In the Hollow Crown speech, what does the line "Cover your heads" imply?

Question

In the "hollow crown" speech in *Richard II*, there is a line with the words "Cover your heads". I need a paraphrase for this line. What does Shakespeare imply by this line in the context of this speech?

Answer 1

First, let us set the scene of this speech. It is one of despair, wherein the king comments on the hundreds of deaths that have taken place, "All murder'd..." the king proclaims. "...for within the hollow crown...keeps death his court..." and so forth. Here, he questions the reason for the deaths, for he too is mortal. From this monolog we see the guilt of the inner man. Which now separates him from the monarch, which is the outer man.

The "Cover your heads" is a reference to the deference and reverence one paid to a king. They would uncover their heads when in his presence, out of respect. The king tells them to do away with the reverence they pay him. Indeed, a few words later comes the meaning, when the king utters this, "throw away respect..."

I interpret this as Richard feeling absolutely undeserving.