Richard III (Modern Library Classics)

by William Shakespeare

144 censures opinions

  147 by on sort occasion arrange an opportunity 148 index preface story plan, business late recently 150 counsel's innermost thoughts' (puns on advisory "council") consistory council chamber, meeting place 152 direction instruction, guidance

  Act 2 Scene 3

  2.3 Location: a London street

  3 abroad at large, in the outside world

  5 by'r lady by Our Lady (the Virgin Mary) seldom ... better is rarely followed by better things 6 giddy inconstant, unstable

  7 God speed God be with you; a standard greeting

  8 Give ... morrow God give you good day: a standard greeting 9 Doth ... hold is the news true

  10 God ... while i.e. God help us

  10 while age, times

  11 masters sirs look expect

  15 nonage minority, youth council under him the Privy Council, a group of the king's ministers, governing for him 20 so in the same condition wot knows

  22 politic grave counsel wise and reverend guidance

  23 protect act as formal guardians for

  27 emulation rivalry nearest most closely related to the king/most influential over the king 28 touch ... near affect us all too closely

  30 haught haughty, aspiring

  32 solace take comfort, be happy

  36 look for expect

  37 dearth famine, shortage

  38 sort ordain, arrange

  41 cannot reason almost can scarcely reason

  42 heavily gravely, anxiously

  43 still always

  44 mistrust suspect

  45 proof experience

  46 boist'rous violent

  47 Whither away? Where are you going?

  48 justices justices of the peace; the reason for this is never stated Act 2 Scene 4

  2.4 Location: the royal court, London

  1 lay spent the night

  1 Stony Stratford small town in Buckinghamshire

  2 Northampton Northamptonshire town twelve miles farther from London than Stony Stratford, an apparent confusion explained by Shakespeare's sources: Richard and Buckingham met the Prince at Stony Stratford, then (Rivers, Vaughan, and Grey having been arrested) took him back to Northampton before resuming the journey to London 9 cousin general term for a relative

  13 grace virtuous qualities; possibly Richard quibbles on "herb of grace" or rue, an herb with medicinal qualities whose name means "sorrow"

  13 apace quickly

  16 hold apply, prove true

  17 object the same suggest it, apply it

  23 troth faith been remembered remembered 24 flout taunt, mocking insult

  25 touch ... mine mock his growth more pointedly than he mocked mine 28 gnaw ... old various historical accounts claim that Richard was born with teeth, something considered abnormal and ominous 30 biting sharp/to do with teeth

  35 parlous mischievous, wily Go to expression of dismissive impatience shrewd sharp-tongued, cheeky 37 Pitchers have ears proverbial; pitchers were jugs with large handles ("ears")--Elizabeth means that the boy has been eavesdropping on adult conversation 43 Pomfret Pontefract castle, in Yorkshire

  48 can know, can say

  51 house family

  52 hind female deer

  53 Insulting threatening, harmful/exulting scornfully jut thrust, shove/project, encroach 54 aweless inspiring no awe or dread

  54 throne i.e. Prince Edward

  56 map chart of the world/diagram/summary, epitome

  62 seated in power, having gained the throne broils turmoil 63 overblown blown over

  65 preposterous unnatural (literally, in reverse order)

  66 frantic outrage insane violence spleen fury (the spleen was thought to be the seat of extreme emotion) 68 sanctuary churches and their precincts provided sanctuary from arrest; Elizabeth went to Westminster Abbey 75 seal great seal of England, used by the king to authenticate documents; the Archbishop was its official keeper so ... you may my fortunes depend on the care I show you

  Act 3 Scene 1

  3.1 Location: London; exact location unspecified, possibly a street

  1 chamber London was known as the camera regis, Latin for the "king's chamber"

  2 my thoughts' sovereign my chief concern/head of my thoughts 4 crosses troubles (i.e. the arrests of Rivers, Vaughan, and Grey) 5 heavy laborious, burdensome, sorrowful

  6 want lack/desire

  11 jumpeth accords, agrees

  13 attended paid attention, listened

  21 ere before

  22 slug sluggard, lazy fellow

  26 On what occasion for what reason

  28 tender young prince i.e. Edward's younger brother, Richard 29 fain willingly

  30 perforce forcibly

  31 indirect devious/oblique, lengthy/erroneous peevish obstinate/perverse 34 presently immediately

  36 jealous suspicious, mistrustful, overprotective

  37 oratory rhetorical skill

  39 Anon shortly obdurate inflexible, determined 44 senseless unreasonably, foolishly

  46 Weigh ... with if you only judge it by grossness low standards, coarseness 48 benefit protection

  49 dealings actions, conduct

  50 wit intelligence, mature judgment

  53 thence ... there a place that cannot really be considered as sanctuary in his case 54 charter privilege, legal right

  62 sojourn stay, reside

  65 repose you settle yourself, rest

  65 Tower a royal residence as well as a much-feared prison 68 any place all places

  71 re-edified rebuilt, developed

  72 upon record written down

  75 registered recorded

  77 retailed recounted, retold

  78 general ending day universal doomsday, the end of the world 79 So ... long proverbial: "too soon wise to live long"

  81 characters written records

  82 formal Vice conventional Vice figure of morality plays, an allegorical character named after a particular sin and known for wordplay and grim humor niquity sinfulness; a stock name for a Vice figure 83 moralize interpret (perhaps playing on the idea of expounding God's word for the purpose of moral teaching) 85 With ... live i.e. he used his intellect to write down the courageous military exploits that had enriched it, in order to ensure that his reputation lived on 87 his conqueror the one who conquers death

  91 An if if

  94 lightly usually forward early

  98 grief Edward refers to the death of his father

  99 late recently

  103 idle useless

  108 beholding beholden, indebted

  110 as in in that I am

  111 dagger perhaps maintaining the link between Richard and the medieval Vice figure, who traditionally carried a dagger 112 With ... heart very willingly (but also implying that he would gladly stab York with it) 115 toy trifle grief hardship

  117 to it that goes with it

  118 light not heavy (York shifts the sense to "trifling, cheap") 120 a beggar nay no to a beggar

  122 weigh it lightly consider it a trifle/do not think it weighs very much 122 were it even if it were

  123 have continues the grim play on "receive as a gift/receive in death"

  127 still always cross contrary, perverse 131 like ... shoulders professional fools or same bears carried apes on their backs at fairs; attention is drawn here to Richard's hunched back bear puns on the name of the animal 133 sharp-provided quick and ready

  134 mit gate moderate, lessen

  135 prettily cleverly, charmingly

  136 cunning crafty, clever

  151.1 sennet trumpet call signaling the continuation of a procession 152 prating chattering, prattling

  153 incensed urged on, incited subtle cunning 154 opprobriously scornfully, insultingly

  155 perilous wily, dangerous, mischievous

  156 forward spirited, ready capable responsive, receptive 157 all the mother's exactly like his mother

  158 let them rest enough of them, leave them for the moment; or perhaps literally "le
t them take their rest"

  159 deeply profoundly, solemnly

  160 closely secretly

  161 urged proposed, discussed way i.e. the journey from Ludlow to London 163 of ... For share our opinion and intention regarding 166 He ... father's Hastings for Edward IV's

  167 won to aught persuaded to do anything

  171 as ... off in a roundabout way, indirectly sound sound out, probe 172 affected to disposed toward

  174 sit confer, sit in council

  180 divided councils two separate meetings

  181 highly crucially

  182 Lord William i.e. Hastings

  183 ancient knot long-standing group (knot may play on the sense of "tumor") 184 are let blood i.e. will be executed: literally, refers to surgical bloodletting 186 Mistress Shore Hastings' mistress Jane Shore (formerly mistress of Edward IV) 188 heed care

  193 complots conspiracies, schemes

  196 movables portable property

  200 sup betimes have supper early

  201 digest arrange (plays on the sense of literal digestion) form good order Act 3 Scene 2

  3.2 Location: outside Hastings' house

  6 tedious weary, long

  11 boar Richard's heraldic emblem razed pulled, torn helm helmet 13 that ... determined decisions may be taken

  14 to rue grieve

  15 pleasure will, inclination

  16 presently immediately

  17 post ride swiftly

  21 His honour Lord Stanley

  23 toucheth affects, relates to

  24 have intelligence be informed

  25 without instance lacking evidence

  27 mock'ry foolish delusions, false images

  28 fly flee

  29 Were would be

  30 mean (originally) intend

  33 use treat kindly gently, courteously (plays on the sense of "according to his [boarlike] nature") 40 garland i.e. crown (with connotations of a victor's garland) 43 crown head

  44 foul wickedly, wrongfully/in an ugly manner (perhaps recalling Richard's appearance) 46 forward ... party ready to support him, eagerly on his side 54 master's i.e. Edward IV's

  58 they i.e. the queen's relatives in into

  64 monstrous unnatural falls it out it has happened 69 make high account hold you in high estimation (in the context of the following line, high plays on the sense of "high up, aloft") 70 account consider, expect the bridge London Bridge, on which traitors' heads were displayed on poles 73 unprovided unprepared, ill-equipped

  75 rood (Christ's) cross

  76 several separate

  78 protest declare

  81 triumphant cheerful/exultant (over my enemies' deaths) 83 jocund merry, cheerful states were sure positions were secure 84 mistrust doubt, suspect

  86 This ... misdoubt i.e. this sudden hostile attack has made me fearful, mistrustful 88 spent coming to an end (although the scene begins at 4 a.m.: perhaps Stanley refers figuratively to his own "time," i.e. life) 89 have with you literally "I'll join you" or as a reprimand "come along now" Wot know 91 truth loyalty, honesty

  92 hats i.e. official positions (Stanley has Richard's role as royal Protector in mind) 93.1 Pursuivant state messenger with the power to execute warrants 94 before ahead

  95 sirrah sir (used to inferiors)

  100 suggestion instigation, prompting

  103 state prosperity, position, circumstances

  104 hold keep, maintain

  105 Gramercy great thanks

  108 Sir conventional title for a clergyman

  109 I ... exercise Hastings apologizes for not attending the last church service (during which he was in prison) exercise religious service 110 content recompense

  114 shriving work business of saying confession and receiving absolution 119 thence from there

  120 stay stay for

  Act 3 Scene 3

  3.3 Location: Pomfret (Pontefract) castle, Yorkshire

  5 knot tight group

  7 Dispatch get on with it

  10 closure enclosure

  12 for ... seat to add to the disgrace associated with this place dismal seat ominous position 15 exclaimed on cried out against, condemned

  15 Hastings ... I in fact, Margaret does not mention Grey (see Act 1 Scene 3) 20 for instead of

  23 expiate reached, fully come

  Act 3 Scene 4

  3.4 Location: council chamber, the Tower of London

  2 of about

  5 wants but nomination requires only the appointing of the date 6 happy auspicious, favorable

  8 inward intimate

  9 mind temperament/opinion on the coronation/intentions in general 10 for as for

  13 near in love close, intimate

  16 sounded questioned, sounded out

  19 in on voice vote

  20 take ... part accept in a gracious manner

  22 cousins term of address between nobles

  24 neglect cause the neglect of

  27 part role (continues the theatrical language begun with cue) 29 bolder more confident

  37 testy headstrong, short-tempered

  37 hot angry/impetuous

  38 head plays on the etymology of testy, i.e. teste, Old French for "head"

  39 worshipfully respectfully

  42 set down confirmed

  44 provided prepared

  45 prolonged postponed, delayed

  48 smooth seemingly amiable or friendly

  49 conceit idea, fancy likes pleases

  53 straight instantly

  55 livelihood liveliness

  61 charms magic spells

  64 doom sentence

  68 blasted shriveled, blighted by supernatural means

  69 is i.e. is the doing of monstrous unnatural 70 Consorted associated, in conjunction

  70 Shore Jane Shore, Hastings' mistress and formerly Edward IV's 76 the same i.e. Hastings' beheading accomp ished

  80 fond foolish

  81 rouse move violently, pull from our heads

  83 foot-cloth horse horse with a long ornate cloth draped over its back 84 started shied, moved suddenly

  85 As as if loath reluctant, unwilling

  88 triumphing exulting victoriously

  94 shrift confession (to a priest)

  95 grace fortune, favor (in the next line, the sense shifts to "divine grace, mercy") 97 Who he who

  97 in air on the insubstantial foundation, in the emptiness 97 good favoring, approving

  101 bootless useless

  101 exclaim protest, cry out

  Act 3 Scene 5

  3.5 Location: within the walls of the Tower of London

  3.5 rotten rusty/old, decaying

  3.5 marvellous ill-favoured (looking) extremely unsightly 1 change thy colour i.e. make yourself look pale with fear 2 Murder i.e. cut off, catch

  5 counterfeit imitate

  5 deep artful, cunning

  5 tragedian tragic actor

  6 back behind me, over my shoulder (presumably in alarm or distrust) 6 pry peer (nervously or suspiciously)

  7 at wagging at the mere stirring, shaking

  8 Intending expressing, pretending

  8 ghastly full of fear

  9 service command

  9 enforced false, deliberate

  10 offices roles, tasks

  17 o'erlook look over (seems to suggest that the scene takes place on the battlements) 21 patient calm

  25 plainest most honest

  27 book i.e. diary, personal notebook

  28 history narrative, record

  29 smooth plausibly

  30 his ... omitted apart from his manifest guilt

  31 conversation sexual relationship

  32 from free from

  32 attainder of suspects stain of suspicion

  33 covert'st sheltered most secretly concealed

  35 almost even

  37 subtle cunning

  41 Turks i.e. barbarians, non-Christians

  42 form order, code

  43 rashly hastilyr />
  47 fair good fortune

  48 proceeded acted (perhaps with connotations of "taken legal proceedings") 50 looked for expected

  51 fell in plays on the sense of "penetrated sexually"

  52 had ... die we had determined that he should not die

  53 see attend to, manage

  57 timorously with fear, tremblingly

  60 haply perhaps

  61 Misconster misconstrue

  61 us in him our role in or motives for his death

  63 as as if

  68 carping fault-finding, dissatisfied

  69 of regarding

  70 witness testify to

  73 Guildhall central building in which civic affairs were conducted 73 hies ... post hurries as quickly as possible

  74 meetest vantage best opportunity

  75 Infer allege

  78 house both home and either shop or inn

  79 sign i.e. sign bearing the name (The Crown) of the shop or inn 80 luxury lechery, last

  81 change of lust constantly requiring new sexual partners 83 Even where wherever

  85 for a need if necessary

  85 come ... person i.e. tell a tale that will affect me too 86 went ... Of was pregnant with

  89 true exact, accurate

  90 his begot conceived by him

  91 well ... lineaments was obvious in Edward's features, appearance 93 sparingly carefully, discreetly, with restraint

  96 golden fee i.e. the crown (fee perhaps plays on the legal sense of "inherited estate": the sense of "payment" anticipates the reward Buckingham expects for his services) 98 thrive well are successful

  98 Baynard's Castle London residence owned by the Duchess of York, situated by the River Thames near Blackfriars 103 Shaw ... Penker both clergymen who supported Richard 106 take ... order make some secret arrangements

  108 manner manner of

  109 recourse means of access

  Act 3 Scene 6

  3.6 Location: London

  3.6 Scrivener professional scribe, particularly of legal documents 1 indictment formal statement of charges

  2 a set hand formal handwriting

  2 fairly elegantly

  2 engrossed written in large characters appropriate for legal documents ("gross" in its sense of "wicked, reprehensible" may pick up on its moral opposite, "fair") 3 Paul's St. Paul's Cathedral (where public proclamations were often made) 4 the sequel the following/the sequence of events/subsequent scribal copy he produced 7 precedent preceding document, first draft (from which the final copy has been made) 9 Untainted unstained by accunation

  9 unexamined not questioned, interrogated

  9 free at liberty/innocent/untroubled

  10 the while these days

  10 gross stupid

  11 palpable device obvious contrivance

  14 seen in thought i.e. not acknowledged openly

  Act 3 Scene 7

  3.7 Location: Baynard's Castle, London

  3.7 several separate

  3 mum silent

  4 Touched you did you mention

  5 contract betrothal

  6 contract ... France in 3 Henry VI (Act 3 Scene 3) the Earl of Warwick goes to France as Edward's sister-in-law; he and the French king are furious and humiliated when word comes that Edware has abruptly married Elizabeth instead 6 deputy to secure a betrothal with the King of France's