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King Richard II Research Paper

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King Richard II Research Paper
What exactly does it take to be considered a king? In my opinion, a king should be someone who respects his subjects, someone courageous, and is also prepared to make the tough decisions for the better of his people. King Richard II from Richard II has none of those traits, and should therefore not be considered a king in any sense besides birthright.
King Richard II has a false kingdom, rather than having advisors that give good advice based on needs within the kingdom, King Richard II is surrounded by flatterers, people who will encourage anything the king proposes, not thinking of how those decisions will affect his subjects. Due to these flatterers, King Richard II rules to “ […] farm our royal realm, the revenue whereof shall furnish us [the king and his advisors] for our affairs in hand” (I.4.45-47). In making this ruling, the king begins to lend out bits of his kingdom to rich and royal subjects, allowing the rich …show more content…
“The commons hath he pilled with grievous taxes and quite lost their hearts; the nobles hath he fined for ancient quarrels and quite lost their hearts” (II.1.246-48). From this comment, Lord Ross explains how King Richard II, in not caring about the wants or needs of his own people lost their love and respect, eventually leading his subjects into rebellion. Had King Richard II tended the wishes of his kingdom, he would have been a far more successful king.
In conclusion, King Richard II should not be considered a king, not only did he not respect his subjects, he also did not do things for their well-being, only for his own well-being and also to gain wealth. From these decisions, and from listening only to those who flattered him, he lost the love of his people and eventually was brought to his downfall and the succession of King Henry
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