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Overview

Synopsis

William Shakespeare’s Richard II chronicles the end of one king’s reign and the rise of another. In 1399, Richard II believes that he is the undisputed king of England and can therefore do anything he pleases, whether it is banishing his cousin, plotting the murders of his enemies, or taking land and estates to fund a war. After his uncle John of Gaunt dies, Richard’s greed and belief in his Divine Right to rule consumes him. In order to save England from a tyrant, John of Gaunt’s son Henry Bolingbroke returns to demand his father’s inheritance. The nobles of England divide into factions--those loyal to Richard, and those ready to rebel against the king’s corruption. Based on historical records, Shakespeare’s tragic tale of Richard II’s demise and Henry IV’s coronation is a beautiful cautionary tale about leadership, faith, and loyalty.

Show Information

Category
Play
Age Guidance
Thirteen Plus (PG-13)
Number of Acts
5
First Produced
1595
Genres
Historical/Biographical, Tragedy
Settings
Period, Multiple Settings
Time & Place
England, Wales, 1390s
Cast Size
large
Licensor
None/royalty-free
Ideal For
College/University, High School, Large Cast, Mostly Male Cast, Professional Theatre, Regional Theatre, Includes Young Adult, Adult, Mature Adult, Elderly, Late Teen Characters

Context

Plot

Characters

Name Part Size Gender Vocal Part

King Richard II

Lead

Male

Henry Bolingbroke

Lead

Male

Edmund, Duke of York

Lead

Male

John of Gaunt

Supporting

Male

Duke of Aumerle

Supporting

Male

Thomas Mowbray

Supporting

Male

Earl of Salisbury

Supporting

Male

Sir John Bushy

Supporting

Male

Sir William Bagot

Supporting

Male

Sir Henry Green

Supporting

Male

Earl of Northumberland

Supporting

Male

The Bishop of Carlisle

Supporting

Male

Sir Piers Exton

Supporting

Male

Queen Isabel

Supporting

Female

Lady-in-Waiting

Supporting

Female

Duchess of Gloucester

Supporting

Female

Duchess of York

Supporting

Female

Earl of Berkeley

Featured

Male

Henry Percy

Featured

Male

Lord Ross

Featured

Male

Lord Willoughby

Featured

Male

Sir Stephen Scroop

Featured

Male

Lord Fitzwater

Featured

Male

Duke of Surrey

Featured

Male

Abbot of Westminster

Featured

Male

Lord Marshal

Featured

Male

Welsh Captain

Featured

Male

Ensemble

Ensemble

Either Gender

Songs

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A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number; a character listed in a song with an asterisk (*) by the character's name indicates that the character exclusively serves as a dancer in this song, which is sung by other characters.

Monologues

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Scenes

All scenes are the property and copyright of their owners. Scenes are presented on StageAgent for educational purposes only. If you would like to give a public performance of this scene, please obtain authorization from the appropriate licensor.

Key Terms

Videos

Quizzes

Themes, Symbols & Motifs

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Quote Analysis

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Guide Written By:

Cindi Calhoun

Cindi Calhoun

Theatre teacher, director, writer, and seamstress