A Comparison of Corrupt Kings in Shakespeares Henry IV and Richard II

A undefeated monarchy relies upon a stable leader who is touch with the satisfaction of those he rules over. heat content Bolingbroke the IV in Shakespe atomic number 18s total heat the IV dampen I follows a trend set by his harbinger in Richard II of self-indulgence and neglect of his kingdom. These leaders worry virtually the possibility of losing their kingdom or their soldiers to other nobles who were similarly concerned to a greater extent with obtaining a higher position rather than governing. The king must also be wary of his own life, something that was once revered and guarded intimately by other nobles. Wars once fought for gaining or protecting land are overshadowed by personal battles fighting for the position of king. Henry proved himself a powerful and fearless leader when he forcefully overthrew King Richard contempt the divine rights bestowed upon him. While this was disruptive to the country, it appeared that this new leader would be successful because of co nfidence and military strength. However, shortly after he obtained his position, Henry became certain of the forces pulling the king away from his duties. He fails to either ignore or eliminate these distractions and becomes absorbed in them instead It seems then that the tidings of this strife/Brake off our business. (Henry, I, i, 47-48). Unfortunately, the king is not the only one neglecting the country. around of the nobles realize their potential for additional power after the throne has been usurped. This disease, cognise as neglect, spreads through the ruling class unnoticed by the inflicted. jakes of adenoidal is one of the few nobles to see what the English peasants have seen That England that was habitude to conquer others / Hath made a shameful conquest of itself. (Richard, II, i, 69-70). John of Gaunt sc... ...bination which proved to be impossible.Works Cited and ConsultedBarber, C.L. Rule and Misrule in Henry IV. William Shakespeare Histories and Poems. Ed. Haro ld Bloom. New York Chelsea House Publishers, 1986. 143-167.Bloom, Harold. Richard II, Part One Blooms Notes. New York Chelsea House, 1996.Cruttwell,Patrick. Hernry IV. Shakespeare For Students, Vol. II. Detroit Gale Publishing, 1999.Kantor, Andrea. Henry IV, Part One. London Barons Education Series, Inc, 1984.Princiss, G.M. Richard II Criticism. Shakespeare For Students, Vol.II. Detroit Gale Publishing, 1999.Shakespeare, William. Richard II The Norton Shakespeare. Ed Stephen Greenblatt, et al. New York W. W. Norton & Company, 1997.Shakespeare, William. Henry IV. In The Norten Anthology of English Literature. Eds. M.H. Abrams et all. 5th Ed. New York Norton, 1987.