Why does Shakespeare use the metaphor of a garden to describe the state of a rotting monarchy? This Richard II Literary Devices Quiz examines the metaphors, puns and poetic structure of the play. Start the first set of questions by seeking the deeper meaning in the verse.
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Richard II Literary Devices Quiz Questions
- What literary device dominates Richard’s “sad stories of the death of kings” speech?
- When Richard compares himself to the sun setting, what device is used?
- John of Gaunt’s “This blessed plot, this earth, this realm, this England” uses which device?
- Richard’s description of his mirror breaking represents which device?
- When Gaunt refers to England as a “teeming womb of royal kings,” what device appears?
- The play’s frequent references to “blood” as lineage employ what device?
- When Richard calls himself “a mockery king of snow,” which device is this?
- The phrase “the hollow crown that rounds the mortal temples of a king” is an example of what?
- When the Queen says “some unborn sorrow,” what device does she use?
- When Richard’s fall is compared to the fall of Lucifer, which device is used?
- In the line “Let’s talk of graves, of worms, and epitaphs,” what device is dominant?
- When Bolingbroke is described as “the caterpillar of the commonwealth,” what device is used?
- The mirror scene relies heavily on what device?
- The use of gardens and decay throughout the play represents what?
- When Richard’s words contrast his actions, which device is evident?
- The frequent references to “time” in the play serve as what?
- When the gardener compares England to a neglected garden, which device is this?
- The description “The land is full of weeds” symbolizes what device?
- When Richard refers to himself as “unking’d by Bolingbroke,” what device is shown?
- When Carlisle warns that Bolingbroke’s usurpation will bring chaos, what device is used?
- In Richard’s line “Down, down I come, like glistering Phaethon,” what device is used?
- When Richard personifies the earth as mourning his fall, which device is used?
- The play’s alternation between verse and prose represents what literary feature?
- The term “dear earth of England” demonstrates which device?
- When York calls Bolingbroke’s return “bold rebellion,” what device is present?
- The contrast between Richard’s divine belief in kingship and his human weakness represents what?
- When Gaunt’s dying words become prophetic, what device is used?
- Richard’s reflection on power and mortality shows which recurring device?
- When the Queen imagines the future as “weeping hours,” what device is that?
- The play’s focus on speech, silence, and authority primarily illustrates what?