Richard II [Paperback]

Considered one of Shakespeare's greatest history plays,The Tragedy of King Richard IIconcerns the ill-fated reign of a king whose eventual overthrow marks the beginning of Shakespeare's history cycle, includingHenry IV, Part I, Henry IV Part II;andHenry V.

This edition features an overview of Shakespeare's works by Sylvan Barnet, former Chairman of the English Department at Tufts University, as well as a comprehensive stage and screen history, dramatic criticism from the past and present, and sources from which Shakespeare derived this great work.Richard II - William Shakespeare - Edited by Kenneth Muir Walter Pater: Shakespeare?s English Kings
Richard D. Altick: Symphonic Imagery in ?Richard II?
Derek Traversi:FromShakespeare from ?Richard II? to ?Henry V?

NEWLY ADDED ESSAYS:
Samuel Schoenbaum: ?Richard II? and the Realities of Power
Kenneth Muir: ?Richard II? on Stage and Screen
Graham Holderness: The Women

William Shakespeare (1564–1616) was a poet, playwright, and actor who is widely regarded as one of the most influential writers in the history of the English language. Often referred to as the Bard of Avon, Shakespeare's vast body of work includes comedic, tragic, and historical plays; poems; and 154 sonnets. His dramatic works have been translated into every major language and are performed more often than those of any other playwright.Chapter 1

Act 1 Scene 1 running scene 1

Enter King Richard, John of Gaunt, with other Nobles and Attendants

KING RICHARD Old John of Gaunt, time-honoured Lancaster,

Hast thou according to thy oath and band

Brought hither Henry Hereford thy bold son,

Here to make good the boist'rous late appeal,

Which then our leisure would not let us hear,

Against the Duke of Norfolk, Thomas Mowbray?

GAUNT I have, my liege.

KING RICHARD Tell me, moreovl£Í