Rhetoric Of Richard II

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In Act Two, Scene Three of Richard II, the audience gets a glimpse of Bolingbroke’s slow rise to power, which ultimately reaches its culmination when Richard II is deposed and he becomes king. As the characters followers realize the potential deposition of King Richard II, they begin to flatter Bolingbroke in hopes of rewards for their allegiance to him. Playwright William Shakespeare uses the pace and repetition of language in order to highlight comical exchanges of sycophancy used in dialogue with Bolingbroke. We shall see that Bolingbroke directly recognizes and expresses gratitude to Harry Percy, the only character that speaks honestly and without superficial compliments.
The initial exchange between Bolingbroke and Northumberland at the beginning of the scene reveals Northumberland’s desire for acceptance and in hopes of acquiring money if Bolingbroke becomes king. The following presents Northumberland responding to Bolingbroke’s brief question with an answer along with an extensive, unnecessary speech of praise:
BOLINGBROKE: How far is it, my lord to Berkeley now?
NORTHUMBERLAND: Believe me, noble lord,
I am a stranger here in Gloucestershire.
These high wild hills and rough uneven ways
Draws out our miles and makes them wearisome.
And yet you fair discourse hath been as sugar,
Making the hard way sweet and delectable.
But I bethink me what a weary way
From Ravenspurgh to Cotshall will be found
In Ross and Willoughby, wanting your company,
Which, I protest, hath very much beguiled
The tediousness and process of my travel.
But theirs is sweetened with the hope to have
The present benefit which I possess,
And hope to joy is little less in joy
Than hope enjoyed. By this weary lords
Shall make their way seem short as mine hath done
By sight of what I have, your noble company. (II.iii.1-18)

Notice the contrast between Bolingbroke’s question and Northumberland’s a...