Literature

This speech gives much information to the reader especially when considering the underlying feelings in the play Richard II.  Gaunt is an uncle of King Richard II, his brother being Richards father, and the previous king of England.  Gaunt is one of two uncles that still live and try to give their counsel to the young arrogant King.  Richard thinks of them as old dogs and unless they follow him they are unworthy.  This is how he believes and feels, and is the reason for this speech by Gaunt.

The speech begins with a warning from Gaunt in which he is trying to warn Richard about his current actions.  Methinks I am a prophet new inspird,  And thus expiring do foretell (2.1.31-32) sets the tone of the speech, by telling the reader or audience that he is about to give a warning to the King, and that he is only doing this because he can see what is coming if things do not change.  He is also telling this, because he is on his deathbed and it is his last moment to counsel Richard in his erring ways.  This first section uses analogies old sayings about the ways one should act, such as acting to quickly without thinking it through.  In fact within the first nine lines, Gaunt uses seven different adages that are all saying the same thing, slow down and think before you act or your actions will be in vain.

Within the next seventeen lines Gaunt identifies and defines England.  Again using symbolic language, he tells of the majesty of the island.  Initially the speed is giving the basis of the lauding of England
This royal throne of kings, this sceptred isle,
This earth of majesty, this seat of Mars
This other Eden, demi-paradise
This fortress built by Nature for herself
Against infection and the hand of war (2.1.40-44).

Calling England the royal throne of kings (2.1.40) or this other Eden (2.1.43) shows the love that Gaunt has for England.  To him, the island is sacred and has been made an island to keep her and her people away from the common and the defiled others of the continent.

After giving the warning to Richard about acting and thinking rashly, then glorifying England, Gaunt tells of how the rashness of Richard will defile England.  He states Dear for her reputation through the world,  Is now leasd out  I die pronouncing it -  Like to a tenement or pelting farm (2.1.58-60). He believes the actions of Richard and his want for war with Ireland is degrading Englands sacredness and defiling the Kings divinity.  Gaunt emphasizes the role of the sea to Englands safety England, bound in with the triumphant sea,  Whose rocky shore beats back the envious siege (2.1.61-62).

Gaunt realizes that he has not gotten through to King Richard II and sadly proclaims at the end of the speech
That England, that was wont to conquer others,
Hath made a shameful conquest of itself,
Ah, would the scandal vanish with my life,
How happy then were my ensuing death (2.1.65-68)

This tells Richard that what he is doing in his quest to conquer Ireland is wrong, not just an act of war, but for the life of England.  This quest is a shameful and indulgent war and is not in the best interest of England.  However from this speech it becomes obvious that Gaunt believes Richards actions are for the interest of the king alone. He even begs gently to let the shame die with him and no more act in the manner by attacking Ireland, but even as he speaks the words, he knows that is not likely.

The entire speech is made up of symbolic adages. Gaunt was trying desperately to teach and counsel King Richard against his arrogance and his interest in Ireland.  Gaunt never once said that the king was wrong, but did through imagery and symbolism show that the actions of the king were wrong.  Unfortunately, it is apparent at the end of the speech that Gaunt knows the King has not taken heed and will still follow his own interests and Gaunt will die knowing the shame of England.