Act 5 scene 3 -- The Beggar and the King

Comedy scene--farsical  down and up, on knees and standing up imagery is made funny.

Table of Contents

1. Thou hast a traitor in thy presence
2. A beggar begs that never begged before
3. His words comes from his mouth, ours from our breast
4. The word itself against word
5. I pardon him, as God shall pardon me.

Thou hast a traitor in thy presence

[This is the answer to the question.]

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A beggar begs

[This is the answer to the question.]

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His words come from his mouth; ours from our breast

This is very like Richard's awareness in Act 3 scene 3 that Bolingbroke was being hypocritical by bending his knee. 

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The word itself against the word

Language can be used to communicate meaning or to suggest exactly the opposite.   Richard uses the phrase "word against the word" in his soliloquy but in a different way.

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I pardon him, as God shall pardon me.

Bolingbroke can pardon and then trust Aumerle because he is a man of honor, unlike Bushy and Green whom Bolingbroke had to put to death.

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