Richard II is one of shakespeare's finest works: lucid, wloquent, and boldly structured. it can be seen as a tragedy, or a histrorical play, or a political drama, or as one part of a vast dramatic eyele which helped to generate england's national identity. today to some of us, richard II may appear conservative; but in shakespeare's day, it could appear subversive ; i'am richard II, deelared an indignant queen elizabeth. numerous recent revivals inthe theatre and on screen have demonstrated the enduring power and poignancy of this drama of the downfall of an egoistie but pitiable monarch.