Both Richard II and Macbeth contain the character of a power-hungry king. King Richard seems similar to King Macbeth in that both do anything to assert their authority (even murder) yet are essentially weak. Richard uses the theory of divine right to justify his actions, much like Macbeth tries to use the witches’ prophecy to justify his actions. Both characters also rashly invade other lands and do things without thinking them through. Richard also banishes his enemies and spends extravangantly, just like Macbeth.
John of Gaunt reminded me of Banquo. He is Richard’s friend and uncle, and tries to to correct Richard when he commits a rash act, but Richard doesn’t listen and inadvertently causes Gaunt’s death. Like Banquo in Macbeth, it seems as though Gaunt (and his son, Bolingbroke, who was banished by Richard in the beginning of the play) will indirectly get his revenge later on in the play.
Also like Macbeth, Richard has his dissenters, those who plan to rebel against him. Bolingbroke, along with the the Earl of Northumberland, Lord Ross, and Lord Willoughby, plan to stage a royal coup in England as soon as Richard leaves to invade Ireland. This mirrors the invasion of MacDuff and his army in Macbeth. At the end of Act II, Richard is cornered by the Welsh army. It seems that nothing but ominous things are in store for Richard…
