Taking One for the Team . . . I mean King

From the very beginning of the play, Richard has subjects who step up to take responsibility for his decisions. Ordering Mowbry to kill Glouchester isn't a radical move for a king fighting to keep the power of his throne. However, the language Shakespeare uses and the secrecy he implements during the scene at Gaunt's house reeks of cowardice, an attribute no one wants in a sovereign.

That being said (and as many posts so far have discussed), Shakepeare's emphasis on Richard's kingliness through Boilingbroke juxtaposes the assumptions we make of a king, especially one who is saved by the grace of history, with the blatant cowardice of his actions. Unless being king exempts him from cowardice? Does power overcome deception, or is power itself a deception if lies are needed to keep it?

Love and Lies

Let me just dictate my thinking process here:

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How does Henry communicate? Does Henry lie?

It seems like Henry has nothing to gain from convincing Katharine to marry him. During that time period women have very little choice especially in terms of political agendas, so he really has nothing to gain from convincing her that he loves her. Her father will most likely sign the treaty regardless of how Katharine feels about Henry. So why does Henry take the time to “woo” Katharine? What does he gain from this?

Then I thought, “Well maybe everyone else is right. What if Henry is lying?” But that didn’t sit well with me, so I did some research about why people lie and the affects that lying has on interpersonal relationships. One article I found discussed Attachment Theory and authenticity.

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Attachment Theory: “The theory is built on the core observation that security-enhancing caregivers or “attachment figures” (usually beginning with parents or other primary care providers in childhood) help a child develop positive mental representations of self and relationship partners.”

Authenticity: is being honest with, or true to, oneself

“Children and adults with a history of supportive attachment relationships are notably less defensive, more mindful of their feelings, more genuinely empathic, and more open in communicating with relationship partners,” and attachment insecurity “is associated with negative views of relationship partners, unwillingness to disclose feelings to partners; reluctance to seek and provide help; and low relationship satisfaction, trust, and commitment” and “fears of rejection or abandonment and doubts about one's value to other people.”