Richard II – William Shakespeare

Richard II – William Shakespeare |

King Richard the Second is ahistory playbyWilliam Shakespearebelieved to have been written in approximately 1595. It is based on the life of KingRichard II of England(ruled 1377?1399) and is the first part of atetralogy, referred to by some scholars as theHenriad, followed by three plays concerning Richard’s successors:Henry IV, Part 1;Henry IV, Part 2; andHenry V.

Although theFirst Folio(1623) edition of Shakespeare’s works lists the play as a history play, the earlierQuartoedition of 1597 calls itThe tragedie of King Richard the second.