Less well known than it’s sequels, Henry IV Parts 1 and 2 and Henry V. It plunges straight into the story, with Dick II referring a squabble between Bolingbrooke and Mowbray, which results in both being exiled. Dick isn’t one of the great Shakespeare villains but he pinches the estate of Bolingbroke’s dad, which results in a rebellion and his overthrow. Before he dies, dad (John of Gaunt) has a great speech – the one that includes “this happy breed, this demi-paradise, etc”.
The first half of this story has a lot of pace and energy but the first bit lacks something – heart, a point of view, a truly memorable character. Bolingbroke comes across as a ruthless opportunist – not a goodie or a baddie, really. Then the second half – when the rebellion is basically over and Richard II is stuffed – things change. It becomes less about story and more about character – well, about Richard II. He wails and whines and stamps his feet, it’s not fair, and does a long dummy spit. (If the play had to be summarised in one sentence it might be like this: king makes bad tactical decision, gets overthrown and whinges about it until he’s killed.) Then at the end he disappears and there’s this long section about whether Bolingbroke should pardon this noble – the noble’s mum wants the pardon, dad wants him dead. But Richard comes back to be murdered – an excellent scene. Not a masterpiece but a very good play.
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