Richard III - William Shakespeare

Summary

William Shakespeare's Richard III is a historical play that chronicles the Machiavellian rise to power and subsequent brief reign of Richard, Duke of Gloucester, who ultimately becomes King Richard III of England. Deformed in body and twisted in spirit, Richard opens the play by declaring his intent to seize the throne through deceit, manipulation, and murder. He systematically eliminates all obstacles in his path, starting with his own brother, the Duke of Clarence, and then orchestrating the deaths of his young nephews, the Princes in the Tower. He manipulates Lady Anne Neville into marriage, despite having killed her husband and father-in-law, and later disposes of her. Through a series of cunning political maneuvers, propaganda, and betrayals, he eventually convinces the citizens and nobles to offer him the crown. His brutal reign, however, is short-lived, marked by paranoia and the desertion of his allies. The play culminates in the Battle of Bosworth Field, where Richard is defeated and killed by Henry Tudor, Earl of Richmond, whose victory ushers in the Tudor dynasty and restores peace to England.

Book Sections

Section 1

The play opens with Richard, Duke of Gloucester, delivering a soliloquy, a famous speech beginning "Now is the winter of our discontent." He laments his physical deformity, which he perceives as making him unfit for "the amorous looking-glass." Unable to enjoy the peaceful times that have followed the Wars of the Roses, he resolves to use his cunning and manipulative mind to achieve power. He openly declares his intention to "prove a villain" and usurp the throne from his brother, King Edward IV, and his heirs. He hints at a prophecy that suggests "G" (George, Duke of Clarence, or Gloucester himself) will murder the king's heirs, planting suspicion against his brother, Clarence. Richard encounters Clarence, who is being led to the Tower of London under guard, a result of Richard's machinations that played on the King's superstitions about a prophecy. Richard feigns sympathy and promises to help Clarence, further establishing his deceptive nature.

Characters Involved	Characteristics	Motivations
Richard, Duke of Gloucester	Deformed, cynical, intelligent, manipulative, ambitious, ruthless, charismatic.	To seize the crown of England for himself by any means necessary, driven by a desire for power and a resentment of his physical appearance and perceived lack of love.
Duke of Clarence (George)	Gullible, trusting, easily manipulated, somewhat naive regarding his brother's true nature.	To survive and hopefully regain his freedom, unaware that Richard is orchestrating his downfall.

Section 2

Richard encounters Lady Anne Neville, who is mourning her husband, Edward of Westminster (son of King Henry VI), and her father-in-law, King Henry VI, both of whom Richard murdered. She is accompanying Henry VI's coffin on its way to burial. Despite her profound grief and initial hatred for Richard, she is captivated by his audacious and surprisingly persuasive courtship. Richard shamelessly blames God and her own beauty for his actions, flatters her, and feigns remorse. He offers her his sword, daring her to kill him, but she cannot bring herself to do it. Through sheer force of will and seductive rhetoric, Richard manages to convince Anne to accept his ring and eventually marry him, astounding himself with his success in wooing a woman whose husband and father he killed.

Characters Involved	Characteristics	Motivations
Lady Anne Neville	Grieving, initially defiant and hateful towards Richard, but susceptible to his manipulative charm and flattery.	To mourn her loved ones and express her contempt for their murderer; later, surprisingly, to accept Richard's advances, perhaps out of a strange fascination, vulnerability, or a desire for protection.

Section 3

Richard's manipulative schemes continue to unfold. He attends King Edward IV's court, where he feigns loyalty and devotion. Queen Elizabeth, Edward's wife, and her Woodville relatives (Rivers, Grey, Dorset) eye Richard with suspicion. Richard skillfully turns the nobles against each other, exacerbating existing tensions between the old nobility and the Queen's "new money" family. He uses the recent imprisonment of Clarence as a talking point, subtly implying that the Queen's family is responsible. He also denounces Lord Hastings for having been a prisoner, trying to turn him against the Queen's faction.

Later, in the Tower, Clarence recounts a terrifying dream to the Keeper, foreshadowing his own death. He dreamt of drowning, being tormented by the ghosts of those he wronged, and being pushed into the sea by Richard. Shortly after, Richard's hired assassins, Dighton and Forrest, arrive to murder Clarence. Despite Clarence's desperate pleas, they brutally drown him in a butt of malmsey wine, fulfilling Richard's dark command.

Characters Involved	Characteristics	Motivations
Queen Elizabeth	Suspicious, protective of her family, intelligent, anxious about her family's position and the safety of her sons.	To protect her family and consolidate their power, and to express her growing distrust and fear of Richard.
Lord Rivers	Brother to Queen Elizabeth, a member of the Woodville family, generally honorable but a political target for Richard.	To support his family and maintain their influence at court.
Lord Grey	Son of Queen Elizabeth from a previous marriage, also a Woodville, targeted by Richard.	To support his family.
Marquis of Dorset	Son of Queen Elizabeth from a previous marriage, also a Woodville.	To support his family.
Lord Hastings	Loyal to the late King Edward IV, a significant noble, initially wary of Richard but later believes Richard to be a friend.	To maintain his position and loyalty to the crown, initially unaware of Richard's full deceit.
Dighton and Forrest	Hired murderers, brutal and amoral.	Monetary payment from Richard.

Section 4

The news of Clarence's murder spreads, and King Edward IV, already ailing, expresses deep remorse, realizing too late that he was tricked by Richard into signing his brother's death warrant. His guilt and sickness overwhelm him, leading to his death. With the King dead, the path is clear for Richard to continue his power grab.

The young Prince Edward (the future Edward V) and his younger brother, the Duke of York, are now the rightful heirs. Richard, along with the Duke of Buckingham, immediately begins to isolate them. They intercept Prince Edward on his journey to London, removing him from the protection of his Woodville relatives (Rivers, Grey, Dorset). The Queen, sensing danger, takes sanctuary with her remaining children at Westminster Abbey. Richard then has Rivers, Grey, and Dorset arrested and sent to Pontefract Castle, where they are summarily executed without trial. The young Prince Edward is placed in the Tower of London, ostensibly for his safety and to prepare for his coronation.

Characters Involved	Characteristics	Motivations
King Edward IV	Weakened by illness, somewhat remorseful, easily influenced by Richard's manipulations.	To secure the succession for his sons and ensure peace, but ultimately too late to counter Richard's schemes.
Young Prince Edward (Edward V)	Child, rightful heir to the throne, innocent and vulnerable.	To ascend to the throne as King.
Young Duke of York	Child, Prince Edward's younger brother, witty and observant for his age, also innocent and vulnerable.	To be with his brother and family.

Section 5

Richard, with Buckingham as his chief accomplice, orchestrates a plot to eliminate Lord Hastings, who remains loyal to the young King Edward V and opposes Richard's usurpation. Richard gathers the council, claiming to be cursed by witchcraft affecting his withered arm. He blames Queen Elizabeth and Jane Shore (Edward IV's former mistress) for this, despite it being a lifelong condition. When Hastings defends them, Richard declares him a traitor and orders his immediate execution without trial, before dinner. Hastings's head is brought to Richard, who then puts on a show of grief and declares his innocence, blaming Hastings for a supposed conspiracy.

Meanwhile, Richard and Buckingham spread rumors and propaganda to discredit the dead King Edward IV and his children. They declare that Edward IV was illegitimate and that his sons are bastards. They also claim that Richard is the true and rightful heir, having inherited his father's features.

Characters Involved	Characteristics	Motivations
Duke of Buckingham	Ambitious, intelligent, smooth-talking, Richard's primary accomplice and enabler for much of the play.	To gain power, wealth, and influence under Richard's rule; initially believes he can control Richard.
Lord Stanley (Earl of Derby)	Cautious, observant, a powerful noble who tries to navigate the treacherous political landscape.	To survive and protect his family's interests, while increasingly wary of Richard.
Catesby	Richard's loyal henchman, cunning and obedient.	To serve Richard and gain favor.
Ratcliffe	Another of Richard's loyal henchmen.	To serve Richard.

Section 6

Buckingham addresses the citizens of London, attempting to persuade them that Richard is the rightful king and that the princes are illegitimate. However, his speech is met with silence and apathy. Undeterred, he devises a plan with Richard. Richard is to appear on a balcony between two bishops, feigning piety and reluctance to accept the crown.

Buckingham then approaches Richard in this staged setting, presenting the "petition" of the citizens to crown him king. Richard, playing the role of a humble and devout man, initially refuses, claiming his loyalty to Edward V and his disinterest in earthly power. He even pretends to be hurt by the accusations against him. Buckingham and the Lord Mayor persist, arguing that if Richard refuses, they will be forced to choose an unsuitable king. Finally, Richard "reluctantly" agrees to accept the crown, portraying himself as sacrificing his personal desires for the good of England. The coronation is swiftly arranged.

Section 7

Richard is crowned King Richard III. His reign immediately turns tyrannical and paranoid. He quickly grows weary of his wife, Lady Anne, and expresses his desire to marry his niece, Elizabeth of York, daughter of the deceased King Edward IV and Queen Elizabeth. To achieve this, he plans to dispose of Anne and orders the murder of the two young princes in the Tower, King Edward V and the Duke of York, to eliminate any potential rivals.

He enlists Sir James Tyrrel, who, in turn, hires Dighton and Forrest (the same murderers who killed Clarence) to carry out the deed. The princes are smothered in their sleep. Tyrrel reports the successful murder to Richard, who expresses satisfaction. Lady Anne soon dies, likely poisoned on Richard's orders, though he claims she died of grief. Richard then attempts to persuade Queen Elizabeth to allow him to marry her daughter, also named Elizabeth, playing on her desire for her daughter's safety and the prospect of becoming queen.

Characters Involved	Characteristics	Motivations
Tyrrel	A mercenary, willing to commit murder for Richard.	Payment and favor from Richard.

Section 8

The scene opens with Queen Margaret, the vengeful widow of Henry VI, who has returned from exile. She delivers a powerful monologue, reflecting on her own curses that have come true and reiterating new curses upon Richard and those who supported him. She is a living embodiment of the tragic consequences of the Wars of the Roses.

Queen Elizabeth enters, grieving her murdered sons and the loss of her husband. She is joined by the Duchess of York, Richard's own mother, who laments her son's monstrous nature and curses him. The three women engage in a poignant lamentation, exchanging woes and curses, highlighting the suffering caused by Richard's ambition. Margaret advises Elizabeth to curse Richard with all her heart, drawing parallels between Richard's actions and her own past suffering.

Characters Involved	Characteristics	Motivations
Queen Margaret	Vengeful, prophetic, a symbol of the past's lingering suffering, eloquent in her curses and lamentations.	To see her curses fulfilled and to witness the downfall of the house of York, especially Richard, whom she holds responsible for her family's ruin.

Section 9

Richard's tyranny begins to turn his allies against him. Buckingham, disillusioned by Richard's refusal to grant him the Earldom of Hereford (a promised reward for his help), begins to plot with Henry Tudor, Earl of Richmond, who is gathering an army in France with the intent to invade England and claim the throne.

News arrives that Richmond's fleet has been scattered by a storm. Buckingham's rebellion also falters as his Welsh forces desert him. Buckingham is captured and brought before Richard. Despite Buckingham's pleas for mercy, Richard, now paranoid and ruthless, orders his execution. Buckingham's death is another grim step in Richard's descent into isolation and tyranny. Richard also learns that Stanley's son, George Stanley, has joined Richmond, prompting him to hold Stanley's son hostage to ensure his father's loyalty.

Characters Involved	Characteristics	Motivations
Earl of Richmond (Henry Tudor)	Rightful heir to the House of Lancaster by marriage, destined to end the Wars of the Roses, presented as virtuous and divinely favored.	To claim the throne of England, avenge the wrongs committed by Richard, and bring peace and stability to the realm.

Section 10

The armies of Richard and Richmond prepare for battle at Bosworth Field. On the eve of the battle, Richard is tormented by the ghosts of his many victims – King Henry VI, Prince Edward, Clarence, Rivers, Grey, Vaughan, Hastings, the two young princes, Lady Anne, and Buckingham. Each ghost appears to him, cursing him and predicting his defeat, while simultaneously blessing Richmond and promising him victory. Richard awakens in a cold sweat, filled with terror and remorse, realizing the extent of his crimes.

Despite his inner turmoil, Richard attempts to rally his troops, delivering a passionate but desperate speech. The battle begins. Richard fights with furious bravery, famously crying, "A horse, a horse! My kingdom for a horse!" after his horse is killed beneath him. He seeks out Richmond on the battlefield, desperate for a decisive encounter. Richmond and Richard finally meet in single combat. Richard is defeated and killed by Richmond. Richmond then claims the crown, which has been found on the battlefield, and promises to unite the warring houses of York and Lancaster through his marriage to Elizabeth of York. The play concludes with Richmond (now King Henry VII) envisioning a new era of peace and prosperity for England.

Section 11

Characters Involved	Characteristics	Motivations
Sir William Brandon	Richard's standard-bearer, killed early in the battle.	To serve Richard in battle.

Literary Genre:
Historical Drama, Tragedy. It is considered one of Shakespeare's great tragedies, though it is also categorized as a history play.

Author Facts (William Shakespeare):

• Born in Stratford-upon-Avon, England, in April 1564 (baptism recorded April 26).
• Married Anne Hathaway and had three children: Susanna and twins Hamnet and Judith.
• Was an actor, poet, and playwright, widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world's pre-eminent dramatist.
• A principal shareholder in the Lord Chamberlain's Men (later the King's Men), a successful acting company that built the Globe Theatre.
• Wrote approximately 38 plays, 154 sonnets, and several other poems.
• Died on April 23, 1616, and is buried in Holy Trinity Church, Stratford-upon-Avon.

Morale:
The play serves as a cautionary tale against unchecked ambition, tyranny, and the corrupting nature of power. It suggests that those who gain power through treachery and murder are ultimately consumed by their own evil, leading to their downfall and the restoration of a moral order. It also explores themes of divine justice, the consequences of sin, and the cyclical nature of violence, particularly within the context of civil war. The ultimate victory of Richmond symbolizes the triumph of order and legitimate rule over chaos and usurpation.

Curiosities:

• Historical Accuracy: While based on historical figures and events, Shakespeare took significant liberties with chronology and character portrayal to create a more compelling drama. Richard III's physical deformity (the "withered arm" and hunchback) is exaggerated for dramatic effect, and his historical villainy is heightened. Historians continue to debate the true character of the historical Richard III.
• Source Material: Shakespeare primarily drew from Raphael Holinshed's Chronicles of England, Scotland, and Ireland (1587), which itself was heavily influenced by Sir Thomas More's The History of King Richard the Third, a biased Tudor-era account hostile to Richard.
• Role of Women: The play features several powerful female characters – Queen Margaret, Queen Elizabeth, and the Duchess of York – who serve as a chorus of lamentation and curses, highlighting the human cost of Richard's actions and foreshadowing his demise.
• Opening Soliloquy: The play's opening lines, "Now is the winter of our discontent / Made glorious summer by this sun of York," are among the most famous in English literature, immediately establishing Richard's character and intentions.
• "My kingdom for a horse!": This iconic line, uttered by Richard during the Battle of Bosworth Field, perfectly encapsulates his desperate situation and intense will to survive, even when all is lost.
• The Princes in the Tower: The murder of the young princes remains one of history's enduring mysteries. Shakespeare's portrayal, implicating Richard directly, became the widely accepted narrative for centuries.
• The discovery of Richard III's remains: In 2012, the skeleton of Richard III was discovered beneath a car park in Leicester, confirming some aspects of his physical characteristics (scoliosis) but not the severe hunchback often depicted. This discovery reignited interest in his reign and character.