Richard II: The Test of Identity

Recapping of Last Class: Or, Siting/Sighting

Richard II

A characterization of the High Renaissance sensibility:

• an at once secure belief in a stable order or “Chain of Being” (everything in its place)

• and--at any moment--a radical, "perspectural" destabilization, a complete openness to re-interpretation of the world, to a consciousness of "representation" as a mask, as mere words, as play rather than state– E.g., The Ambassadors, Hans Holbein (1533)

Today, let’s begin with trying to clarify the identify of characters in the play.

How clear are you on the relationships between people in Richard II?

A) Crystal Clear

B) Mostly Clear

C) Somewhat Murky

D) Very Murky

Who is not related to Richard II?

A) John of Gaunt

B) Duke of York

C) Duchess of Gloucester

D) Thomas Mowbray

E) Henry Bolingbroke

The opening scene: 1.1.1-24

What best describes the language spoken by the characters in the opening scene of Richard II?

A) Confusing

B) Ceremonial

C) Boring

D) RepetitiveE) Masculine

Why is there such an emphasis on naming?

• Ceremony is about displaying identity• Ceremony tells you your place in the world,

literally:• Gaunt is “time honored Lancaster”• Henry is “Henry Hereford”• Mowbray is “Duke of Norfolk”

In Sum:

In the Old Order, which is invoked by ordered ceremony and ritualistic naming at the opening of Richard II, all beings have their place in a Chain of Being and can orderly speak their place and their allegiance to their ruler.

The Question of Truth

But suddenly, there is a question of "truth," of real identity as distinguished from "maskedness”:

Richard says,

We thank you both; yet one but flatters us

As well appeareth by the cause you come,

Namely to appeal each other of high treason. (1.1.25-26)

On what basis do Mowbray and Bolingbroke accuse each other of “high treason”?

The accusations of “high treason” provoke more ceremonial words and actions:

– Oaths or swearings• E.g., 1.1.30-46 and 1.1.78-83

– Throwing down and picking up of “gages”• E.g., 1.1.69-74 and 1.1.145

– And a ceremonial tournament to determine who speaks truth• Richard: 1.1.196-205

What statement best states the logic of the opening play-world whereby a ceremonial tournament would justly decide who is the real traitor?

A) Might is right (à la Rambo).B) God chooses and thus sanctifies the winner.C) As a social ritual, no matter who wins, a

tournament orderly takes care of the problem.D) Since one of the accusers loses/dies, the

dispute is resolved.

Why?A) He doesn’t want English and especially royal

blood spilled.B) He doesn’t trust either Mowbray or Bolingbroke,

and so doesn’t want either to win and be sanctioned.

C) He’s fine with aggression at the level of ceremonial language (words) but not at the level of ceremonial action (battle).

D) Whoever wins, Richard is implicated.E) All of the above.

But Richard stops the test of truth: 1.3.125-73

The Consequences of Stopping the Tournament:

• Mowbray is banished for life.– with banishment comes loss of self-

expression and repression. • "Within my mouth you have enjailed my

tongue" (1.3.166, p. 88)

• Bolingbroke is banished for 10 years (reverted to 6 out of sympathy for Gaunt).– but Bolingbroke very soon returns: 2.1.276-

288 (pp. 37-38)

Bolingbroke, 3.3.30-60, p. 63

A) Restoration of his citizenship and lands

B) The crown

C) To serve Richard as a true subject

D) He doesn’t fully know

E) A, B, and D

What does Bolingbroke really want?

A new order is coming into being in Richard II that cannot yet be articulated even by those launching it.

Foreshadowing the new unnamable Order,

Part I:

Recall the Queen’s words to Bushy after Richard leaves for Ireland:

. . .methinks

Some unborn sorrow ripe in Fortune’s womb

Is coming towards me. (2.2.9-11)

…………………………………….

But what it is that is not yet known what,

I cannot name; ‘tis nameless woe I wot.

(2.2.39-40)

When Green then arrives and informs the Queen that Bolingbroke has landed in England, the Queen responds:

So, Green, thou art the midwife to my woe,

And Bolingbroke, my sorrow’s dismal heir;

Now hath my soul brought forth her prodigy,

And I, a gasping, new-delivered mother,

Have woe to woe, sorrow to sorrow, joined.

(2.2.62-66)

Foreshadowing the new unnamable Order,

Part 2:

In Conclusion:

• Bolingbroke is the poster boy for a new world order. But the image he presents is fuzzy, even to himself.

• What is the character of the new order? How can it be named?

• And what happens to Richard in this radically changing universe where old Chain of Being values no longer apply?

Stay tuned.