The humility of kings in Richard II through Henry VAlthough Shakespeare was a conservative, he believed in the humility of kings. The plays from Richard II to Henry V affirm Shakespeare's idea that a king must understand the common man to be a good ruler. These four works tell the story of the three Kings' ability to recognize, relate to, and be part of the humanity they rule. Shakespeare supports his belief with the fall of Richard II, who could not or would not understand his subjects; the constancy of Henry IV, whose combined humility and strength earned him his ouster; and Hal, whose raucous behavior led his father to worry and his country to victory. King Richard II is Shakespeare's example of a king who distances himself from the reality of the common people. Richard sees his position as a source of entertainment. His "concerns" as King, plus the opportunity to have a pleasing audience, are simply a burden. Instead of investigating Henry and Mawbrick's accusations of treason, he exiles both men as an easy way out. Richard was born king and knows no other life than the royal one. Unfortunately, the lesson that you need to know men to govern them costs him his life. Richard's lesson influences his usurper and his heir, demonstrating to both the value of humility. After exiling Henry, Richard takes the opportunity to criticize his "courtship of the common people". His speech at first seems to merit Henry for his sociability, but it quickly becomes clear that, for Richard, ordinary people are not suited to real consumption: How he seemed to dive into their hearts With humble and familiar courtesy, How much reverence he threw away on slaves, Courting the poor craftsmen with the art of smiling (I.iv.25-8) Shakespeare is obviously establishing Henry's ability to gain support from the masses, the very key to his victory over Richard later in the play . The speech also clarifies Richard's position on the matter to highlight this contrast between the two men. To fine-tune Richard's character, Gaunt gives him a revealing and unhinged description of Richard to his face shortly before he dies. After Richard exiles the soul heir to his estate, Gaunt is embittered and fed up with his weak and pompous qualities: A thousand flatterers sit in thy crown, whose compass is no greater than thy head.,