Richard III · Chapter
Scene III explained
On the eve of the Battle of Bosworth Field, Richard and Richmond set up their camps.
What happens
On the eve of the Battle of Bosworth Field, Richard and Richmond set up their camps. Richard is tormented by a series of ghostly visitations from his victims—including Prince Edward, King Henry VI, Clarence, Rivers, Grey, Vaughan, Hastings, the two young princes, Lady Anne, and Buckingham—each condemning him and prophesying his defeat. Richmond, by contrast, receives comforting dreams and encouragement from the same spirits. Richard awakens in terror, his conscience overwhelming him, while Richmond prays for victory and prepares for battle.
Themes in this chapter
Conscience and Guilt
Richard's nightmare and self-condemnation reveal his overwhelming guilt for his crimes.
Revenge and Justice
The ghosts of Richard's victims demand divine justice and prophesy his downfall.
Fate and Prophecy
The ghosts' curses and blessings foreshadow Richard's defeat and Richmond's victory.
Tyranny and Legitimacy
Richmond frames the battle as a righteous struggle against Richard's bloody tyranny.
Characters to notice
- King Richard III
Tormented by nightmares of his victims; conscience-stricken and fearful before battle.
- Henry Tudor, Earl of Richmond
Receives encouraging dreams from the ghosts; prays for victory and prepares his troops.
- Sir Richard Ratcliff
Attends Richard; reports on the army's morale and helps Richard prepare for battle.
- Duke of Norfolk
Reports enemy numbers; Richard assigns him to command and orders him to stir with the lark.
- Sir William Catesby
Informs Richard of the time and readiness; sent to summon Stanley's forces.
- Lord Stanley
Visits Richmond's tent, brings blessings from Richmond's mother, and pledges cautious support.
- Thomas, Earl of Surrey
Present with Richard; Richard notes his sad look, but Surrey claims his heart is lighter.
- Captain Blunt
Sent by Richmond to deliver a scroll to Stanley and convey good-night.
Key passages
“O coward conscience, how dost thou afflict me!”
Oh, my cowardly conscience, how you torment me!
Richard's anguished cry upon waking from his nightmare.
“Methought the souls of all that I had murder'd Came to my tent; and every one did threat To-morrow's vengeance on the head of Richard.”
I dreamed that the spirits of everyone I killed came to my tent and each threatened revenge against me tomorrow.
Richard describes his nightmare to Ratcliff.
“The sweetest sleep, and fairest-boding dreams That ever enter'd in a drowsy head, Have I since your departure had, my lords.”
I've had the sweetest sleep and most promising dreams that ever came to a sleepy person since you left, my lords.
Richmond tells his lords about his encouraging dreams.
“God and our good cause fight upon our side; The prayers of holy saints and wronged souls, Like high-rear'd bulwarks, stand before our faces.”
God and our righteous cause are on our side; the prayers of saints and wronged spirits stand before us like high walls.
Richmond's oration to his soldiers, invoking divine support.
“A bloody tyrant and a homicide; One raised in blood, and one in blood establish'd.”
A bloody tyrant and murderer; one who rose to power through bloodshed and maintains it through bloodshed.
Richmond's condemnation of Richard in his speech.
