View a FREE sample

Act 1, Scene 1

• Bolingbroke accuses Mowbray of the murder of the Duke Gloucester and treason; Mowbray accuses Bolingbroke of treason.

• King Richard sets a date for the men to duel.

Act 1, Scene 2

• The Duchess of Gloucester wants her husband's death avenged. The Duke is also Gaunt's brother.

• Richard's righteousness is brought in to question; Gaunt implies he had something to do with Gloucester's death.

• John of Gaunt refuses to act vengefully, because his beliefs are firm that the king is God's anointed ruler on Earth and God will judge the guilty accordingly.

Act 1, Scene 3

• Bolingbroke and Mowbray are prepared to duel one another.

• As the duel begins, Richard signals for the ritual to cease.

• Richard banishes Bolingbroke and Mowbray from England: Bolingbroke for six years, Mowbray for life.

Act 1, Scene 4

• Richard is revealed as a tyrant.

• He relishes in Bolingbroke's banishment.

• He is pleased to learn Gaunt is dying...

(read more Chapter Abstracts)

This section contains 875 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample