The development of Shakespeare's king in Richard II, Richard III, Henry IV, Henry VShakespeare's plays beginning with Richard II and ending with Henry V present a interesting look at the role of a king. England's search for the "mirror of all Christian kings" provided an opportunity to explore the many facets of kingship, showing the strengths and weaknesses of both the office and the men who occupied it. Through careful examination, Shakespeare develops the “king” as a physical, emotional, and psychological being. By presenting the strengths and weaknesses of these characteristics, Shakespeare presents a unified look at the concept of "kingship" and demonstrates that the failure to achieve an adequate balance in the struggle "king against man" leads to Ongoing bloodshed examined in this tetralogy and the next. Richard II demonstrates the extreme vanity of divine right. He abuses his power and position by only caring about the royal image he projects. His desire is the physical and majestic appearance accompanied by the power and wealth of royalty. Richard wants to “look” at the role he succeeds in playing. In Richard II III.iii, York says of Richard in line 68: “Yet he looks like a king!” Richard does not care whether he is truly a king when it comes to responsibility for his subjects. He interpreted divine right as an agreement from God to him, without any obligation to the subjects over whom he exercises dominion. This is illustrated in his attitude towards his sick uncle, John of Gaunt, when he says to his friends: "Come, gentlemen, let us all visit him." Let us pray to God that we may hurry and arrive too late" (RII I.iv.63 -64)." Richard's only interest is in the domains of Gaunt... middle of paper ......:Yale UP, 1990.6. Chapman, George. All Fools. Ed. Frank Manley: University of Nebraska P, 1968. London: George Allen & Unwin Ltd. , 1973.8. Craig, Horace S. Dueling Scenes and Terms in the Plays of Shakespeare. Los Angeles: U of California P, 1940.9. Brawl Ridiculous: Sword Fights in the Plays of Shakespeare. Manchester UP, 1992.10. The duel in European history. Oxford: Oxford UP, 1988.11. . Seldon, John. Table discussion [1689]. Ed. Edward Arber. London: Alex, Murray & Son. Shakespeare, The Complete. Toronto: Harcourt Brace Johanovich, publishers, 1972