King Richard III

King Richard III Summary | Act 1, Scene 1 Summary

Richard of Gloucester, King Edward IV's brother, recites a monologue to himself in which he conveys that peace has come to England. However, he is not satisfied. He was born misshapen, and he is so ugly that dogs bark at him as he limps by. Since he is too deformed to be worthy of love, he has resolved to be a villain. He has laid a plot to set his two brothers, King Edward and Clarence, against each other. Richard invented a prophecy, which he told Edward, that "G of Edward's heirs" would murder him. Richard is confident Edward will interpret the prophecy to mean the Duke of Clarence, whose given name is George, is going to kill him.

Clarence enters, being led to the tower by guards. Richard feigns ignorance and concern and asks why Clarence is guarded. Clarence explains that King Edward is convinced that Clarence is planning to kill him because of some prophecy. Richard thinks Edward is being ruled by his wife; otherwise, he would not do such a thing, and he says that neither of them is safe from her. Clarence must be led away and Richard tells him not to worry for his imprisonment will not be long. Clarence is led away and Richard reveals that he plans to ensure that Clarence is killed.

Lord Hastings enters, who has just recently been released from the tower. He tells Richard that the king is in very bad health. Richard pretends to be saddened by the news and tells Hastings he will go to see the king. When Hastings leaves, Richard reveals his joy at Edward's illness. However, he needs Edward to stay alive long enough to have Clarence executed. He then plans to marry Anne Neville, who is the widow of Edward, Prince of Wales.