The article is The Issue of Language: Introduction to Richard II and Hamlet by Ian Johnston, he teaches at Malaspina-University College.
The main argument of the article is that by pairing Richard II and Hamlet, despite the differences between the two plays, will also us to focus on the “intimate link between important issues of characterization and the styles of speech displayed by particular characters”. Johnston wrote this article with the hope that a greater appreciation of Shakespeare’s varied use of language to denote character and evoke central themes.
Johnston designates two dimensions of dialog, reflection and action. Ideally both will coexist equally, however he explores different characters whose dialog is mainly reflection or mainly action. The comparison is made between Richard and Hamlet both being compulsive talkers, and how they foil against Bolingbroke and Claudius, who are better listeners and use their language as action.
One example that Johnston makes that I found very noteworthy is in Act 2 of Richard II. Bolingbroke listens, speaking very little, and his power increases with each scene, however, in contrast Richard speaks constantly and his power correspondingly weakens.
