Act III-IV:
*Richard has his young nephews put in the Tower of London “for their protection.”
*Rivers, Grey and Vaughan are executed.
*Richard denounces Hastings and sentences him to death.
*Richard manipulates the crowd to crown him king after first appearing reluctant.
*Anne becomes Richard’s wife.
*Richard orders the death of the young princes, plots to kill Anne and marry his niece, Elizabeth of York. Buckingham flees to Richmond, disgusted with Richard, but gets captured and returned to Richard for his execution.
Richard pretends to be a loving uncle, but has his nephews put in the Tower of London to counter any claims to the crown. Richard makes an alliance with Buckingham, and together they plot for Richard to become king. To weaken their claim to the throne, Buckingham, Richard’s ally, spreads rumors that the young princes are illegitimate.
King Edward IV dies and his young son, Edward, becomes king. Richard has been made Lord Protector because his nephew is too young to rule the country. This role gives Richard power in the royal court and allows him to rule in his nephew’s place.
King Edward IV dies and his young son, Edward, becomes king. Richard has been made Lord Protector because his nephew is too young to rule the country. This role gives Richard power in the royal court and allows him to rule in his nephew’s place.
Richard starts to remove the allies of the young prince. Queen Elizabeth’s brother, Earl Rivers, and son from her first marriage, Lord Grey, are arrested.
Richard also accuses Lord Hastings, who is loyal to the prince, of treason and witchcraft. He has Lord Hastings arrested and executed. His aim is to isolate the princes and strengthen his claim to the throne.
Buckingham and Richard stage a fake scene, in which a pious Richard pretends to be unwilling to become king. When disease kills Edward, Richard kills Hastings and Elizabeth’s relatives and becomes king.
Queen Elizabeth and Lady Anne learn that Richard is to be crowned king and join together to condemn him. Queen Elizabeth tells her older son from her first marriage, the Marquis of Dorset, to flee to France and join the Earl of Richmond. Richmond is a Lancaster and is in France plotting to overthrow Richard.
Richard orders the murders of the princes and his wife, Lady Anne. He plots to marry his niece, Princess Elizabeth, to strengthen his position as king. The murder of the young princes is a key turning point when the audience can see that Richard is truly evil and there is no way back for his character.
Richard orders the murders of the princes and his wife, Lady Anne. He plots to marry his niece, Princess Elizabeth, to strengthen his position as king. The murder of the young princes is a key turning point when the audience can see that Richard is truly evil and there is no way back for his character.
Queen Elizabeth, Queen Margaret, and Richard’s mother, the Duchess of York, are united in their hatred of Richard. The women confront Richard and curse him. The Duchess of York predicts that he will meet a bloody death.
Queen Elizabeth gives Richard the impression that she accepts his proposal to marry Princess Elizabeth, but she secretly promises her daughter will marry Richmond.
Buckingham asks for a reward for his loyalty. Richard refuses to reward Buckingham for his loyalty and so Buckingham escapes to Wales and joins Richmond and his army.
Queen Elizabeth gives Richard the impression that she accepts his proposal to marry Princess Elizabeth, but she secretly promises her daughter will marry Richmond.
Buckingham asks for a reward for his loyalty. Richard refuses to reward Buckingham for his loyalty and so Buckingham escapes to Wales and joins Richmond and his army.
