A Comparison of Corrupt Kings in Shakespeares Henry IV and Richard II

A successful monarchy relies upon a stable leader who is c one timerned with the satisfaction of those he rules over. Henry Bolingbroke the IV in Shakespeares Henry the IV Part I follows a gallery set by his predecessor in Richard II of self-indulgence and betray of his kingdom. These leaders worry about the possibility of losing their kingdom or their soldiers to other(a) nobles who were also concerned more with obtaining a higher sentiment alternatively than governing. The king must also be wary of his own life, something that was once revered and guarded closely by other nobles. Wars once fought for gaining or protecting land are overshadowed by personal battles fighting for the position of king. Henry proved himself a caterful and fearless leader when he forcefully overthrew King Richard despite the divine rights bestowed upon him. While this was disruptive to the country, it appeared that this raw(a) leader would be successful because of confidence and military strength. However, shortly later he obtained his position, Henry became aware of the forces pulling the king away from his duties. He fails to either ignore or eliminate these distractions and becomes absorbed in them sooner It countms then that the tidings of this broil/Brake off our business. (Henry, I, i, 47-48). Unfortunately, the king is not the only one neglecting the country. Most of the nobles realize their potential for additional power after the throne has been usurped. This disease, known as neglect, spreads through the ruling mannikin unnoticed by the inflicted. John of Gaunt is one of the few nobles to see what the English peasants have seen That England that was wont to conquer others / Hath made a calamitous conquest of itself. (Richard, II, i, 69-70). John of Gaunt sc... ...bination which proved to be impossible.Works Cited and ConsultedBarber, C.L. expression and Misrule in Henry IV. William Shakespeare Histories and Poems. Ed. Harold Bloom. mod York Chelsea House Pub lishers, 1986. 143-167.Bloom, Harold. Richard II, Part virtuoso Blooms Notes. New York Chelsea House, 1996.Cruttwell,Patrick. Hernry IV. Shakespeare For Students, Vol. II. Detroit Gale Publishing, 1999.Kantor, Andrea. Henry IV, Part One. London Barons Education Series, Inc, 1984.Princiss, G.M. Richard II Criticism. Shakespeare For Students, Vol.II. Detroit Gale Publishing, 1999.Shakespeare, William. Richard II The Norton Shakespeare. Ed Stephen Greenblatt, et al. New York W. W. Norton & Company, 1997.Shakespeare, William. Henry IV. In The Norten Anthology of English Literature. Eds. M.H. Abrams et all. 5th Ed. New York Norton, 1987.