in The True Tragedy of Richard the Third — Anonymous
Metadata
Play
The True Tragedy of Richard the Third
Author
Anonymous
Year (catalogued)
1594
First performance
1591
Decade
1590s
Genre
Tragedy; History
Play type
Adult Professional
Company
Queen Elizabeth's Men
Speech prefix(es)
Oste. | Oſte. | Ost. | ſte.
Words
317
Characters
1556
Typicality
0.32 (cosine to cluster centroid)
TCP id
A10730
BritDrama no.
839
Cluster
Cluster 21 — Old fathers & plain counsel
Important excerpts
No keyword-matching excerpt could be extracted (the cluster label doesn't share vocabulary with this character's speech).
Full speech
I faith my guest you have amazed me already, and to hear it again, it will mad me altogether, but because I may think upon it the better, I pray you let me hear it once more. I, I know that too well. Why sir if this be all, this is done already. How lock in my guess Like prisoners, why do you hear my guess? me thinks there should be little better then treason in these words you have uttered. Alas what shall I do? who were I best to offend? shall I betray that good old Earl that hath lain at my house this forty years? why and I do he will hang me: nay then on the other side, if I should not do as my Lord Protector commands, he will chop off my head, but is there no remedy? Why then sir heres my hand, tell my Lord Protector he shall have it, I will do as he commands me, but even against my will, God is my witness. Nay sir, & you love me no more, heres too much already. Farewell even the worst guest that ever came to my house, A masters, masters, what a troublesome vocation am I crept into, you think we that be Innkeepers get all the world, but I think I shall get a fair halter to my neck, but I must go see all things done to my great grief. Ho mine Oste, Chamberlain where my key? What pend up Like a prisoner? But stay, I fear I am betrayed, The sudden sighed of Gloucesters Duke, does make me soar afraid: I'll speak to him, and gently him salute, Though in my heart I envy much the man; God morrow my Lord Protector to your grace, And Duke of Buckingham God morrow too, Thanks noble Dukes for our good cheer, & for your continued ̄ pany.
Plot summary
Plot — The True Tragedy of Richard the Third
Twenty-two years ago, the House of York seized the throne from Henry VI. Since then, RiéHard has sought to clear his path to the crown by murdering the deposed M@firy and his own brother, @IMFenee. The dying BGWardli] tries to make peace between Lord Hastings and Marquess Dorsét, and appoints Richard as Lord Protector during his son’s minority. As the new King travels to London for his coronation, Richard allies himself with his former enemy, BUCKingham. and Dorset and other noblemen flee the kingdom. Travelling to London with the new King, RIVERS is left behind to negotiate with Richard and Buckingham. Richard arranges to have him locked in his room at the inn where he is staying, and arrests him; he then catches up with the King and arrests the rest of the Queen’s family, despite the King’s protests. The QG@8H and her other children take sanctuary, but the Duke of WGrk is removed to the Tower to keep the King ===== PAGE 490 ===== company. Richard has the arrested men executed without trial. The King and York are declared bastards and the crown offered to Richard. Edward IV’s death is bad news for Mistress SHGFé, too: she loses all her influence at court and has to face the prospect of an enemy in power. Accused of plotting with her to bewitch the King and Buckingham with a view to seizing power, Lord Hastings is arrested and executed. Mistress Shore’s property is confiscated and Londoners ordered not to give her food or shelter; even those she helped in earlier times are afraid to help her now. Richard has the two princes smothered in the Tower. Buckingham turns against him and conspires with the Earl of Ri€him6nd, but is betrayed by a servant and executed, Richard begins to feel his conscience at work. He allows Lord Staml@y to leave the court, so long as he leaves his son G@@6rge as a hostage; he also seeks to secure his position by marrying the Queen Mother’s eldest daughter. Richmond lands, and noblemen join his forces. The two armies join battle at Bosworth, and, despite superior troop numbers, Richard is killed. Richmond is proclaimed King Henry VII and marries Bad@y§Blizabeth; and it emerges that George Stanley’s life has been spared by the men ordered to murder him. The Tudor dynasty begins.