Richard II

This control over language and ceremony by Richard never is more apparent than in this scene. He brilliantly tells Bolingbroke, "Here cousin, seize the crown. On this side my hand, on that side thine" (4.1.173). Two hands on the crown, two men holding the same crown, symbolically represents the fact that with the usurpation of the throne Bolingbroke will split England in what will eventually lead to the War of the Roses
Richard, now utterly alone, transforms into a tremendously powerful orator. He continues to compare himself with Christ, saying
Richard for the first time abandons language in this final act. Throughout the play he has not fought with anyone, preferring instead to defend himself with language. However, in scene five he becomes the aggressor, succeeding in killing two men before being killed himself. This change in Richard, from using language and ceremony to adopting war and violence, comes too late for him. Had he chosen to fight earlier in the play, history might h...