Publisher's Synopsis
The Tragedy of King Richard II is a play written by William Shakespeare and first published in 1597. The play is set in England during the late 14th century and tells the story of King Richard II, who is deposed by his cousin Henry Bolingbroke, who later becomes King Henry IV. The play explores themes of power, authority, and the consequences of political ambition.The play begins with Richard II's reign in turmoil. He is a weak and ineffective ruler who is more interested in his own pleasure than the welfare of his people. Bolingbroke, who has been banished by Richard, returns to England to reclaim his inheritance and challenge Richard's authority. Bolingbroke's rebellion gains momentum and he eventually defeats Richard in battle, forcing him to abdicate the throne.The play is known for its complex characters, particularly Richard II, who is portrayed as a tragic figure. The play also features memorable speeches, including Richard's famous soliloquy in Act III, Scene 2, which begins with the line ""I have been studying how I may compare this prison where I live unto the world.""Overall, The Tragedy of King Richard II is a powerful exploration of political power, ambition, and the consequences of unchecked authority. It remains a popular play in the Shakespearean canon and is studied and performed around the world.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.
