anniecase45 's review for:

Richard II by William Shakespeare

3.0

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It's hard to critique Shakespeare. I would say this one is one of his lesser efforts among an array of amazing plays. Richard II is a spoiled, corrupt king who only listens to his "yes men" and squanders the taxpayer money on his vanity projects, personal and political. When he condemns his cousin, Henry Bolingbroke, to years abroad for perceived crimes, Richard's enemies come out of the woodwork to support Bolingbroke's return. Although Henry claims he only wants his inheritance restored, it becomes clear he really wants the throne. Not much actually happens in this drama and I would venture the depth of the soliloquies are best appreciated upon a third or fourth reading. As a more casual reader of Shakespeare, it lacks the central dilemma that would hold my interest for long.

Guthrie, 2024