Journal 19: Aside from a king
Richard, in act three, is trying to define himself. He is also asking the question, "What is X?" And it's a good question to ask. He's finding out that everyone is deserting him and all his plans are failing. Upon hearing the Welsh armies had left him, he turns pale. Aumerle tells him to "remember who you are." Richard then says, "I had forgot myself. Am I not King?" This part really stuck out to me after reading the prompt. So what is X? He is King... for what that's worth. He is betrayed. He's too late. He's confused. He's angry. He's hurt. What does he do? He tries... but he also fails. He's in a rough spot. I guess as far as "What does X mean?" one could argue that King Richard proves a point. I'm not yet positive what that point is going to be, but I think he will. This act is pretty depressing really, but I found it a little bit easier to read.
X is a person
It seemed to me in this scene that King Richard actually became a person for me because of the way he was doubting, failing, and actually reacting. Now that King Richard is trying he's a pathetic character (to me, at least, in both senses of the word.) It's like the song lyric "Those who don't try never look foolish." The king has spent so long just waving things off and going with the flow, but now he has to fight and it's not going well. He's realizing that he's friendless and skilless and screwed.
Erin Kay Schulz
Emotions
Idefinitely agree with your ideas about "What King Richard is" I really like the "Am I not King?" line as well.
*Tina
hmm....
after reading it that way, your right. he does sound more, well, actually understanding whats going on to a certain degree by this point.
"Oh great Sandwich Maker from Bob! Life, will be a very great deal less weird without you" Old Thrashbarg
deno
This must be it
Wow, I did mine on the same lines. But I think that there will probably be others who use this passage as well. It is a very determining line for Richard. I think this scene is one of the most dynamic of the play so far. It has a lot of the "I am the King!" gusto. I bet this was what Queen Elizabeth had in mind when she said, "I am Richard!", or when she said something like that. At least I think that is what Bleck quoted from her...
It seems to me as though
It seems to me as though king richards humanity has come into play, and his "Am I not the king" is his last hope to hold on to what he was claimed by so many people to be. But it is such a powerful statement that He Is The King, because with that in mind, he really can't be wrong.
Ryan K Bishop