Richard III · Chapter
Scene I explained
Richard, Duke of Gloucester, delivers a soliloquy revealing his discontent with peace and his determination to become a villain.
What happens
Richard, Duke of Gloucester, delivers a soliloquy revealing his discontent with peace and his determination to become a villain. He has set plots in motion to turn King Edward IV against their brother Clarence. Clarence is led to the Tower under guard, and Richard feigns sympathy while secretly planning his death. Hastings arrives, recently released from imprisonment, and reports that the king is ill. Richard resolves to hasten Clarence's death and then pursue the throne.
Themes in this chapter
Ambition and Power
Richard openly declares his determination to become a villain and seize the throne, plotting against his own family.
Deception and Manipulation
Richard feigns sympathy for Clarence while secretly planning his murder, and lies to Hastings about his intentions.
Deformity and Identity
Richard blames his physical deformity for his inability to enjoy peace and uses it to justify his villainous ambitions.
Characters to notice
- King Richard III
Opens the play with a soliloquy expressing his discontent and his plan to become a villain; he manipulates Clarence and Hastings, and plots the deaths of Clarence and King Edward IV.
- George, Duke of Clarence
Led to the Tower under guard; Richard feigns sympathy and promises to help him, but secretly plans his murder.
- Sir Robert Brakenbury
Guards Clarence and enforces the king's order that no private conference be held with him.
- Lord Hastings
Recently released from the Tower; reports that King Edward IV is sickly and weak.
Key passages
“Now is the winter of our discontent Made glorious summer by this sun of York;”
The troubled times are over, and the Yorkist family now enjoys peace and prosperity under King Edward IV.
Richard acknowledges the peace but uses it to contrast his own unhappiness and ambition.
“I am determined to prove a villain And hate the idle pleasures of these days.”
I have decided to become a villain because I cannot enjoy the peaceful pastimes of love and courtship.
Richard explicitly states his intention to embrace villainy due to his physical deformity.
“Plots have I laid, inductions dangerous, By drunken prophecies, libels and dreams, To set my brother Clarence and the king In deadly hate the one against the other:”
I have already set dangerous schemes in motion using prophecies and rumors to make King Edward hate Clarence.
Richard reveals his manipulation of the king through superstition and false information.
“Go, tread the path that thou shalt ne’er return, Simple, plain Clarence! I do love thee so, That I will shortly send thy soul to heaven,”
Go to your death, naive Clarence; I claim to love you, but I will soon have you killed.
Richard's sarcastic farewell to Clarence reveals his true murderous intent.