Quotes in Act 1, Scene 2

Question 1

Gaunt cannot avenge his father’s death because Richard is king

Answer 1

“God’s is the quarrel; for gods substitute his deputy anointed… I may never lift an angry arm against his minister”

Question 2

Why doesn’t gaunt take revenge ?

Answer 2

Treason against king would be blasphemy against god.

God will take vengeance

Question 3

Significance of scene?

Answer 3

Private / intimate just after the pomp and ceremony.

Public and private issues, corruption of the England under Richards rule

Audience scrutinise Richard already

Question 4

Private issue

Answer 4

Death of Gloucester

Crime against family honour and sin against nature

Question 5

Duchess metaphor for death of Gloucester

Answer 5

“One vial full of Edwards sacred blood one flourishing branch of his most royal root is brackets and all the precious liquor split”

Question 6

Duchess wants revenge

Answer 6

“The best way is to venge my Gloucesters death”