Beginning of Essay
When Bolingbroke accuses Mowbray of murdering the Duke of Gloucester, Richard knows that there is a chance of Mowbray telling about Richard's involvement in the crime. Gaunt also understands Richard's position but he also knows that there is no stopping Richard, b ....

Middle of Essay
.... he will continue to kill, and Gaunt could be next. " ... To safeguard thine own life / The best way is to venge my Gloucester's death." (I, ii, 35-36) Richard could have allowed Bolingbroke and Mowbray to fight to the death, but if he had allowed this and if Bolingbroke had won, Richard's full part in the murder could be exposed. On the other hand, if Mowbray had won, Richard would be in debt to him even more so than he already was. The only other option was to exile both Bolingbroke and Mowbray, stopping both from exposing Richard's part in the murder. Richard chooses at first to allow them to fight to the death "... Your lives will answer it, / At ....