Act 2, Scene 1 Summary

Gaunt is ill, and waiting with York for the king to arrive. Gaunt asks York if he thinks the king will listen to what he has to say. York does not think so because the king listens only to his flatterers. Gaunt argues that the words of dying men always hold more weight because they have no reason not to be truthful. He makes a prophecy that if Richard continues behaving as he has, he will not live long: "His rash fierce blaze of riot cannot last."

King Richard finally arrives and Gaunt tries to warn Richard against some of the things he has been doing, such as giving his right to tax to his courtiers, and urges him to reform himself. Richard becomes angry at Gaunt, and says he would have Gaunt executed if he was not already dying.

Gaunt...