# Scene II explained — Richard II

> Chapter companion for Richard II by William Shakespeare.

## What happens

Richard learns of the execution of Bushy, Green, and the Earl of Wiltshire, and that the Duke of York has joined Bolingbroke. He despairs, meditates on the mortality of kings, and resolves to go to Flint Castle. On the Welsh coast, he salutes his kingdom, but Salisbury reports that the Welsh army has dispersed believing Richard dead. Scroop confirms York's defection, and Richard, overwhelmed, dismisses his followers.

## Themes in this chapter

### Kingship and Divine Right

Richard asserts his divine anointing ('Not all the water in the rough rude sea / Can wash the balm off from an anointed king') and struggles with the loss of his royal identity.

### Grief and Mortality

Richard's speech on the deaths of kings ('Let's talk of graves, of worms and epitaphs') dwells on the inevitability of death and the fragility of power.

### Loyalty and Betrayal

Richard laments the betrayal of his favorites and the defection of York, calling them 'vipers' and 'Judases.'

## Character check-ins

### King Richard II

Learns of his favorites' deaths and York's defection; delivers a philosophical speech on the mortality of kings; resolves to go to Flint Castle.

### Sir Stephen Scroop

Brings news of the executions of Bushy, Green, and Wiltshire, and later reports York's alliance with Bolingbroke.

### Duke of Aumerle

Asks about his father York's forces and tries to comfort Richard.

### Bishop of Carlisle

Advises Richard not to despair and to take action; later reassures him of divine support.

### Earl of Salisbury

Reports that the Welsh army has dispersed, believing Richard dead.

## Key lines

> Let's talk of graves, of worms and epitaphs; Make dust our paper and with rainy eyes Write sorrow on the bosom of the earth.

Let us speak of death and burial, using dust as paper and tears as ink to write our grief upon the ground.

_Richard's despairing turn to thoughts of mortality after learning of his losses._

> Not all the water in the rough rude sea Can wash the balm off from an anointed king; The breath of worldly men cannot depose The deputy elected by the Lord.

No amount of water can wash away the holy oil from a king; mere human words cannot remove a ruler chosen by God.

_Richard's assertion of the divine right of kings, even in the face of rebellion._

## Links

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