How we cite our quotes: (Act.Scene.Line)
Quote #7
KING RICHARD II
Then give me leave to go.
HENRY BOLINGBROKE
Whither?
KING RICHARD II
Whither you will, so I were from your sights.
HENRY BOLINGBROKE
Go, some of you convey him to the Tower.
KING RICHARD II
O, good! convey? conveyers are you all,
That rise thus nimbly by a true king's fall. (4.1.14)
This is a weird little scene. After Richard gives up his crown to Henry, he asks if Henry will grant him permission to leave. This is odd, don't you think? Richard's not going on vacation – he's going to be locked up in solitary confinement. Although Richard isn't being expelled from England, his imprisonment is as just as bad as being exiled, wouldn't you say?
Quote #8
KING RICHARD II
Doubly divorced! Bad men, you violate
A twofold marriage, 'twixt my crown and me,
And then betwixt me and my married wife.
Let me unkiss the oath 'twixt thee and me;
And yet not so, for with a kiss 'twas made.
Part us, Northumberland; I toward the north,
Where shivering cold and sickness pines the clime;
My wife to France: from whence, set forth in pomp,
She came adorned hither like sweet May,
Sent back like Hallowmas or short'st of day.
QUEEN
And must we be divided? must we part?
KING RICHARD II
Ay, hand from hand, my love, and heart from heart. (5.1.3)
When Richard learns that Henry has decided to send him to Pomfret Castle in Yorkshire instead of the Tower of London, he describes his imprisonment as a kind of double divorce. Not only has he been divided from his crown, but now he's being divided from his wife, who's being sent to France. Why doesn't Henry just banish Richard to some far off country? Keep reading...
Quote #9
QUEEN
Banish us both and send the king with me.
NORTHUMBERLAND
That were some love but little policy. (5.2.4)
When the queen begs for her husband to be banished along with her to France, she reveals just how little she knows about politics. As Northumberland points out, it wouldn't be very smart for Henry to send Richard to France with his wife. He could come back with an army and challenge Henry. Or worse, they could have a child who might grow up and make a legal claim to the crown. Banishment isn't really an option here, which is why Henry suggests to Exton that someone needs to get "rid" of Richard... permanently.