The Importance of Honor in Richard IIThe tension-filled exchange between Bolingbroke and Mowbray in the opening scenes of Richard II provides thrilling action for the audience and gives a overview of trial by combat and the importance of honor in Shakespeare's plays. Trial by combat, or judicial duel, was a traditional way of settling disputes in England and Europe for many generations. People fought to defend their own honor and to prove their personal claims against the honor of others. Honor. Honor is the accumulation of virtuous acts that inspire respect in others and in yourself. Possessing, pursuing and defending the elusive trait of honor are crucial elements of Richard II. The concept of honor has different meanings for individual members of a modern audience, just as it does for an Elizabethan audience. What is honorable? What makes someone honorable? Aristotle thought: there is no true honor in the world except that which comes from virtue. Virtue does not seek a greater or broader theater to show itself than its own conscience. The higher the Sun, the less shadow it casts, and the greater a man's virtue, the less he seeks glory. (quoted in Council 28) Thus, according to Aristotle's reasoning, those who seek honor are in fact not honorable because they deliberately seek honor, which is a vice. The Council sums up Aristotle’s argument very well: “virtue consists in action; the reward for this action is honor; to seek more honor than is justified by virtuous action or to seek honor for its own sake is a vice” (19). Honor is also eloquently described by Rabelais' definition of honor to the Thelemites, "because free men, well born and well educated, and accustomed to honest societies, have the nature... in the midst of paper... ...Mon New York: WW Norton, 1994.12. Seldon, John. Table-Talk [1689] London: Alex, Murray & Son, 1868.13. the Second." The Complete14. Bookmark Classic Shakespeare. Toronto: Harcourt Brace Johanovich, Publishers, 1972. You may wish to begin your essay with the quotes below: Bolingbroke: My body will do good on this earth, Or my soul divine will answer it in heaven. You are a traitor and an unbeliever (Richard II, 1.1.37-39) Mowbray: I take it and by this sword I swear, Who has gently placed my knighthood on my shoulder, I will answer you in every fair degree or chivalrous conception of chivalrous trial; and when I rise, may I not be alive, if I am a traitor or fight unjustly (Richard II., 1.1.78-83)