Act 2, Scene 4 Summary

A Welsh captain has been waiting for ten days for Richard with his army so they can attack Ireland. He tells the Earl of Salisbury, one of Richard's lords, that he will wait no longer and plans to return to Wales. Salisbury asks the Captain to wait one more day because Richard's hopes of victory lay on him and his army. The captain replies that there have been signs in nature and in the cosmos that suggest Richard is dead. As a result, many of the men have fled, not wanting to be seen supporting Richard if he has been deposed.

Act 2, Scene 4 Analysis

In many of Shakespeare's plays, nature reflects the state of the world. Here, it reflects the state of England. The Welsh captain tells us that the Bay trees are "all withered." If England is supposed to be...