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- Richard II is majestically seated on his throne preparing to judge two noblemen accusing each other of treason. Richard orders both men to be brought before the throne. They enter and immediately hurl accusations at each other, in the process getting so mad that each man throws down his gage (a glove), which is a challenge to a duel. Richard tries to reestablish order by asking Bolingbroke to tell him the exact charges of treason. Bolingbroke accuses Mowbray of stealing money which was designated for army purposes. He further accuses Mowbray of killing the Duke of Gloucester, or Thomas of Woodstock, one of Richard's uncles whom Mowbray was ordered to guard. Mowbray defends himself, telling Richard that the money was his because it paid off a loan he had previously made to the king. He admits that he failed to protect Gloucester, and is ambiguous about how it happened. However, most detrimental of all, Mowbray admits to having once plotted against Richard, but claims to regret it.Richard orders the two men to obey his command, and asks them to forgive and forget the entire episode. John of Gaunt pleads with Bolingbroke to give up the challenge to a duel, and Richard tries to make Mowbray listen to him, but in vain. Both men remain resolute, and Mowbray finally bows down and indicates he cannot avoid the fight since his honor is at stake. Richard is unable to control the two men, and finally is forced to allow them a chivalric duel in the ancient medieval manner.
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- In Windsor Castle
- King Richard II
- John of Gaunt
- various other nobles and attendants
- Henry Bolingbroke
- Thomas Mowbray
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- This scene is in medias res, connoting chaos under the rule of Richard II.
- On the surface, the accusations are simple enough. Bolingbroke is accusing Mowbray of embezzlement, conspiracy against the king and most recently, the involvement in the murder of the Duke of Gloucester. Mowbray replies to these accusations in very ambiguous language "I slew him not; but to my own disgrace/ Neglected my sworn duty in that case."
- What is happening here is that nobody is daring to speculate the unspoken truth that Richard himself was involved in his uncle Duke of Gloucester's death. We learn this in the next scene from John of Gaunt. This creates an atmosphere of hypocrisy and we can see the lengths that Richard II goes to in order to secure his position as king.
- Although it appears in this first scene, in comparison to the rest of the play, that Richard has ultimate power and respect over his subjects, he is presented as a weak and powerless, as when he orders peace and reconciliation, Bolingbroke and Mowbray refuse.
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- "High-stomach’d are they both, and full of ire,In rage deaf as the sea, hasty as fire." Ironic as Richard II himself is so proud that he too acts recklessly.
- "Many years of happy days befal/My gracious sovereign, my most loving liege!" Richard is initially well respected by Bolingbroke.
- "In the devotion of a subject’s love/ Tendering the precious safety of my prince" ironic as Bolingbroke turns against him.
- "My dear dear lord,The purest treasure mortal times afford180Is spotless reputation: that away,Men are but gilded loam or painted clay." Forebodes the tarnishing of Richard II's reputation amongst his subjects.
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