Richard II

How does Richard’s sense of self, both private and public, develop throughout the play? Does he change, or does he remain essentially the same? What does his character arc suggest about the nature of identity and selfhood?

Compare and contrast Richard and Bolingbroke as kings. In what ways are they different or similar? How does each man understand the nature and requirements of kingship?

Is Shakespeare’s portrayal of Richard entirely unfavorable or does the playwright give him some redeeming features? To what extent, if any, can Richard be seen as a tragic figure, given that the full title of the play is The Tragedy of King Richard the Second?