Exhibition: Shakespeare at the OU

To illustrate further how interpretations of the text can result in radically different portrayals of the characters here is a longer clip which presents different understandings of the theme of PATRIOTISM in Richard II (Clip 5). David Giles puts forward the view that England itself may be regarded as the hero of this play, and he mistrusts the love of England exhibited by the two principal rivals for the throne: Richard himself and Henry Bolingbroke, who will become King Henry IV before the play is over. The true patriot in the play, because his love of his country has no dimension of self-interest, is surely John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster; and this clip ends with his celebrated speech in praise of England, delivered by the iconic actor, Sir John Gielgud.

View Clip 5