# Scene II explained — Richard II

> Chapter companion for Richard II by William Shakespeare.

## What happens

Queen Isabel expresses a deep, nameless sorrow despite Bushy's attempts to console her. Green arrives with news that Bolingbroke has landed at Ravenspurgh with an army, and many nobles, including Northumberland, Percy, Ross, and Willoughby, have joined him. The Duke of York arrives, overwhelmed by the crisis and the news of the Duchess of Gloucester's death. He struggles to decide between loyalty to King Richard and sympathy for Bolingbroke. Bushy, Green, and Bagot part ways, uncertain if they will meet again.

## Themes in this chapter

### Grief and Mortality

The Queen's nameless woe and York's reaction to the Duchess's death highlight the pervasive grief and mortality in the realm.

### Loyalty and Betrayal

The defection of nobles and York's internal conflict between duty to the king and kinship with Bolingbroke underscore themes of loyalty and betrayal.

### Order and Chaos

York's despair over the disordered state of affairs and the kingdom's instability reflects the breakdown of order.

## Character check-ins

### Queen Isabel

Suffers from a premonition of sorrow beyond Richard's departure; learns of Bolingbroke's invasion and despairs.

### Sir John Bushy

Attempts to comfort the Queen with philosophical reasoning; later plans to flee to Bristol Castle.

### Sir Henry Green

Brings news of Bolingbroke's return and the defection of nobles; decides to take refuge at Bristol Castle.

### Sir William Bagot

Chooses to go to Ireland to join King Richard; expresses foreboding that they may never meet again.

### Duke of York

Arrives burdened with the crisis, learns of the Duchess of Gloucester's death, and is torn between loyalty to Richard and kinship with Bolingbroke.

## Key lines

> Each substance of a grief hath twenty shadows, Which shows like grief itself, but is not so; For sorrow’s eye, glazed with blinding tears, Divides one thing entire to many objects;

Every real grief has many false appearances that seem like grief but aren't, because sorrow distorts perception.

_Bushy tries to convince the Queen that her fears are imaginary shadows of real grief._

> The banish’d Bolingbroke repeals himself, And with uplifted arms is safe arrived At Ravenspurgh.

The exiled Bolingbroke has returned on his own authority and landed safely at Ravenspurgh with an army.

_Green delivers the critical news of Bolingbroke's invasion._

> Comfort’s in heaven; and we are on the earth, Where nothing lives but crosses, cares and grief.

Comfort belongs to heaven; on earth we only experience troubles, worries, and sorrow.

_York expresses his despair and the grim reality of the situation._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/richard_ii_se/chapters/act-ii-scene-ii
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/richard_ii_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/richard_ii_se/chapters