Richard's Character in Holinshed
Julia Snider
Though it is not as evident in the play as it is the source texts, Richard is reported to have been cruel to his subjects. It is mentioned in Act 2 Scene 1 that he taxes his subjects and the other nobles heavily, which has caused him to lose their favor. In the chronicles Holinshed and Hall, two sixteenth-century historians, discontent with heavy taxation sparked the Peasant Revolt of 1381 earlier in his reign, so it is no surprise that another rebellion occurs from within the court later.
Shakespeare’s unsteady treatment of Richard’s character is also due to the different source texts he utilized. Holinshed’s Chronicles of England, Scotland, and Ireland presents the monarch in an accurate way, but it draws heavily upon Thomas Walsingham’s account of him. Walsingham (not to be confused with the Thomas Walsingham of the Elizabethan era) was a chronicler in the late middle ages who gave a most critical account of Richard’s reign.
Though his poorer traits are exaggerated to some extent by Shakespeare, Holinshed makes some comments in regard to Richard’s character that give evidence of his behavior. He says "He was prodigall, ambitious, and much giuen to the pleasure of the bodie" (Holinshed, 508). In regards to his sexuality , Holinshed states that "there reigned abundantlie the filthie sinne of leacherie and fornication, with abhominable adulterie, speciallie in the king" (Holinshed, 508).
He also speaks of his bravery and wise decision to give up his title:
Shakespeare’s unsteady treatment of Richard’s character is also due to the different source texts he utilized. Holinshed’s Chronicles of England, Scotland, and Ireland presents the monarch in an accurate way, but it draws heavily upon Thomas Walsingham’s account of him. Walsingham (not to be confused with the Thomas Walsingham of the Elizabethan era) was a chronicler in the late middle ages who gave a most critical account of Richard’s reign.
Though his poorer traits are exaggerated to some extent by Shakespeare, Holinshed makes some comments in regard to Richard’s character that give evidence of his behavior. He says "He was prodigall, ambitious, and much giuen to the pleasure of the bodie" (Holinshed, 508). In regards to his sexuality , Holinshed states that "there reigned abundantlie the filthie sinne of leacherie and fornication, with abhominable adulterie, speciallie in the king" (Holinshed, 508).
He also speaks of his bravery and wise decision to give up his title:
His chance verelie was greatlie infortunate, which fell into such calamitie, that he tooke it for the best waie he could deuise to renounce his kingdome . . But such misfortune (or the like) oftentimes falleth vnto those princes, which, when they are aloft, cast no doubt for perils that may follow (Holinshed, 507-509).
Lastly, there is no evidence in Holinshed’s Chronicles that Richard behaved in a fashion akin to what is displayed in the play. In fact, Holinshed states that "He was seemelie of shape and fauor, & of good nature inough, if the wickednesse & naughtie demeanor of such as were about him had not altered it" (Holinshed, 507).