Amazon.co.uk Review
One of Shakespeare's finest history plays, Richard II deals with one of the most sensitive and politically explosive issues of its day--the rights and wrongs of deposing a legitimately appointed king. Forerunner to the two parts of Henry IV, the play deals with the abdication of King Richard II in 1399, the subsequent succession of Bolingbroke, the future King Henry IV, and Richard's death in the spring of 1400. But the play has been celebrated above and beyond its stature as historical drama. Richard II begins with a portrait of Richard as a pompous, arrogant and self-regarding sovereign, with little sense of his people or his political responsibilities. As he consistently miscalculates in his attempts to destroy Bolingbroke, and watches his own power wane, he becomes a far more appealing, Hamlet-like figure, more interested in "talk of graves, of worms and epitaphs", and "sad stories of the death of kings". Richard's speeches become increasingly lyrical and poetic as his supporters desert him, until he finally takes on the stature of the pilloried Christ in the climax of the play, the deposition scene, one of the most politically risky scenes in all of Shakespeare. The play remains most famous for John of Gaunt's "This royal throne of kings, this sceptred isle" speech, but historians believe that the play was also performed in the streets of London in 1601 in support of the Earl of Essex's attempt to depose Elizabeth I. Whilst the plot failed, it showed the power of the theatre of the time, and the politically controversial nature of Shakespeare's play. --Jerry Brotton --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Synopsis
Richard, son of the Black Prince, is brought up to believe in his right to rule by divine right. When he comes to the throne, he proves capricious and narcissistic - unfit to rule.

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews   2 of 2 people found the following review helpful: stunning, engaging, engrossing, 21 Nov 2001 By A Customer This review is from: King Richard II: A BBC Radio 3 Full-cast Dramatisation. Starring Sam West & Joss Ackland (BBC Radio Collection) (Audio Cassette) Plays should be played - that almost goes without saying. And, therefore, plays that are only heard, and not seen, must be a disappointment? Not so, in this case. A stellar cast, at least one of whom went on to claim huge accolades when he took his role in this play to the stage, for the RSC (Samuel West as Richard II), guarantee that your ear will not stray from the speaker while this tape plays. There is enough here to dispense with visuals, the voices convey all you need to know, and if you didn't know Damien Lewis was English, then this is one way to find out. He's Henry Bolingbroke, by the way. If you love Shakespeare; if you're not sure; if you know this play; if you don't but wish to follow "the histories" - just buy it. Then, one day, you will be able to say, yes, I came across Samuel West years ago, when he was in Richard II, and I knew he would be good. Invest - you won't regret.  Comment | Permalink | Was t