Richard II

“Let’s purge this choler without letting blood—

This we prescribe, though no physician;

Deep malice makes too deep incision.

Forget, forgive; conclude and be agreed:

Our doctors say this is no month to bleed.”

Richard addresses Bolingbroke and Mowbray, hoping to persuade them to reach an amicable settlement of their dispute. The king speaks in rhyming couplets. The reference to bleeding is to the medical practice at the time of blood-letting in order to cure diseases. Richard plays on this meaning to make his point that Mowbray and Bolingbroke should be reconciled without bloodshed. The passage reflects the importance of the motif of blood in the play (See: Symbols & Motifs).

“We were not born to sue, but to command;

Which since we cannot do to make you friends,

Be ready, as your lives shall answer it.”

Richard here reminds everyone that it is not his job to “sue,” that is, make a request of others to resolve their disputes. As a king, it is his place to command. Thus, he here displays his power, telling the disputants to be ready for the trial by combat. Richard’s assertion of his own inherent authority that he was “born” to wield reflects the theme of The Problem of Order and Legitimacy in matters of kingship. 

“God’s is the quarrel—for God’s substitute,

His deputy anointed in His sight,

Hath caus’d his death; the which if wrongfully,

Let heaven revenge; for I may never lift

An angry arm against His minister.”

John of Gaunt speaks to the widowed Duchess of Gloucester. She is urging him to avenge the death of her husband, who was Gaunt’s brother. Gaunt believes that Richard may have been involved in the death, but he refuses to take any vengeful action against the king, whom he believes is appointed by God and serves as God’s representative.