Bardology

Scene by Scene by Shakespeare:

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Richard II (1595-6)

In an atmosphere of bitterness and recrimination, Richard needs money for his military adventures in Ireland, and the death of his uncle gives him the chance to fill his coffers.

But while he’s in Ireland Henry Bolingbroke, lately banished from England by Richard, returns from exile to challenge the King’s authority.

The public support the rebels, and soldiers flock to Henry.  Richard has no choice but to accept defeat.  Henry commandeers the throne, and Richard is imprisoned.

Amid prophecies of forthcoming turmoil, family loyalties divide – while the former King is brutally murdered: not altogether unwelcome news for the new monarch.

Richard III (1592)

Richard is driven by cruelty.  When he orders Clarence killed, he blames the King, precipitating his demise.

Prince Edward is escorted to the tower.  Richard ensures there’s no escape for him.  Meanwhile he marries Anne, widow of another of his victims.

Buckingham persuades the reluctant population Richard should be their next King. Anne has now joined the princes as victims accumulate.

Richard tackles Elizabeth about marrying her daughter, but now Henry Tudor has gathered an army and landed in Britain.

As the armies meet at Bosworth, Richard is troubled by his victims’ ghosts craving his defeat – a wish that’s granted.

Romeo and Juliet (1595-6)

Romeo doesn’t care for his family’s feud with the Capulets, so when they throw a party, he’s happy to gate-crash.

The evening takes off when he meets their beautiful young daughter, and before the evening is over, they have sworn undying love.

But Romeo is hot-headed and when his friends are provoked by Juliet’s cousin, he reaches for his sword.  As punishment he is exiled, separated from Juliet, whose family are lining up the eligible Paris for marriage.

A plan to reunite the young lovers goes disastrously awry, resulting in two suicides and – too late – a commitment to reconciliation.

The Taming of the Shrew (1592)

Petruchio arrives in Padua keen to marry a woman of means, and Katherine fits the bill.  Except that she’s exceptionally hard to handle.

Still, once she’s married, the coast is clear for various suitors to romance her younger sister, the pliable Bianca – and there’s no shortage of candidates.

Meanwhile, Petruchio sets about taming Katherine, depriving her of food and sleep, convincing her that black is white.  Returning to Padua, she’s a changed woman.

There they find Lucentio, aided by his resourceful servant Tranio, triumphant as Bianca’s beau.  With their marriage completed, the stage is set for Katherine to reveal her transformation.