Who Killed the Duke of Gloucester? History in Shakespeare's Richard II.

The article examines the complexities of historical representation in Shakespeare's play "Richard II," particularly focusing on the unresolved question of who killed the Duke of Gloucester. It discusses how Shakespeare manipulates historical events and characters, blending fact with fiction to create a narrative that reflects both aesthetic and ideological concerns. The text highlights the ambiguity surrounding Gloucester's death, with various characters offering conflicting accounts and motivations, ultimately questioning the reliability of historical testimony. The author argues that Shakespeare's treatment of history emphasizes the subjective nature of historiography, suggesting that our understanding of the past is often shaped by narrative interpretation rather than objective truth. [Extracted from the article]