The character of the queen is an interesting one in Richard II.  The Queen is portrayed as someone, in spite of what might be thought of as a powerful position, who has no power.

        The scene in the garden is interesting, because that shows how little the queen actually knows.  The queen is a character who, one would think, would have a pretty good idea of what was happening.  However, the queen is left to obtain information from the gardener.  There is a lot of irony that the gardeners know more about politics than the queen.

        Another scene, which portrays the powerlessness of the queen, is the emotional scene in which she is parted from Richard.  The queen’s pleading goes unheeded, and though Shakespeare shows the emotion well, the queen ultimately makes no impact on any of the rest of the characters.

        Another woman who is portrayed in a powerless manner is the Duchess of Gloucester.  Although her husband was killed, she is powerless to avenge him, and must plead with John of Gaunt to do so instead.  When John of Gaunt refuses to, she is left with no recourse.

        The character of the Duchess of York is in some ways different.  She is able to make a difference.  Although, if King Henry had decided not to listen to her, she would have been powerless as well.  She is powerless to stop her husband, the Duke of York, from going to accuse Aumerle.  She is also powerless over what Aumerle does, although it is on her advice that Aumerle pleads for his life before his father gets to Henry, thus ultimately saving his own life.