I usually spend some time researching on the internet for different aspects or views, but found much of this to be superfluous for this play. It stars with a very useful introduction on Shakespeares language and was a useful back-up to the Introduction and notes in the Arden publication. It summarises the play scene by scene and provides a good analysis of the themes and story as it goes along. I also had in my library a copy of MAXnotes from the Research & Education Association's collection of study guides, I had previously not read any of these and found it concise and easy to read. There is certainly enough here to explain and enhance the enjoyment. On to the commentaries and notes of which there were plenty, being from the Arden Collection of plays. The play is usually dated at 1595 and would seem to be a thoroughly professional job, by a playwright who had learnt his craft. There are no prose passages and plenty of poetry in the iambic pentameter. There is only a little light relief from the tragedy of the unfolding story. It is a political play, perhaps the most political play I have read so far and its major theme is the divine right of kings. Other first impressions were that the heightened language that Richard and others use reminded me of Christopher Marlowe's Edward II or even Tamburlaine. It is a history play and Shakespeare although reorganising and adapting the historical facts still tells a recognisable story of the latter part of Richard's reign and Bolingbroke's seizing of the crown. On my first reading I was surprised how easy it was to follow the story. I finish off by watching a video performance of the play (usually a BBC production). I will then read the introduction and any notes or commentaries before reading through the play again at a slower pace. Let me explain: my modus operandi with Shakespeare is to read through the play in one sitting if possible and then note down any thoughts.

I find it exciting to pick up a Shakespeare play that I have not read before and Richard II proved to be a straightforward read.

William shakespeare richard