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)
Ter. | Terrell.
Words
283
Characters
1431
Typicality
0.33 (cosine to cluster centroid)
TCP id
A10730
BritDrama no.
839
Cluster
Cluster 15 — Devils, vices & grotesques
Important excerpts
No keyword-matching excerpt could be extracted (the cluster label doesn't share vocabulary with this character's speech).
Full speech
Else God forbid, say on what ere it be. Why sir Robert you are beside the matter, what need you use such speeches what matters are between the King and me, I pray you leave it, and deliver me the keys. Alas good sir Robert, he is kind hearted, but it must not prevail, what I have promised the King I must perform. But ho Miles Forest. Miles Forest, have you God those men I spoke of, they must be resolute and pitiless. I prithee call them in that I may see them, and speak with them. Come hither sirs, to make a long discourse were but a folly, you seem to be resolute in this cause that Miles Forest hath delivered to you, therefore you must cast away pity, & not so much as think upon favour, for the more stern that you are, the more shall you please the King. Well said, but the Kings pleasure is this, that he will have no blood shed in the deed doing, therefore let me hear your advises? Nay that I Like not, for 'tis too tyrannous. Nay sirs, then hear me, I will have it it done in this or der, when they be both a bed and at rest, Miles Forest thou shalt bring them up both, and between two feather beds smother them both. I now Miles Forest, is this deed dispatched? But tell me, what hast thou done with them? I will go certify the King with speed, that Miles Forest, Will Slawter, and Jack Denten, they three have done the deed. And so farewell. No, I Like not that so well, what sayest thou Will, what is thy opinion?
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.