Richard III by William Shakespeare Read Free Book Online

Elizabeth asserts her right as a mother to see her children and Anne supports her, saying that she will “bear the blame,” but Brackenbury refuses. Derby arrives, bringing the news that Richard is to be crowned and that Anne is to become queen. She is dismayed at these “Despiteful tidings!” Elizabeth instructs her son Dorset to “cross the seas, / And live with Richmond” (the Lancastrian heir). The duchess curses her own womb for bringing forth Richard, a “cockatrice.” Derby urges Anne to go with him, but she would rather die than become queen. As Elizabeth sympathizes, Anne regrets her weakness in believing Richard’s “honey words” and expresses her belief that he means to kill her. As they part, Elizabeth encourages everyone to “look back” at the Tower, and asks that the “ancient stones” will pity her “tender babes.”
ACT 4 SCENE 2
    King Richard ascends his throne with the assistance of Buckingham, a visual metaphor of events so far. Establishing the scene’s quick shifts between public and private and demonstrating the increasingly thin margin between Richard’s personal and public personae, he and Buckingham speak aside from the rest of the court. Richard fears his kingship is not safe while Prince Edward lives. Announcing that he will “be plain,” in direct contrast to his usuallinguistic style, he asks Buckingham to kill the princes, but Buckingham asks for “some pause” to think. Buckingham leaves. Aside, Catesby observes that Richard is angry; Richard clearly feels that Buckingham is no longer trustworthy. He calls his page and asks quietly if he knows of anyone whom “corrupting gold / Will tempt unto a close exploit of death.” The page suggests a man called Tyrrell. Richard sends the page to fetch him and resolves to himself that Buckingham will “No more” be “neighbor to [his] counsels.” Derby brings the news that Dorset has fled to join Richmond. Drawing Catesby aside, Richard sends him to put about the rumor that Anne is ill “and like to die.” He contemplates his next plan: to marry Elizabeth’s daughter and secure his kingship, which “stands on brittle glass.” The page brings Tyrrell, who agrees to kill the princes. Buckingham returns and claims the “earldom of Hereford,” as promised, but Richard ignores him and continues discussing Richmond with Derby. This division between the two men marks a turning point in the play: Richard becomes increasingly isolated by his desire to retain power and has lost an ally through distrust, recalling Margaret’s curse of Act 1 Scene 3. Realizing that he is out of favor, and therefore in danger, Buckingham flees to Wales.
ACT 4 SCENE 3
    Tyrrell reveals that the “bloody act is done.” He is shaken, and describes the remorse of the men he hired to do the killing, “fleshed villains, bloody dogs,” who nonetheless “Melted with tenderness” and wept when they reported to him. He gives a moving description of the princes, “girdling one another / Within their alabaster innocent arms.” Richard arrives and questions Tyrrell: did Tyrrell see the princes’ bodies? Did he see them buried? Richard’s inhumanity is heightened by the contrast with Tyrrell and the hired men, who, despite their harsh natures, still felt remorse for their actions. Tyrrell leaves and Richard contemplates the latest developments in his plans: Clarence’s son is imprisoned, his daughter is “meanly matched” in marriage, and Anne is dead. He leaves to “woo” the young Princess Elizabeth. Ratcliffe brings news that “Morton is fled to Richmond” and that Buckingham is increasing his armies.Richard resolves to act: in direct contrast to his earlier reliance on language, he declares that “fearful commenting / Is leaden servitor to dull delay” and prepares to do battle.
ACT 4 SCENE 4
    Lines 1–134: Margaret has remained concealed in England, watching the “waning” of her enemies. She hears the duchess and Queen Elizabeth