“Our lands, our lives, and all, are Bolingbroke’s, And nothing can we call our own but death;”

Question

Explain the following lines with reference to the context in about 5 to 8 lines:

“Our lands, our lives, and all, are Bolingbroke’s, 

And nothing can we call our own but death;”

Answer 1

Reference: These lines are from the poem “The Hollow Crown” by William Shakespeare. The poem is an excerpt from the play “Richard II”.

Context: Richard II after being defeated by his rebellious cousin Bolingbroke says these words in dejection.

Explanation: Henry II is routed in the war. Some of his loyal nobles try to cheer him up. But Richard II faces the hard reality. He openly admits his failure. He says their lands, lives and all belong to the victor Bolingbroke. They can call nothing but death as their own.

Comment: Death is inevitable.