LUTHERAN THEOLOGICAL REVIEW - Concordia Lutheran Seminary

BAUE: REDEMPTIVE THEMES IN SHAKESPEARE 11
4. Sloth
“The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes
than seven men who answer discreetly.” (Prov. 25:16)
Richard II
This play deals with the central issue of character in a ruler. King Richard II
is called an “unstaid youth” (II.i.2). That is, he is unrestrained in giving way
to his passions and frivolities. Though he is king of England by legitimate
succession, his neglect of responsibility and abuse of power makes him unfit
to rule. He is eventually deposed.
Prior to the stage action, the Duke of Gloucester has been murdered by
Mowbray, with the collusion of Richard (I.ii). Henry Bullingbrook
challenges Mowbray to a duel, indirectly challenging the King himself. The
fickle King stops the fight, and banishes Henry for six years (I.iii). Richard
enjoys the company of his lowborn friends, and is “basely led / By flatterers”
(II.i.242-43). A rebellion in Ireland arises, but the King finds he has
overspent on court pleasures. He now unwisely leases crown lands.
The noble Duke of Lancaster, old John of Gaunt, Henry’s father, upbraids
Richard for his folly, calling him “too careless” (II.i.97). Richard mocks the
dying man, calling him “a lunatic, lean-witted fool” (II.i.115), and
confiscates his estate to get more money. Rebuked again by the Duke of
York, Richard heedlessly violates his authority by wrongdoing, antagonizing
both nobles and common people, then goes off to fight the Irish. Meanwhile
the banished Henry returns to claim his title and lands.
When Richard returns from Ireland, he crows of immanent victory like an
adolescent. But he soon learns the reality of diminished power: his army
deserts and goes over to Henry. Richard is eloquent in his self-pity: “Let us
sit upon the ground / And tell sad stories of the death of kings” (III.ii.155-
56). Richard is taken captive to London, where he resigns “state and crown /
To Henry” (IV.i.178-79). Now out of power, he is taken to the Tower of
London where he is soon to die. On the way he meets his wife, and in a
poignant exchange finally demonstrates a genuine humility and selfawareness
that had eluded him while King: “I wasted time, and now doth
Time waste me” (V.v.48).
Richard irresponsibly threw away his kingship, but Jesus “took up our
infirmities, and carried our sorrows” (Is. 53:4).