Richard III · Chapter
Scene VI explained
A scrivener reveals the forged indictment against Lord Hastings, noting the suspicious speed with which the document was prepared and the transparent manipulation behind it.
What happens
A scrivener reveals the forged indictment against Lord Hastings, noting the suspicious speed with which the document was prepared and the transparent manipulation behind it.
Themes in this chapter
Deception and Manipulation
The scrivener exposes the fabricated indictment as a 'palpable device' orchestrated to justify Hastings' execution.
Characters to notice
- Lord Hastings
The subject of the forged indictment, executed without trial.
- Sir William Catesby
Delivered the indictment to the scrivener the previous night.
Key passages
“This is the indictment of the good Lord Hastings; Which in a set hand fairly is engross’d, That it may be this day read over in Paul’s.”
This is the official charge against the noble Lord Hastings, carefully written out to be publicly read at St. Paul's today.
The scrivener describes the forged document prepared for Hastings' show trial.
“And yet within these five hours lived Lord Hastings, Untainted, unexamined, free, at liberty.”
Just five hours ago, Hastings was alive, innocent, not questioned, and free.
The scrivener contrasts Hastings' recent freedom with his sudden condemnation.
“Here’s a good world the while! Why who’s so gross, That seeth not this palpable device? Yet who’s so blind, but says he sees it not?”
What a fine world this is! Who is so stupid that they cannot see this obvious trick? Yet who is so blind that they pretend not to see it?
The scrivener laments the collective willful ignorance of the political manipulation.