Richard II

William Shakespeare, c. 1595

Shakespeare’s history play of King Richard II of England, who banishes his cousin Henry Bolingbroke and seizes his inheritance, and must then face Bolingbroke’s return at the head of an army.

Start reading19 scenes, about 23,000 words

Famous quotes

All places that the eye of heaven visits
Are to a wise man ports and happy havens.
Teach thy necessity to reason thus:
There is no virtue like necessity.
Act I, Scene III, spoken by GauntIn context
- Wisdom
They say the tongues of dying men
Enforce attention like deep harmony.
Where words are scarce, they are seldom spent in vain
Act II, Scene I, spoken by GauntIn context
- Life & Death
- Talking
This royal throne of kings, this sceptered isle,
This earth of majesty, this seat of Mars,
This other Eden, demi-paradise,
This fortress built by Nature for herself
Against infection and the hand of war,
This happy breed of men, this little world,
This precious stone set in the silver sea,
Which serves it in the office of a wall
Or as a moat defensive to a house,
Against the envy of less happier lands;
This blessed plot, this earth, this realm, this England
Act II, Scene I, spoken by GauntIn context
- Patriotism
O, call back yesterday, bid time return
Act III, Scene II, spoken by SalisburyIn context
- Time
You may my glories and my state depose,
But not my griefs; still am I king of those.
Act IV, Scene I, spoken by King RichardIn context
- Emotion
- Power
I wasted time, and now doth time waste me
Act V, Scene V, spoken by RichardIn context
- Time

Act I

Scene ILondon. A Room in the palace
Scene IIThe same. A room in the Duke of Lancaster’s palace
Scene IIIOpen Space, near Coventry. Lists set out, and a Throne. Heralds, &c., attending
Scene IVLondon. A Room in the King’s Castle

Act II

Scene ILondon. An Apartment in Ely House
Scene IIThe Same. A Room in the Castle
Scene IIIThe Wolds in Gloucestershire
Scene IVA camp in Wales

Act III

Scene IBristol. Bolingbroke’s camp
Scene IIThe coast of Wales. A castle in view
Scene IIIWales. Before Flint Castle
Scene IVLangley. The Duke of York’s garden

Act IV

Scene IWestminster Hall

Act V

Scene ILondon. A street leading to the Tower
Scene IIThe same. A room in the Duke of York’s palace
Scene IIIWindsor. A room in the Castle
Scene IVAnother room in the Castle
Scene VPomfret. The dungeon of the Castle
Scene VIWindsor. An Apartment in the Castle