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Richard II Study Guide

by William Shakespeare

Richard II study guide contains a biography of William Shakespeare, literature essays, a complete e-text, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis.

Richard II opens with Mowbray and Bolingbroke accusing each other of treason in front of Richard. He attempts to make the two noblemen make peace, but is unable to control them. Instead, Richard agrees to let them hold a medieval trial by combat in which the two men will fight to see who is right.

On the day of the trial, Richard allows the ceremony to proceed right up until the noblemen actually start fighting. He symbolically allows his warder (a staff representing that he is king) fall to the ground. The ceremony is halted and Richard takes over. He orders Mowbray to be permanently banished from England, and banishes Bolingbroke for ten years. Mowbray leaves, and Richard then quickly reduces Bolingbroke's sentence to only six years in an…

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• Richard II Summary
• About Richard II
• Character List
• Summary and Analysis of Act 1
• Summary and Analysis of Act 2
• Summary and Analysis of Act 3
• Summary and Analysis of Act 4
• Summary and Analysis of Act 5
• About Shakespearean Theater
• Related Links on Richard II
• Author of ClassicNote and Sources

• Richard II: Essays
• Richard II: E-Text
• Richard II: Questions
• Richard II: Purchase the Novel and Related Material
• William Shakespeare: Biography