Richard II · Chapter
Scene III explained
At Flint Castle, Bolingbroke and his forces confront King Richard.
What happens
At Flint Castle, Bolingbroke and his forces confront King Richard. Richard descends from the walls, and after a tense exchange, he agrees to return to London with Bolingbroke, effectively surrendering his authority.
Themes in this chapter
Kingship and Divine Right
Richard asserts his divine authority, claiming God will muster armies of pestilence against his enemies, yet he is forced to submit to Bolingbroke.
Legitimacy and Usurpation
Bolingbroke's claim to return only for his inheritance clashes with Richard's position as anointed king, highlighting the tension between legal right and de facto power.
Grief and Mortality
Richard's lamentations about exchanging his kingdom for a grave and his talk of tears and death reflect his profound grief and sense of mortality.
Language and Power
Richard's rhetorical shifts from defiance to submission, and York's insistence on proper titles, demonstrate how language shapes and reflects political authority.
Characters to notice
- King Richard II
Descends from the castle walls, speaks of his grief and loss, and submits to Bolingbroke's demands.
- Henry Bolingbroke
Leads the forces at Flint Castle, kneels to Richard but asserts his claim, and orchestrates Richard's surrender.
- Earl of Northumberland
Acts as intermediary between Bolingbroke and Richard, delivering messages and reporting Richard's state.
- Duke of Aumerle
Stands with Richard on the walls, weeps at Richard's plight, and advises fighting with gentle words.
- Duke of York
Rebukes Northumberland for omitting Richard's title and observes Richard's kingly appearance.
- Henry Percy
Reports that the castle is royally manned and that King Richard is inside.
- Bishop of Carlisle
Present on the walls with Richard, identified as a clergyman of holy reverence.
- Earl of Salisbury
Mentioned as being with Richard at Flint Castle.
Key passages
“Down, down I come; like glistering Phaethon, Wanting the manage of unruly jades.”
I descend like the sun god Phaethon, unable to control his wild horses.
Richard compares his fall from power to the mythological figure who lost control of the sun chariot.
“For do we must what force will have us do.”
We are compelled to do what force demands.
Richard acknowledges his submission to Bolingbroke's superior power.
“I’ll give my jewels for a set of beads, My gorgeous palace for a hermitage, My gay apparel for an almsman’s gown...”
I will exchange my riches and royal status for a humble, religious life.
Richard imagines trading his kingship for a monk's existence, emphasizing his despair.
“What must the king do now? must he submit? The king shall do it: must he be deposed? The king shall be contented:”
What is the king to do now? Must he submit? Yes, he will. Must he be deposed? He will accept it.
Richard rhetorically resigns himself to his fate, using third person to distance himself from his own loss.
