| Author |
Shakespeare, William, 1564-1616 |
| Title |
King Richard II
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| Note |
Reading ease score: 79.1 (7th grade). Fairly easy to read.
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| Note |
There is an improved edition of this title, eBook #1512.
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| Summary |
"King Richard II" by William Shakespeare is a historical play written during the late 16th century. The play explores themes of power, authority, and the nuances of kingship through the tragic story of King Richard II and the conflict with his cousin Bolingbroke. At the center of the drama are King Richard, whose reign is plagued by his own mismanagement and the treachery of those around him, along with Bolingbroke, who rises in opposition to claim his rightful place and power. The opening of "King Richard II" sets the stage for the political turmoil to follow, beginning with a tense confrontation between King Richard and Bolingbroke over a challenge issued by the Duke of Norfolk. As the characters gather in the royal palace, Richard attempts to mediate a conflict that reveals the deep-seated rivalries among the nobles. John of Gaunt, Richard’s uncle, and the Duke of York also play significant roles in this escalating discord. The tension leads to a trial by combat but is ultimately interrupted by Richard's decree to banish Bolingbroke, foreshadowing the impending conflict and the king's vulnerability. The dialogue is rich with themes of loyalty, honor, and the political machinations that will lead to Richard’s downfall. (This is an automatically generated summary.)
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| Language |
English |
| LoC Class |
PR: Language and Literatures: English literature
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| Subject |
Richard II, King of England, 1367-1400 -- Drama
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| Subject |
Tragedies
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| Subject |
Historical drama
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| Subject |
Great Britain -- History -- Richard II, 1377-1399 -- Drama
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| Category |
Text |
| EBook-No. |
1776 |
| Release Date |
Jun 1, 1999 |
| Most Recently Updated |
Apr 2, 2015 |
| Copyright Status |
Public domain in the USA. |
| Downloads |
79 downloads in the last 30 days. |
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