Richard II was first printed in 1597 in a good quality text most likely taken from Shakespeare's manuscript. Two reprints in 1598 mention Shakespeare as the author. Later prints in 1608 and 1615 appear to be taken from the earlier versions, but with the addition of the deposition scene in which Richard yields the throne. The First Folio of 1623 is the most comprehensive and probably used the promptbook as an additional source.
Richard II opens with two noblemen zealously defending their honor before Richard. He is called upon to settle a dispute in which Bolingbroke calls Mowbray a traitor. However, hidden behind the accusations is the fact that Richard himself is probably the man who...
