1. London Princess Theatre, directed by Charles Kean (1857). Reproduced by permission of the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust 2. Directed by Anthony Quayle (1951). Angus McBean (c) Royal Shakespeare Company 3. Directed by John Barton (1973). Joe Cocks Studio Collection (c) Shakespeare Birthplace Trust 4. Directed by Terry Hands (1980). Joe Cocks Studio Collection (c) Shakespeare Birthplace Trust 5. Directed by Barry Kyle (1986). Reg Wilson (c) Royal Shakespeare Company 6. Directed by Steven Pimlott (2000). Malcolm Davies (c) Shakespeare Birthplace Trust 7. Directed by Michael Boyd (2007). Ellie Kurttz (c) Royal Shakespeare Company 8. Directed by Deborah Warner (1995). (c) Donald Cooper/photostage.co.uk
9. Reconstructed Elizabethan Playhouse (c) Charcoalblue
THE MODERN LIBRARY EDITORIAL BOARD
Maya Angelou
*
A. S. Byatt
*
Caleb Carr
*
Christopher Cerf
*
Harold Evans
*
Charles Frazier
*
Vartan Gregorian
*
Jessica Hagedorn
*
Richard Howard
*
Charles Johnson
*
Jon Krakauer
*
Edmund Morris
*
Azar Nafisi
*
Joyce Carol Oates
*
Elaine Pagels
*
John Richardson
*
Salman Rushdie
*
Oliver Sacks
*
Carolyn See
*
Gore Vidal
John of Gaunt was named after his place of birth, Ghent
2 Hast thou have you--the familiar form used to intimates and inferiors band bond 3 Henry Hereford i.e. Bullingbrook; he had been created Duke of Hereford (pronounced as two syllables) by Richard in 1397
4 boist'rous violent late recent appeal binding accusation 5 our Richard uses the plural royal pronoun leisure i.e. lack of leisure 7 liege lord, superior entitled to feudal allegiance and service
8 sounded inquired of
9 on ancient out of long-standing
11 ground motive, cause
12 sift find by questioning argument topic
13 apparent manifest, obvious
14 inveterate long-standing
18 High-stomached proud/high-spirited/courageous/angry ire anger 21 gracious full of divine grace, holy/benevolent
22 still always
23 hap fortune
24 immortal title i.e. immortality (in heaven)
25 but only
26 well appeareth is plainly apparent you come i.e. about which you come 27 appeal accuse of a crime which the accuser undertakes to prove (especially of treason) 28 object charge
30 record witness
32 Tend'ring cherishing
33 misbegotten wrongfully conceived
34 appellant (as an) accuser
36 mark note, pay attention to
38 answer answer for
39 miscreant wretch, villain
40 good high-ranking
41 crystal clear, bright (heavenly bodies were thought to be contained within rotating crystal spheres) 43 aggravate emphasize, magnify note reproach, mark of disgrace 45 ere before
46 right justly, rightfully
47 cold deliberate, unimpassioned accuse i.e. diminish, cast doubt on zeal powerful feelings/loyalty 48 trial judgment, test
49 eager sharp, biting
50 Can arbitrate that can reach a judicial decision on cause matter of dispute betwixt between twain two 51 blood anger, passion/bodily blood cooled calmed/let flow (either through medical bloodletting or in death) 54 fair reverence of proper respect for
56 else otherwise post hasten
58 Setting ... royalty regardless of his royal blood (Bullingbrook is Richard's cousin, and grandson to Edward III; high blood plays on the sense of "extreme anger") 59 let supposing
60 defy challenge to combat
62 odds the advantage
63 meet encounter in combat tied obliged
65 inhabitable not habitable
66 durst dares to
67 this i.e. the following accusation, or possibly Mowbray indicates his sword 69 gage pledge signifying a commitment to combat (usually a glove or gauntlet, thrown down to challenge the opponent) 72 except set aside
74 pawn gage
76 make good prove
77 thou canst devise you can invent
79 gently nobly/kindly/softly
80 in ... degree to any just, honorable extent
82 light alight, dismount (from my horse)
83 unjustly dishonorably/in an unjust cause
84 lay ... charge accuse Mowbray of
85 inherit us put us in possession
87 Look attend to, note
88 nobles gold coins
89 lendings advances on payment
90 lewd improper/vile
91 injurious harmful
93 Or either
96 Complotted plotted in conspiracy with others
97 Fetched drew/derived head source
100 Duke of Gloucester son of Edward III, hence Richard's uncle and John of Gaunt's brother; he was murdered in 1397 at Calais, while in the custody of Mowbray and, many believe, at Richard's prompting 101 Suggest tempt, incite
103 Sluiced out let flow, flooded out
104 sacrificing sacrificial Abel in the Bible, killed by his brother Cain, the world's first murderer 106 chastisement correction, punishment
109 pitch height (literally, the highest point in a falcon's flight) 113 slander of disgrace to
118 my sceptre's awe the reverence due to my scepter
119 neighbour neighboring, close
120 partialize make partial, bias
126 receipt amount received
130 Upon ... account for the balance of a large debt
131 fetch historically Mowbray was involved in marriage negotiations on Richard's behalf, though Richard escorted the French princess Isabel to England 135 lord of Lancaster i.e. John of Gaunt
138 trespass sin
140 exactly in full detail/specifically
142 appealed with which I am charged
144 recreant cowardly (if an adjective)/coward (if a noun)
145 Which which accusation
146 interchangeably in exchange, reciprocally
147 overweening arrogant
149 Even in i.e. by shedding chambered enclosed 150 In haste whereof to hasten which
153 purge cure medically (by bloodletting) choler anger (literally yellow bile, the hot and dry "humor," one of four fluids in ancient and medieval physiology, believed to govern physical and mental qualities) letting shedding; refers specifically to medical practice of phlebotomy (opening a vein so as to let blood flow) 156 conclude come to terms
157 doctors learned men, astrologers
160 become suit, befit
164 boot point, advantage (in refusing)
165 dread revered
167 fair name honorable reputation
170 impeached accused legally baffled disgraced publicly 172 balm ointment his ... breathed the heart-blood of he who uttered 175 Lions make leopards the lion symbolized the king and featured on the royal coat of arms; Mowbray's coat of arms bore a lion leopard, i.e. walking and showing the full face 176 spots leopard spots/stains of dishonor Take take responsibility for/take over 179 away gone
180 but gilded merely covered with gold, superficially fair loam earth, clay 181 ten-times-barred-up i.e. extremely secure chest plays on the sense of "torso"
183 in one together, inseparably
185 try put to the test
189 crest-fall'n humbled/abashed
190 impeach my height discredit my high rank, stoop
191 out-dared cowed/terrified dastard coward
193 parle truce (literally trumpet call instigating
negotiation) 194 motive instrument, i.e. tongue recanting renouncing a belief/making a public confession of error 195 his its (the tongue's)
196 harbour dwell/shelter
197 sue beg
200 Saint Lambert's day September 17
202 swelling growing/inflated with pride settled fixed, unchanging 203 atone set at one, reconcile
204 design designate, identify chivalry valor or prowess in war 206 home alarms domestic calls to arms
1 part ... blood i.e. my kinship to Gloucester (who was John of Gaunt's brother) 2 solicit urge exclaims outcries, exclamations
3 stir take action
4 those hands i.e. Richard's (whom Gaunt holds responsible for Gloucester's death) 11 Edward Edward III
15 Destinies the Fates in classical mythology who cut the thread of life with their shears 19 liquor liquid
20 faded faded, withered
21 envy's malice's
23 metal substance (puns on "mettle," i.e. disposition) self-mould selfsame mold/mold from which the self is made 25 consent assent, acquiesce
28 model copy, image
30 suff'ring allowing
31 naked i.e. defenseless
33 mean lowly, humble
36 venge avenge
37 Heaven's ... deputy i.e. Richard who, as king, was held to be God's earthly representative 38 anointed ... sight i.e. marked with holy oil at Westminster Abbey, the part of the coronation ceremony that signified the sacred nature of the king 42 complaint myself lodge a formal complaint
43 champion defender
46 cousin kinsman fell cruel, fierce
49 career charge of the horse in combat
51 courser swift powerful horse ridden in battle
52 lists area of combat (literally, the barriers enclosing it)
53 caitiff cowardly, villainous recreant faith-breaker 54 thy sometimes formerly your
58 boundeth rebounds
62 brother i.e. brother-in-law
63 Lo look
66 Plashy the Duke of Gloucester's country estate in Essex
69 offices servants' quarters
2 at all points completely, in every respect
3 sprightfully full of high spirits
4 Stays awaits appellant accuser, challenger
5 champions contenders Flourish trumpet fanfare accompanying a person in authority When ... set a Quarto direction, omitted from Folio, indicating that the king, as umpire, should be set upon a raised throne 7 demand ask
9 orderly duly, properly
13 quarrel complaint
18 defend forbid
20 succeeding subsequent/who will inherit the throne issue children Tucket personal trumpet call 28 plated armored habiliments clothing, attire
30 Depose him take his sworn deposition
31 wherefore why
43 daring-hardy recklessly bold touch i.e. interfere in 45 fair lawful, proper
51 several respective/various
55 as insofar as, to the extent to which
56 royal fight because held in the king's presence
57 my blood Richard's reference is ambiguous; Bullingbrook was his cousin but all subjects were the king's and part of the body politic 59 profane wrongfully let fall
66 lusty vigorous, robust cheerly cheerfully
67 regreet salute, welcome
68 daintiest most delicious
70 regenerate reborn, renewed
71 twofold i.e. father's and son's
73 proof impenetrability
75 waxen i.e. soft, vulnerable
76 furbish polish
77 'haviour behavior, actions
81 amazing stupefying/terrifying casque helmet
82 pernicious ruinous
84 Saint George patron saint of England
90 enfranchisement freedom
95 gentle pleasant, friendly, courteous jocund joyful, cheerful jest amuse oneself/act in a masque 97 Securely confidently
98 couched lodged/at rest
99 Order set in order/initiate
106 recreant cowardly/unfaithful to duty
108 him i.e. Bullingbrook
112 approve prove
114 him i.e. Mowbray
116 Attending awaiting charge trumpet call signaling the beginning of combat 118 Stay halt, stop warder staff or baton held by the king to symbolize his authority over the combat 119 lay by put aside
122 return inform
123 list listen to
124 For that because
125 dear beloved/costly
126 for because aspect sight
128 boist'rous noisy, raucous/violent
130 shock clash in combat
136 regreet see again
137 stranger foreign
144 sly stealthy determinate put to an end
145 dateless limit unlimited term dear heartfelt/grievous 147 life i.e. loss of life
149 unlooked for unexpected
150 merit reward maim wound
151 common ordinary/open
157 cunning skillfully made/requiring skill to play
158 open not in its case
159 touch fingering/skill
161 portcullised shut in, as if with a portcullis (defensive iron grille, usually of a castle) 168 boots profits compassionate lamenting piteously 169 plaining complaining
171 solemn burdensome/dark/mournful
175 Our part therein i.e. the duty you owe to me as king 180 regreet greet (one another) again
181 louring darkly threatening
182 advised considered, deliberate
183 complot conspire in
187 so far as let me say this much
190 sepulchre tomb
192 fly flee
194 clogging encumbering (like a clog, a block of wood attached to the neck or leg to prevent escape) 199 rue regret, lament
200 stray take the wrong road/go wrong
201 Save except
202 glasses windows
203 aspect look
208 wanton abundant, flourishing
212 vantage advantage
214 times seasonal cycles
215 oil-dried empty of oil time-bewasted used up by time 216 extinct extinguished
217 taper candle
218 blindfold death refers to the eyeless skull that symbolized death and/or to the idea of death depriving Gaunt of the power to see 224 pilgrimage i.e. journey through life
225 current valid, genuine (as a legitimate coin)
226 dead i.e. once I am dead
227 advice counsel, consideration, judgment
228 party-verdict share in the collective decision (of the king's advisers) 229 lour frown, look gloomy
233 looked when expected that, waited for
234 make ... away banish my own child
235 leave permission
239 presence ... know I cannot learn of you in person/what the royal court shall not know 240 paper i.e. letters
245 few i.e. few words
246 office function prodigal extravagant
247 breathe utter dolour sorrow
248 grief cause for grief (Bullingbrook shifts the sense to "sorrow") time short while 252 travel journey/labor
253 miscall wrongly call
255 sullen somber, melancholy
256 Esteem as foil regard as a setting for a jewel
259 Caucasus region bordering Asia Minor including the Caucasus Mountains, depicted by Ovid as cold and stony 260 cloy satiate, gorge
263 fantastic imaginary
264 apprehension conception, awareness
266 Fell fierce, cruel rankle cause festering
267 lanceth pierces (to relieve infection)
268 bring escort
270 adieu goodbye
1 We did observe Richard enters mid-conversation
2 high proud/of high rank
4 next nearest
5 store quantity, abundance
6 for me on my part
8 rheum watery discharge, i.e. tears
9 hollow insincere<
br />
11 for because
12 craft skill, cunning
13 counterfeit pretend, fake
15 Marry by the Virgin Mary
19 cousin Aumerle's father is the Duke of York, Richard's uncle doubt doubtful 21 friends relatives
26 reverence respect
28 underbearing endurance
29 banish ... him take their affection into exile with him
30 bonnet soft brimless hat oyster-wench girl who sells oysters 31 brace of draymen pair of cart drivers
32 supple easily bent
34 in reversion i.e. after my death (when leased land would revert to its true owner) 35 our ... hope in terms of public expectation and favor, the nearest heir 37 stand out make a stand, hold out
38 Expedient manage swift management
39 leisure delay
43 largesse generosity
44 farm lease parts of the land to tenants who might then collect taxes on their own behalf 46 come short is insufficient
47 substitutes those appointed to govern during the king's absence blank charters documents authorizing deputies to collect revenues, or forced loans; blank spaces were left for the names of those required to pay 49 subscribe them enter their names
50 them i.e. the sums collected
51 presently immediately
57 Ely House the Bishop of Ely's palace in Holborn, London
60 lining contents (puns on the sense of "lining of a coat")
sick Gaunt is probably carried on stage in a chair
2 unstaid uncontrolled
9 listened listened to
10 gloze flatter, talk smoothly
11 marked paid attention to
12 close closing cadence of a piece of music
13 last at its end/for longest
16 sad serious, solemn
18 state kingly splendor
19 metres verses venom poisonous
21 proud arrogant/showy/splendid
22 tardy apish belatedly imitating
24 vanity trifle
25 So provided there's no respect it does not matter 26 buzzed whispered busily
27 That so that
28 will ... regard desire rebels against reasoned consideration
31 new inspired newly filled with divine influence (plays on the sense of "full of newly drawn breath") 32 expiring dying/breathing out
33 riot wasteful, dissolute lifestyle
35 Small composed of fine drops
36 betimes early
38 Light vanity frivolous foolishness cormorant glutton (literally, greedy seabird) 39 means resources, means of sustenance
40 sceptred invested with regal authority
41 earth of majesty land fit for kings Mars Roman god of war 45 happy breed fortunate race
47 office function
50 plot land for cultivation
51 teeming fertile
52 by their breed on account of their mighty ancestry
55 sepulchre cave outside Jerusalem in which Christ was buried stubborn Jewry the residents of Jerusalem who resisted Christianity 56 world's ... son i.e. Christ
60 tenement land or property held by a tenant pelting paltry 61 bound in bordered, surrounded
62 envious malicious, hostile
63 Neptune Roman god of the sea bound legally bound 64 inky ... bonds i.e. the corrupt blank charters
Richard II (Folger Shakespeare Library) Page 20
