Richard III · Chapter
Scene II explained
Richard, Duke of Gloucester, intercepts the funeral procession of King Henry VI, where Lady Anne mourns her husband and father-in-law.
What happens
Richard, Duke of Gloucester, intercepts the funeral procession of King Henry VI, where Lady Anne mourns her husband and father-in-law. Despite her initial hatred and curses, Richard manipulates and woos her, ultimately winning her acceptance. After she leaves, Richard exults in his manipulative success, revealing his true intentions.
Themes in this chapter
Deception and Manipulation
Richard's skillful manipulation of Lady Anne, using flattery, false remorse, and psychological tactics to win her despite her hatred.
Gender and Power
Anne's initial power through curses and moral authority is undermined by Richard's rhetorical dominance and her eventual submission.
Deformity and Identity
Richard reflects on his physical deformity ('halt and am unshapen') and how Anne's acceptance challenges his self-perception.
Characters to notice
- King Richard III
Richard intercepts the funeral, manipulates Lady Anne with flattery and false remorse, and wins her over despite her hatred.
- Lady Anne
Anne mourns King Henry VI and her husband, curses Richard, but is gradually swayed by his persuasive words and accepts his ring.
- King Henry VI
Henry's corpse is present; Anne laments his death and Richard's role in it.
- Queen Margaret
Mentioned by Anne as a witness to Richard's murder of Prince Edward.
- Clifford
Referenced by Richard in his speech about Rutland's death.
- Rutland
Mentioned by Richard in his account of past sorrows.
- Prince Edward (son of Henry VI)
Anne's husband, killed by Richard at Tewksbury; his death is a central grievance.
Key passages
“Was ever woman in this humour woo'd? Was ever woman in this humour won?”
Has any woman ever been courted and won under such circumstances?
Richard marvels at his success in winning Anne despite her hatred.
“I'll have her; but I will not keep her long.”
I will marry her, but I do not intend to stay with her permanently.
Richard reveals his cynical and opportunistic intentions toward Anne.
“Your beauty was the cause of that effect; Your beauty, which did haunt me in my sleep To undertake the death of all the world, So I might live one hour in your sweet bosom.”
Your beauty drove me to commit those murders, so that I could be with you.
Richard blames Anne's beauty for his crimes as a manipulative tactic.