What does an author intend to convey when he repeats certain words in a novel or play? William Shakespeare uses this rhetorical strategy in his famous historical play, King Richard II. The two words "sacred" and "subject" are repeated more often in this play than in any of his other works. The connotation that both of these words carry underlines the theme of the importance and sacred meaning of being ordained by God as king, and the important duty that this role brings with it, which is to serve the people. These two themes recur throughout the work and the two terms are constantly repeated to remind the audience of their frequent violation. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay At the beginning of the play, Richard II repeatedly declares that his subjects must be loyal and good to him, and that they will all be treated equally regardless of their status. In Richard's first lines, he asks John of Gaunt if his son will come to settle the matter with Mowbray "as a good subject should / Upon some known cause of treason in him?" (1.1, 10-11) Richard himself, however, does not treat his subjects fairly; furthermore, as we later learn, he was involved in the plot to kill his uncle, the Duke of Gloucester. Richard's strong hypocrisy is foreshadowed when he tells Mowbray that even "nearness to our sacred blood" (1.1,119) will not prevent Richard from being fair to both sides. Killing his uncle seems to be in complete opposition to that promise. Richard's constant repetition of the word "subject" creates a profound irony, as he makes Bullingbrook and Mowbray promise not to "plot, contrive, or scheme any evil/'against us, our state, our subjects, or our earth" (1.3, 198-190). This phrase once again reminds us of Richard's failure to keep his promises regarding his eventual acquisition of the Bullingbrook inheritance to use as funding for his war in Ireland. As John of Gaunt prophesies before his death, "Richard's fierce blaze of revolt cannot last./For violent fires are soon extinguished" (2.1, 33-4). Richard crossed that line when he took away Bullingbrook's entire inheritance. Furthermore, the word "subject" is used by Bullingbrook in his defense against York's opposition to his invasion of England. He exclaims: «I am a subject and I defy the law» (2,3, 132-3). After discovering that he has been robbed of his inheritance by his own king, who should have protected his subjects and their interests, Bullingbrook, before feeling a "subject's love" (1.1, 31) towards Richard, returns to take back what he it is his and he defends himself together with others from the mistreatment to which their king subjects them. To Richard, however, Bullingbrook—and perhaps all his other subjects—are nothing more than "puny subjects" (3.2, 86) incapable of any real harm. Paradoxically, Richard asks incredulously: "Subjected thus, / How can you tell me I am a king?" (3.2, 175-6), although his submission to his subjects is only a response to his own abuses of power. In the work, the word "subject" is often placed alongside or close to the word "sacred." The main allusion of this last word is to God's ordination of the king. Supposedly this was the most sacred bond the people could have with God. God, they believed, places a king on earth so that he can rule the his people by divine right. The theme of God ordaining King Richard II to be king and Bullingbrook, in his revolt, angering God permeates the play. Riccardo alludes to this notion of sacred and impervious power that he holds because he was.