Richard II is one of Shakespeares most poetically beautiful yet most underrated plays. It depicts the struggle between two conflicting ideas of leadership: the divine right of kings, represented by Richard, and power by conquest, represented by his cousin and rival, Henry Bolingbroke. At the same time, it is both an intimate family story, with Richard and Bolingbrokes many uncles, aunts and cousins vying for influence, and a cautionary tale against tyranny, cronyism and hubris. To conceal his betrayal of the Duke of Gloucester, Richard banishes Bolingbroke from England. When Bolingbrokes mother, Joan of Gaunt, dies, Richard seizes his absent cousins inheritance to fund a war in Ireland. Bolingbroke, incensed, raises an army and returns to England to fight for her title and lands. What follows is a battle not only of might but of personalities, with the stakes nothing less than the soul of the nation. Contains some violent scenes.