Richard II

According to Nigel Saul, Richard II is one of the most enigmatic of English Kings. In reference to a maximum of two adaptations/performances, discuss the ambiguity of his character and the play’s attitude towards usurping a King.

I will be looking at two adaptations of Richard II. The first will be RSC’s theatre

production which was live-broadcasted while in production and then turned into a

DVD version. The second will be ‘The Hollow Crown’ which is an episode from a

series of film adaptations. Although both of the actors are cast to play the same

character, they contrast each other from their outfits within scenes, their way of

talking and facial expressions.

The difference in the same character is purposeful to each director of these

adaptations. Goold (director of ‘The Hollow Crown’) said in an interview ‘I wanted […]

someone who was distant, poetically, in their soul’. He said this in reference to

casting Ben Whishaw as his Richard II, and the image he had for his adaptation. By

casting his Richard as otherworldly it allowed for Whishaw’s character of Richard be

more emotional and poetic. Goold focused heavily on not only Whishaw’s acting

of the character but his demeanour and how he dressed. When focusing on the

characteristics of Goold’s Richard, at first glance you can see his inherent need to be

God-like. In the opening of his deposition scene, Richard is seen wearing a flowing,

white robe adorned by golden linings along his sleeves and neck. He lacks shoes,

showing just how little he now has. This scene shows Richard at his lowest moment

of life - where he has lost everything. The way both of the adaptations dress Richard

within this scene is similar. In RSC’s ‘Richard II’ Doran has dressed Tennant in a

more simple way than Goold. Tennant is seen wearing a plain white gown, with a

heavy metal cross hanging low on his chest. Once more, Tennant wears no shoes

and his long hair is let loose in no style. The two have a similar way of being dressed

to show their lack of material objects but also their lack of meaning. Richard as

character sought meaning through being a king, adorning himself with meaningless

jewels and beautiful metaphors to hide from the cruel world. By dressing both

Richard’s in simple robes with lack of shoes with loose hair it reflects the image of

Jesus. The religious aspects shine throughout the films and accurately shows the

feelings of usurping a rightful king.

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