Richard II in the Time of Elizabeth
Julia Snider
There are several parallels between Richard’s reign in the late Middle Ages and Shakespeare’s time in the Elizabethan era. Nigel Saul notes the similarities between Queen Elizabeth and her predecessor and references words supposedly spoken by her after seeing a performance of the play. “"‘I am Richard; know ye not that.’ Evidently, in Shakespeare’s picture of a vain ruler encouraging flatterers and permitting unjust taxation she saw herself" (Saul). He also explains that her subjects would have seen similarities between Bolingbroke and one of Elizabeth’s favorites, the earl of Essex. Only a few years later, Essex would attempt to lead a rebellion against the Queen and her government, but unlike Bolingbroke, he would be executed for treason.
When Shakespeare was writing the Henriadin the 1590’s, Queen Elizabeth was in her sixties. Despite being urged to do so her entire life, she never married and it had become clear that she would produce no legitimate heir to the crown. It was her responsibility to name her successor, but she was reluctant to do so because she feared she would lose power. It can be speculated that Shakespeare used these popular history plays as a reminder of a monarch's ideal qualities. The three kings that this tetralogy surrounds serve as examples: Richard as the unfit king, Henry IV as the usurper, and Henry V as the strong monarch.
Why make these changes to Richard's character? The character of Richard in Shakespeare's play differs little from the Richard presented in the source texts. All the happenings are kept in sequence and no significant changes are made to the events or his personality. According to a scholar writing for Shakespeare Online "it is the small and subtle changes to the chronicles that so effectively reshape the focus of the play from a simple report on history, to a dramatic lesson on the responsibilities of monarchs."
When Shakespeare was writing the Henriadin the 1590’s, Queen Elizabeth was in her sixties. Despite being urged to do so her entire life, she never married and it had become clear that she would produce no legitimate heir to the crown. It was her responsibility to name her successor, but she was reluctant to do so because she feared she would lose power. It can be speculated that Shakespeare used these popular history plays as a reminder of a monarch's ideal qualities. The three kings that this tetralogy surrounds serve as examples: Richard as the unfit king, Henry IV as the usurper, and Henry V as the strong monarch.
Why make these changes to Richard's character? The character of Richard in Shakespeare's play differs little from the Richard presented in the source texts. All the happenings are kept in sequence and no significant changes are made to the events or his personality. According to a scholar writing for Shakespeare Online "it is the small and subtle changes to the chronicles that so effectively reshape the focus of the play from a simple report on history, to a dramatic lesson on the responsibilities of monarchs."