# Scene V explained — Richard III

> Chapter companion for Richard III by William Shakespeare.

## What happens

Richard and Buckingham orchestrate the execution of Hastings and prepare to manipulate public opinion by spreading lies about Edward's legitimacy and the bastardy of his children.

## Themes in this chapter

### Deception and Manipulation

Richard and Buckingham openly discuss their ability to counterfeit fear and grief, then use Hastings' head to deceive the Mayor and public.

### Ambition and Power

Richard's orchestration of Hastings' death and his plan to slander Edward's children are steps toward seizing the throne.

### Tyranny and Legitimacy

Richard's false claims about Edward's bastardy and his mother's adultery are designed to undermine the legitimacy of the royal line.

## Character check-ins

### King Richard III

Plots with Buckingham, feigns grief over Hastings' death, and instructs Buckingham to spread false claims about Edward's children.

### Duke of Buckingham

Assists Richard in the plot, pretends to be terrified, and is sent to the Guildhall to slander Edward's lineage.

### Lord Hastings

Executed offstage; his head is brought on stage as proof of his supposed treason.

### Sir William Catesby

Sent to Friar Penker and later brings the Mayor to the Tower.

### Sir Thomas Lovel

Sent to Doctor Shaw and later brings Hastings' head with Ratcliff.

### Sir Richard Ratcliff

Brings Hastings' head with Lovel.

### Lord Mayor of London

Witnesses the aftermath of Hastings' execution and is convinced of Richard and Buckingham's just proceedings.

## Key lines

> Come, cousin, canst thou quake, and change thy colour, Murder thy breath in the middle of a word, And then begin again, and stop again, As if thou wert distraught and mad with terror?

Richard asks Buckingham if he can fake being terrified, stuttering and stopping mid-sentence as if mad with fear.

_Richard instructs Buckingham on how to feign terror for their deception._

> So dear I loved the man, that I must weep. I took him for the plainest harmless creature That breathed upon this earth a Christian;

Richard claims he loved Hastings and thought him innocent, weeping over his death.

_Richard hypocritically mourns Hastings to appear just and sorrowful._

> Infer the bastardy of Edward’s children: Tell them how Edward put to death a citizen, Only for saying he would make his son Heir to the crown;

Richard tells Buckingham to suggest that Edward's children are illegitimate and to mention Edward's cruelty to a citizen.

_Richard outlines the slander campaign against Edward's lineage._

## Links

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