmosphere of discomfort, placing everything at six and seven.