# Scene II explained — Richard III

> Chapter companion for Richard III by William Shakespeare.

## 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.

## Character check-ins

### 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 lines

> 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._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/richard_iii_se/chapters/act-i-scene-ii
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/richard_iii_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/richard_iii_se/chapters