Shakespeare's works were grouped into three categories: comedies, tragedies, and histories. The stories were those comedies based on the lives of English kings. Shakespeare was one of the first writers to write about English history. According to Garber, "before Shakespeare's time there were few historical works written in England---the history of England was told in verse and prose chronicles (239)." Richard II is believed to be one of the first “history plays”. The show became so iconic that even Queen Elizabeth said she was "Richard the Second, don't you know." Richard II tells the story of the fall of a king. Richard II is not your average king. He is useless with his power and doesn't know how to use it. He is the king of England at the beginning of the play, but his kingdom is taken from him shortly thereafter. Richard II is a young man who has not matured much since his adolescence. He is disconnected from his land and his people, which becomes one of the flaws of his crown. He has an extraordinary talent for poetic language. His witty and poetic personality doesn't work with his higher calling in life. A king should be strong and fearless. King Richard II is not a man of action and as the play progresses, he gets into more and more trouble. As it nears its end, it becomes very poetic. Like most Shakespearean heroes, Richard II has a strong theatrical personality. He likes to put on a show and likes puns, even at his own expense. What distinguishes him from other Shakespearean characters is the perverse joy he feels at his fall. There are many tragic events that lead to Richard's downfall and consequently the loss of his crown. The most important thing was that basically no... middle of paper... no moral and real principles. By the end of this play, it is clear that Richard has completely questioned the concept of divine right and when he must lose the crown and hand England over to his enemy, he dramatically states: "Throw away respect, tradition, form and ceremonial duty". ; Because all this time you've just been misunderstanding me. I live on bread like you, I feel the need, I taste the pain, I need friends. (3.3.172-76). Just because Richard has the divine right to be king doesn't mean he is the right choice to meet the requirements of what it takes to be a great king. Richard lacked the willpower of a leader. His downfall was his fault in the sense that he couldn't concentrate to see what he was doing to his region as a ruler. He failed as a leader but at the same time earned much better than a crown, Richard understood who he is.