King Richard II was a popular king. He had many nobles at the service. His rebellious cousin Bolingbroke attacks him with 10,000 men on his side. He sends message to the Welsh King for . sending his army to defeat Bolingbroke. But to his shock, Welsh army is not sent. He realizes with alarm the terrible fate he would suffer in the hands of his foe and his most impending death in captivity. King Richard is reminded of the power of death that overshadows everything else. Death scoffs at the power of rulers. Losing the battle, non-receipt of Welsh army and the prospect being jailed and killed worries Richard II.
He realizes that in the hollow crown death had reigned him. Infact, death, a jester had misled him to believe that he was monarchising England. He can now own only a patch of barren land. He is not an impregnable castle of brass anymore. He is an ordinary mortal. He too needs friends and needs to taste grief and face death.
“Life and death are illusions. We are in a constant state of transformation.”
