Journal 17
Submitted by Anonymous on Thu, 02/11/2010 - 20:59
I definitely found this play a little confusing. I think it's because I don't know alot about the history surrounding Richard II. This first scene was about a conflict between Bolingbroke and Mawbry over acts of treason. Bolingbroke accused Mawbry of treason and conspiracy. Since they couldn't settle their differences, they challenged each other to a duel. I didn't think that there was much contradiction between their words and actions. Their words were just as violent as their actions with throwing down their "gage". They not only each throw down their gages, but insult each other mercilessly.
I'm in the same boat as far
I'm in the same boat as far as my knowledge of the history surrounding this play. It doesn't make it any easier that I find the whole thing kind of boring.
Yes
That's the exact reason I wasn't very excited to read a historical play. It makes more sense if we know the background of a play, but it's hard when we know nothing. I was hoping we would at least read one of the plays surrounding King Henry VIII because everyone knows his general history with his many wives. I agree, I find this one fairly boring too.
Gages.
I've read Act 1 about four times now, it is confusing. I agree that their words were violent, but I don't think that throwing the gages was violent. I believe it was more a proving a point, to back up their words and accusations. It seemed like the gages were to show how serious they were and that they were willing to lose their lives for what they believe to be true.
Megan Baeth-Brison