57
who, filled with grief, haunts the
palace and in vain warns everyone
against Richard.
Richard now seeks the support
of London’s citizens in making
himself king. Their silence shows
public unease at Richard’s ambition
but Buckingham stage-manages
this into approval and Richard
takes the crown. Denied access
to her sons, Queen Elizabeth fears
the worst. Once he’s on the throne,
Richard tells Buckingham he
wants his nephews dead. When
Buckingham hesitates, Richard
orders Tyrrel to kill them.Clouds gather for Richard as his
surviving friends and enemies join
forces. Buckingham deserts him to
assist an invasion force from France
led by the Earl of Richmond. As
Richard moves from London to
challenge Richmond, his progress
is interrupted by his mother, the
Duchess of York, and Queen
Elizabeth who condemn him. He
tries to turn this to his advantage
by persuading the Queen to let him
marry Princess Elizabeth, now that
Anne, too, is dead. Their encounter
is a powerful one and Richard
believes he has won. But theTHE FREELANCE WRITER
Act 2 Act 3 Act 4 Act 5
Queen won’t change sides. On the
eve of the Battle of Bosworth, both
Richard and Richmond dream of
the ghosts of Richard’s victims,
who promise Richmond fortune and
curse Richard as a traitor, murderer,
and villain. Richard wakes
sweating and tries to dismiss
their words. But the voice of his
conscience declares him guilty.
When they meet in battle Richmond
kills the unhorsed Richard. Finally,
Richmond promises that he and
Elizabeth will bring England the
peace and prosperity that Richard
described at the start. ❯❯2.1
3.1 3.7 4.4
3.4 4.1 5.5
King Edward
attempts to reconcile
Queen Elizabeth’s
family and his own, but
Richard destroys this
with news of Clarence’s
execution. King Edward
dies soon afterwards.
The young princes arrive
in London to learn that
Richard has imprisoned
their uncles and they are
to lodge in the Tower.Buckingham
presents a pious,
modest Richard to
the citizens of
London. Richard
feigns reluctance
to accept the
throne.Richard tries to persuade
Queen Elizabeth to let him
marry her daughter; she
pretends to agree.Richard accuses
Hastings of treason
and has him executed
without trial.Anne learns that
Richard has declared
himself King when
she, Elizabeth, and the
Duchess are prevented
from visiting the princes
in the Tower.Richard and Richmond
are visited by the
ghosts of Richard’s
victims as they sleep.
Richard tries in vain to
persuade himself
he’s not a villain.5.6
At the Battle of
Bosworth Richard is
killed by Richmond,
who takes the crown
and promises peace.