Divine retribution

In theology, divine retribution is a punishment by a higher deity.

Some object to this idea, since it views the deity as an enforcer searching for rule-breakers to punish, but it exists in virtually all major religions.

Divine retribution is the driving force of Shakespeare's War of the Roses tetralogy, comprising the plays 1 Henry VI, 2 Henry VI, 3 Henry VI and Richard III, in which the Houses of York and Lancaster are made to atone for the sin of deposing a rightful king, Richard II.