Richard II Act 2 – “… Some unborne sorrow, ripe in fortune’s womb, is coming towards me..."

Richard II Act 2 – “… Some unborne sorrow, ripe in fortune’s womb, is coming towards me…”

If ‘Richard II’ is a parable then Act 2 has some striking lessons. With John of Gaunt on death’s door awaiting the arrival of King Richard so that he can impart some words of wisdom, we know that John of Gaunt’s final dying breath are whispers that fall on deaf ears. Richard will listen only to those who flatter him and his opinions. Perhaps this message was a warning to Elizabeth who in her old age was not adverse to surrounding herself with flattering admirers. Gaunt utters a majestic lament for what his country has become. These words which perhaps were a direct warning to Queen Elizabeth not to allow England to be carved up and sold in smaller lease holdings or overtaxed to pay for the war in Ireland, echo across the centuries and across countries to any who mourn their countries fate:

“This blessed plot, this earth, this realm, this England… is now leas'd out…”

As if on cue, undercutting this moment, King Richard enters with a huge entourage which includes his Queen. Age and the breath of death gives John of Gaunt, the courage and the fire to say exactly what he thinks to King Richard. He tells Richard that for a king, he worries about appearances too much, he is too easily flattered by self-serving manipulative nobles, he spends too much money, he is taxing people too much and overall not looking after England. Of course, Richard does not listen to this and arrogantly reminds John of Gaunt of his lack of nobility and then threatens to destroy Gaunt and his whole family. With his dying breath, Gaunt curses King Richard.

"Live in thy shame, but die not shame with thee!

These words hereafter thy tormentors be!"

With John of Gaunt dead, King Richard proceeds to take all of his assets to pay for the campaign in Ireland which he, Richard, will lead. The Duke of York, points out that John of Gaunt was loyal and that although he is in exile, Bolingbroke should by custom and law receive Gaunt’s estates and assets. Richard, once again, does not listen to the advice of those who are loyal and wisened by age, and seems hell bent on putting on armour and setting sail for Ireland the next day.

Three of Richard’s ‘trusted’ and ‘loyal’ lords secretly talk of Bolingbroke rallying forces to invade England, and his intentions to take over lands and eventually the crown. They decide that Richard’s days are numbered and they make a decision to join Bolingbroke in Ravenspurgh when he arrives.

With King Richard off in Ireland, we come back to Windsor Castle and the Queen who feels ominous times are coming.

"Some unborn sorrow ripe in Fortune's womb

Is coming toward me, and my inward soul…”

Baget listens to her woes and talks of how Richard’s actions might even turn the common people against him.

“… the wavering commons… their love

Lies in their purses and whoso empties them

By so much fills their hearts with deadly hate.”

The deluge arrives. Bolingbroke has invaded, Lords galore are defecting to Bolingbroke’s army and even the threat of declaring these lords as traitors seems to not stem the flow from Richard's side. The Duke of York who the running of the kingdom has been left to, feels the impossible has become the Sisyphean when, after sending a servant to get help, money and support from the Duchess of Gloucester, he finds out that she has died. He decides to nevertheless raise an army for Richard and takes the Queen with him to Berkeley Castle in Gloucestershire to at least keep her safe. He may get the Queen to safety but the rest of his task:

"Is numb'ring sands and drinking oceans dry…"

The Duke of York leaves and another group of ‘loyal’ lords is left alone. Bad move. They see the writing on the wall and decide to leave Windsor and, all except Bagot, who says he will join Richard in Ireland, decide to join Bolingbroke.

Soon after, Henry Bolingbroke and Lord Northumberland ride towards Berkeley Castle. Lords Ross and Lord Willoughby join them along with Harry Percy (Northumberland's youngest son). Percy swears his loyalty to Bolingbroke and then the Duke of York arrives.

Although, the Duke of York initially condemns Bolingbroke and his actions, because he cannot support the overthrow of a lawful and God-appointed king, the Duke decides because he has not the force to drive Bolingbroke back, he will now remain neutral in the conflict. But York himself is starting to be swayed by Bolingbroke. The Duke of York’s invitation to Bolingbroke and his men to stay in his castle for the night, shows that Bollingbroke has won over another important ally in his fight to claim England and the thrown.

We shift to the coast of Wales, where Lord Salisbury and a Welsh force desperately await for King Richard to return so that they may fight Bolingbroke’s forces off. But all seems lost and Salisbury laments:

“Ah Richard, with the eyes of heavy mind

I see thy glory like a shooting star

Fall to the base earth from the firmament.”