The Tragedy of King Richard Act 4

188.

so here's my latest plan, and so far (for two days), so good: make 5 goals a day. whatever it is i need to do. even if taking a shower is uber-important for the day, put it on the list. if i accomplish those 5 things, then i can move on to other things. of course things like work go on the list, but it's a great opportunity to motivate myself to get things accomplished that i might normally put off. i also have a tendency to become so overwhelmed with the number of things that i have to do, that i don't accomplish as much as i need to. so... 5 things a day. it's awesome. and guess what's on the list every day? that's right...

act 4, scene 1

Bolingbroke asks Bagot what he knows about Gloucester's death. (remember that? from long long ago?) Bagot points his finger at Aumerle. he also accuses Aumerle of not wanting Bolingbroke to be king. Aumerle gets pissed and throws down his gage. Fitzwater refutes Aumerle and throws his gage down. Aumerle continues to deny the charges and Percy points his finger at Aumerle as well. he's so upset, he throws down his gage. soon, yet another gage is thrown down. Surrey gets on Aumerle's side, pointing fingers at Fitzwater. so guess what? he throws his gage down too. more gages are thrown down and taken up. Aumerle even has to borrow a gage! someone's gage is thrown down against Norfolk (the other man banished. remember that?). the news is revealed that Norfolk is actually dead. York enters with news that Richard is giving up his crown "with willing soul". Carlisle, however, speaks out against it. he is a clergyman, and gives his honest opinion. he thinks it's wrong to basically try Richard when he isn't even there. they are going against God's will, and they will be published. Northumberland calls him a traitor and has him taken into custody. Richard is finally brought in. he's talking a little crazy. giving up his crown is obviously taking its toll on him. (see quote below.) he does eventually give his crown over to Bolingbroke, but he is losing it. Bolingbroke plays at being respectful, but it seems like it's just a show. the one thing Richard asks is for Bolingbroke to let him go instead of trying him. if he lets him go, Richard promises he will never be heard from again. Bolingbroke, however, has him taken to the Tower. after everyone leaves, a few of the Lords agree to meet in secret to discuss how to fix this whole situation.

so we remember that the gage being thrown down is a challenge from one person to another? if the other person picks up the gage, the challenge is accepted. got it? ok good.

so all this gage-throwing... is this meant to highlight the ridiculousness of the situation? or is the tension supposed to be mounting here? to me, it's bordering on funny. i wish i could see this on stage!

hm... looks like Bolingbroke is turning into exactly the tyrant that he accused Richard of being. anyone else seeing that?

quote of the day:

'alack, why am i sent for to a king,

before i have shook off the regal thoughts

wherewith i reigned? i hardly yet have learned

to insinuate, flatter, bow, and bend my knee.

give sorrow leave awhile to tutor me

to this submission. yet i will remember

the favors of these men. were they not mine?

did they not sometime cry, "all hail!" to me?

so Judas did to Christ. but he, in twelve,

found truth in all but one; i, in twelve thousand, none.

God save the King! will no men say amen?

am i both priest and clerk? well then, amen.

God save the King, although i be not he;

and yet, amen, if heaven do think him me.

to do what service am i sent for hither?'

   -King Richard

for tomorrow: act 5, scenes 1-3

-rebecca may