What does an author intend to convey when he repeats certain words throughout a novel or a play? William Shakespeare uses this rhetorical strategy in his famous historical play, King Richard II. The two words “sacred” and “subject” are repeated more often in this piece than in any of his other works. The connotation these two words carry emphasizes the theme of the importance and sacred significance of being ordained by God to be king, and the important duty that this role entails, which is to serve the people. These two themes recur throughout the play, and both terms are constantly repeated to remind the audience of their frequent violation. Say no to plagiarism. Get a Custom Essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”?Get an Original Essay At the beginning of the play, Richard II repeatedly states that his subjects must be loyal and good to him, and that they will all be. treated equally regardless of their status. In Richard's opening lines, he asks John of Gaunt if his son will come to settle the matter with Mowbray "as a good subject should/On a known motive of treason on his part?" (1.1, 10-11) Richard himself, however, does not treat his subjects fairly; moreover, as we later learn, he was involved in the plot to kill his uncle, the Duke of Gloucester. Richard's strong hypocrisy is foreshadowed when he tells Mowbray that even the "nearness of our sacred blood" (1.1, 119) will not prevent Richard from being just to both parties. The murder of his uncle seems to be in complete opposition to this promise. Richard's constant repetition of the word "subject" creates a deep irony, as he makes Bullingbrook and Mowbray promise not to "plot, invent, or plot any evil against us, against our State, our subjects, or our land" (1.3, 198-190). This phrase reminds us once again of Richard's failure to keep his promises about his eventual taking of the Bullingbrook inheritance to use as funding for his war in Ireland. As John of Gaunt prophesies before he dies, "Richard's violent outburst of riots cannot last./For violent fires soon die out of themselves" (2.1, 33-4). Richard exceeded this limit by taking away the entire Bullingbrook inheritance. Additionally, the word "subject" is used by Bullingbrook to defend against York's opposition to his invasion of England. He exclaims: “I am a subject and I defy the law” (2.3, 132-3). After discovering that his own king had stolen his inheritance, which was supposed to protect his subjects and their interests, Bullingbrook, before he who had "the love of a subject" (1.1, 31) towards Richard, returned to take back what he had. is his own and defends himself with others from the mistreatment that their king inflicts on them. To Richard, however, Bullingbrook – and perhaps all his other subjects – are nothing more than “puny subjects” (3.2, 86) incapable of causing real harm. Paradoxically, Richard asks incredulously: “Submitted thus,/How can you tell me that I am a king? (3.2, 175-6), although his enslavement by his own subjects is only a response to his own abuses of power. In the play, the word “subject” is often placed next to or near the word “sacred.” The main allusion of this last word is to the ordination of the king by God. Presumably, this was the most sacred connection the people could have with God. God, they believed, places a king on earth so that he can rule his people by divine right. The theme of God commanding King Richard II to be king and Bullingbrook, in his revolt, angering God permeates the play. Richard alludes to this notion of sacred power.