Richard II · Chapter
Scene I explained
Bolingbroke, York, Northumberland, Ross, Percy, and Willoughby enter with Bushy and Green as prisoners.
What happens
Bolingbroke, York, Northumberland, Ross, Percy, and Willoughby enter with Bushy and Green as prisoners. Bolingbroke accuses them of misleading King Richard, causing discord between the king and queen, and personally suffering under their influence, leading to his banishment. He orders their execution. Bushy and Green accept their fate, hoping for divine justice. Bolingbroke instructs Northumberland to carry out the execution and asks York to ensure the queen is treated kindly. York confirms he has sent letters of Bolingbroke's love to her. The group then departs to fight Glendower.
Themes in this chapter
Loyalty and Betrayal
Bolingbroke accuses Bushy and Green of betraying the king and himself, leading to their execution.
Legitimacy and Usurpation
Bolingbroke's actions and accusations challenge the legitimacy of Richard's rule and assert his own authority.
Characters to notice
- Henry Bolingbroke
Leads the scene, condemns Bushy and Green to death, and orders kind treatment of the queen.
- Duke of York
Accompanies Bolingbroke and confirms he has sent letters to the queen.
- Earl of Northumberland
Ordered by Bolingbroke to oversee the execution of Bushy and Green.
- Sir John Bushy
Prisoner condemned to death; accepts his fate calmly.
- Sir Henry Green
Prisoner condemned to death; expresses hope for divine justice.
Key passages
“You have misled a prince, a royal king, A happy gentleman in blood and lineaments, By you unhappied and disfigured clean”
You have led a noble king astray and ruined his happiness and appearance.
Bolingbroke accuses Bushy and Green of corrupting King Richard.
“Myself, a prince by fortune of my birth, Near to the king in blood, and near in love Till you did make him misinterpret me, Have stoop'd my neck under your injuries, And sigh'd my English breath in foreign clouds, Eating the bitter bread of banishment”
I, a prince by birth and once close to the king, was forced to endure your wrongs and suffer exile.
Bolingbroke describes his own suffering due to Bushy and Green's influence.
“More welcome is the stroke of death to me Than Bolingbroke to England.”
I would rather die than see Bolingbroke return to England.
Bushy expresses his loyalty to Richard and disdain for Bolingbroke.