# Scene III explained — Richard II

> Chapter companion for Richard II by William Shakespeare.

## 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.

## Character check-ins

### 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 lines

> 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._

## Links

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