Shakespeare's Richard II (1978 TV) Act 2, scene 1( (part 1)

[IOPzK]

i have an essay to do on Richards kingship . And I must say WTF ! What the fuck am I suppose to write !

[luvinwafflez]

performing the speech starting at 1:33 for my Shakespeare course, Gielgud delivers it so well.

[Dandewine89]

"This precious stone set in the silver sea, which serves it in the office of a wall or a moat defensive to one house against the enemy of less happier lands"

Gieglud truly was ideally suited for giving powerful speeches in Shakespearian fashion, building in momentum as he reaches the fulcrum and leaving a strong effect. He was exceptional as Percy (Hotspur) in the next part of the tetralogy, Henry IV. He nails the Scene 3 Act 1 speech to King Henry, his refusal to give up war prisoners.

[roronewman1]

@Dandewine89 *envy of less happier lands

[cdrecords001]

When I watch this, all I can think of is the modern US. "Bound in with shame, with inky blots and rotten parchment bonds. That England that was wont to conquer others, hath made a shameful conquest of itself." Speaks volumes of my country.

[BillieJolene1]

@cdrecords001 well said, i totally agree.

[TheSwynford]

Where can I buy it on dvd oder video? I don´t find something like that.

[edboswell]

Vex not yourself. This precious stone set in the silver sea. Without doubt, England's best description.

[iliveunderyourstairs]

Gielgud is a perfect example of building a speech. he slowly ascends this scene to the very end. not starting at 1,000 feet leaving himself nowhere to go. he hits home every single word to Richard and makes the scene beyond powerful

[Super8StrikesBack]

Richard II was just incompetent, he was far too busy taking enjoying the pleasures of being a king: the parades, trains, etc.

[Warwickcain]

Is Richard II not meant to be disabled?

[TheHachmom]

he did this speech so well......

[92af]

John Gielgud was a great actor

[plip365]

An incredibly stirring speech

[darkhyena]

What is Gaunt dying of?

[noirgris0]

Oldness?

[edboswell]

Does this sound like the speech of a common man? Or does it sound like a highly educated and verbose royal? Truth will reveal itself over time. Edward de Vere, nothing truer than truth!

[ion871]

Edward de Vere?

Don't be so ignorant.

[edboswell]

I assume you know not of what you speak. Are Sigmund Freud, Orson Welles, Sir Derek Jacobi, and Scalia and Stevens of the Supreme Court ignorant? That makes you a true giant among men, to blow off such people as being ignorant. CHEERS!!!! happy reading!

[Prycik]

You forgot the original proponant of the Oxfordian theory- the venerable Mr. J. Thomas LOONEY.

[edboswell]

Too many names to mention. Henry James, Hawthorne, Justice Blackman, Michael York, Paul Nitze, Sir George Greenwood, Malcolm X, 10 curators at Huntington Library,  Looney deserves special attention, as the person who unveiled the identity of "Shake-speare" in 1920.

[pipmypap999]

"all too late comes counsel to be heard,

where will doth mutiny with wit's regard."

"small showers last long but sudden storms are short."

[barcalonga]

Thank you so much for this - it is truly one of the finest productions I have seen of this play.

[DanGraser]

"Live in thy shame, but die not shame with thee."

This is Shakespearian acting at its finest. Thank you for posting, Gielgud needs to be seen and heard by everyone.

[NuckinFuts666]

Great speech. To all fellow patriots, it is your duty to support and vote for the only party that will save English culture and put the Great back into Britain. Vote BNP before it's too late

[Onomacritus]

Great stuff! I only wish we had more of Gielgud available in video. Too much of his best acting was done in the theatre, and lives only in the fading memory of aging British playgoers.

[xinistri]

That England that was wont to conquer others, hath made a shameful conquest of itself!

[ludocrat]

Indeed.

[mig25pd]

I know, I know. That line cuts very deep - and makes me so sad for what we have done with our children's heritage.

[phreakyphreaky]

When I was at school, my English teacher had the cheek to relate that remark to Mrs Thatcher. Of course it is much more appropriate in 2009 than it was in 1989 ...

[vagabondicus]

@xinistri Truth.

[elsaucemonster]

BRAVISSIMO!!

im speechless

[zakvoodoo]

The strong headed king Richard II ever known in England history, the emotional acting childly king...Hail Shekspearian king

[donning]

Love this!

[RichardBUnique]

Now this IS acting.