Monologue

Bolingbroke Monologue from Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Oxford 1911)/Volume 4/The Tragedy of King Richard the Second

From Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Oxford 1911)/Volume 4/The Tragedy of King Richard the Second by Oxford 1911

male · defiant · 1:44 min

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:As I was banish'd, I was banish'd Hereford; :But as I come, I come for Lancaster. :And, noble uncle, I beseech your Grace :Look on my wrongs with an indifferent eye: :You are my father, for methinks in you :I see old Gaunt alive: O! then, my father, :Will you permit that I shall stand condemn'd :A wandering vagabond; my rights and royalties :Pluck'd from my arms perforce, and given away :To upstart unthrifts? Wherefore was I born? :If that my cousin king be King in England, :It must be granted I am Duke of Lancaster. :You have a son, Aumerle, my noble cousin; :Had you first died, and he been thus trod down, :He should have found his uncle Gaunt a father :To rouse his wrongs and chase them to the bay. :I am denied to sue my livery here, :And yet my letters-patents give me leave. :My father's goods are all distrain'd and sold; :And these and all are all amiss employ'd. :What would you have me do? I am a subject, :And challenge law: attorneys are denied me; :And therefore personally I lay my claim :To my inheritance of free descent.

About this piece

Bolingbroke expresses his grievances and claims his rights after returning from banishment, confronting the injustices he has faced and appealing to his uncle for support.

30s · anger · identity · power · family · betrayal

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