Richard II considers the kingship a personal possession and ornament rather than a serious duty. This is shown by his inability to listen to the nobles trying to guide him, his belief that he is king by divine right and thus will not be displaced, and because he does not try or care to connect with the citizens he governs over.
             Throughout King Richard II, many nobles try to give Richard guidance, especially Gaunt and York. Richard, however, does not listen because he believes that the kingship gives him a right to do whatever he pleases. For example, when Gaunt lays on his deathbed and Richard comes to bid him farewell, Gaunt tries to impart his wisdom on his young nephew. Gaunt speaks of the beauty and wonder of England, emphasizing how it should and could be that way again, only if Richard stops his actions and becomes a true king. Instead of taking Gaunt's heartfelt advice, Richard calls Gaunt "a lunatic lean-witted fool/ presuming on an age's privilege" (II.i.115-116). Gaunt has the luxury of speaking the truth, an act unthinkable to most nobles if they wish to keep their heads, because he is laying on his deathbed. However, instead of listening to any of that which Gaunt has to say, Richard criticizes Gaunt, saying, "Wert thou not brother to great Edward's son,/ This tongue that runs so roundly in thy head/ Should run thy head from they unreverent shoulders" (II.i.121-123). Here, Richard threatens Gaunt that if he was not nobility, Richard would have him killed for his words. Gaunt is an old, honest man who, even on the verge of death, is trying to restore England to its place of glory. Richard, however, does not care about what is happening to his kingdom as a result of his inability to govern, and he believes that no one has the right to question his kingship. This demonstrates how Richard views his role as king. If Richard was doing what was best for England, he would gladly...