Question

And now, instead of mounting barbéd steeds line from Shakespeare meaning

Answer 1

The line "And now, instead of mounting barbéd steeds" is from Shakespeare's play Richard II (Act II, Scene I). It is spoken by Richard's uncle, John of Gaunt, who is lamenting the decline of England and comparing it to his previous glory during horseback battles.

In this line, "mounting" refers to the action of getting on or onto something, and "barbéd steeds" refers to horses equipped with armor or barbs for combat. Gaunt suggests that instead of mounting these fierce and armored horses, the current state of affairs in England has forced them to take a different, non-military path.

This line encapsulates the theme of Richard II, as throughout the play, there is a sense of lost glory and a transition from a warrior-king to a flawed ruler. It reflects John of Gaunt's nostalgic longing for a past era of bravery and chivalry.