In what ways does John of Gaunt's speech from Act 2 scene 1 develop your understanding of both his character and his place in the play's consideration of "England and "Englishness"?

The monologue of John of Gaunt delves into the perilous nature of unfettered autocracy. Gaunt proclaims that King Richard should relinquish his crown because he has figuratively raped "mother" England by exploiting the loyalty of his subjects and debasing the grandeur of "this blessed plot" for his own personal glory. The speech enables the reader to look into the character of Gaunt and his relationship with Richard. The central symbolic image centres around England and …

…by birth, deserve to rule regardless of how much he abuses his power? Gaunt's speech exposes Richard's violation of the union between a monarch and his kingdom and hence stir opposition to the divine right. The speech also brings up many issue over the way kingship is centred on in a mythological view of the status of the nation and the understanding of the role of symbolism and myth in the ruling of the country.