Richard II: The Test of Identity
Recapping of Last Class: Or, Siting/Sighting
Richard II
A characterization of the High Renaissance
sensibility:
• an at once secure belief in a stable order or “Chain
of Being” (everything in its place)
• and--at any moment--a radical, "perspectural"
destabilization, a complete openness to reinterpretation of the world, to a consciousness of
"representation" as a mask, as mere words, as
play rather than state
– E.g., The Ambassadors, Hans Holbein (1533)
Today, let’s begin with trying to clarify the
identify of characters in the play.
How clear are you on the relationships
between people in Richard II?
A) Crystal Clear
B) Mostly Clear
C) Somewhat Murky
D) Very Murky
Who is not related to Richard II?
A)
B)
C)
D)
E)
John of Gaunt
Duke of York
Duchess of Gloucester
Thomas Mowbray
Henry Bolingbroke
The opening scene: 1.1.1-24
What best describes the language spoken by the
characters in the opening scene of Richard II?
A) Confusing
B) Ceremonial
C) Boring
D) Repetitive
E) Masculine
Why is there such an emphasis on naming?
• Ceremony is about displaying identity
• Ceremony tells you your place in the world,
literally:
• Gaunt is “time honored Lancaster”
• Henry is “Henry Hereford”
• Mowbray is “Duke of Norfolk”
In Sum:
In the Old Order, which is invoked by ordered
ceremony and ritualistic naming at the opening
of Richard II, all beings have their place in a
Chain of Being and can orderly speak their
place and their allegiance to their ruler.
The Question of Truth
But suddenly, there is a question of "truth," of real
identity as distinguished from "maskedness”:
Richard says,
We thank you both; yet one but flatters us
As well appeareth by the cause you come,
Namely to appeal each other of high treason.
(1.1.25-26)
On what basis do Mowbray and Bolingbroke
accuse each other of “high treason”?
The accusations of “high treason” provoke
more ceremonial words and actions:
– Oaths or swearings
• E.g., 1.1.30-46 and 1.1.78-83
– Throwing down and picking up of “gages”
• E.g., 1.1.69-74 and 1.1.145
– And a ceremonial tournament to determine who
speaks truth
• Richard: 1.1.196-205
What statement best states the logic of the
opening play-world whereby a ceremonial
tournament would justly decide who is the
real traitor?
A) Might is right (à la Rambo).
B) God chooses and thus sanctifies the winner.
C) As a social ritual, no matter who wins, a
tournament orderly takes care of the problem.
D) Since one of the accusers loses/dies, the
dispute is resolved.
But Richard stops the test of truth: 1.3.125-73
Why?
A) He doesn’t want English and especially royal
blood spilled.
B) He doesn’t trust either Mowbray or Bolingbroke,
and so doesn’t want either to win and be
sanctioned.
C) He’s fine with aggression at the level of
ceremonial language (words) but not at the level
of ceremonial action (battle).
D) Whoever wins, Richard is implicated.
E) All of the above.
The Consequences of Stopping the
Tournament:
• Mowbray is banished for life.
– with banishment comes loss of selfexpression and repression.
• "Within my mouth you have enjailed my
tongue" (1.3.166, p. 88)
• Bolingbroke is banished for 10 years (reverted to
6 out of sympathy for Gaunt).
– but Bolingbroke very soon returns: 2.1.276288 (pp. 37-38)
Bolingbroke, 3.3.30-60, p. 63
What does Bolingbroke really want?
A)
B)
C)
D)
E)
Restoration of his citizenship and lands
The crown
To serve Richard as a true subject
He doesn’t fully know
A, B, and D
A new order is coming into being in
Richard II that cannot yet be articulated
even by those launching it.
Foreshadowing the new unnamable Order,
Part I:
Recall the Queen’s words to Bushy after Richard
leaves for Ireland:
. . .methinks
Some unborn sorrow ripe in Fortune’s womb
Is coming towards me.
(2.2.9-11)
…………………………………….
But what it is that is not yet known what,
I cannot name; ‘tis nameless woe I wot.
(2.2.39-40)
Foreshadowing the new unnamable Order,
Part 2:
When Green then arrives and informs the Queen
that Bolingbroke has landed in England, the
Queen responds:
So, Green, thou art the midwife to my woe,
And Bolingbroke, my sorrow’s dismal heir;
Now hath my soul brought forth her prodigy,
And I, a gasping, new-delivered mother,
Have woe to woe, sorrow to sorrow, joined.
(2.2.6266)
In Conclusion:
• Bolingbroke is the poster boy for a new world
order. But the image he presents is fuzzy, even
to himself.
• What is the character of the new order? How
can it be named?
• And what happens to Richard in this radically
changing universe where old Chain of Being
values no longer apply?
Stay tuned.