Act 1, Scene 2 Summary

The Duchess of Gloucester, wife of the deceased Duke of Gloucester asks Gaunt why he does not agree with her that her husband's death should be avenged. Gaunt tells us that it is not man's duty to dispense justice, but God's duty. He also says that "God's substitute, / His deputy anointed in His sight" (i.e. King Richard) is the one who has caused the Duke's death, and if he was wrong to do it, then heaven will punish him.

The Duchess tells Gaunt he should have more feeling about his brother's death, and she hopes Bolingbroke will win the duel and kill Mowbray. Gaunt leaves for Coventry where the duel is to be held.

Act 1, Scene 2 Analysis

In this scene, we learn that Richard may have been the cause of Gloucester's death, which throws the previous scene into a completely...