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| Character | Gloucester (Richard III) | |
|---|---|---|
| Gender | Male | |
| Age Range(s) | Young Adult (20-35), Adult (36-50) | |
| Type of monologue / Character is | Descriptive, Talking to the audience, Malicious/scheming, Pondering/Pensive | |
| Type | Dramatic | |
| Period | Renaissance | |
| Genre | Historical, Drama | |
| Props | Dagger | |
| Description | Gloucester (future Richard III) ruminates over King Henry VI's body | |
| Location | ACT V, Scene 6 | |
Summary
The play is about the house of York's claim to the throne against King Henry VI.
The Duke of York organizes a revolt against King Henry VI and wins. However, he promises King Henry VI that he will let him rule England until his death. The Duke of York will be his successor. York's sons, Edward and Richard, persuade their father to break his promise and seize the crown before Henry's death. York is persuaded to fight against Henry's army.
The two opposing sides fight and York is killed. York's army, however, prevails and the king flees with his army. King Henry flees to Scotland but is captured. Edward becomes king and proposes to Lady Gray to his brothers' surprise, after sending Warwick to France to ask for the King of France to give his sister in marriage to him. Queen Margaret, Henry's wife, goes to France as well to beg for help. A messenger arrives with news that King Edward has married Lady Gray. Warwick feels betrayed and vows vengeance. He decides to support the deposed King Henry and Queen Margaret, gathers an army with the support of the King of France and goes to England.
Warwick's troops manage to capture Edward but he manages to escape with the help of Richard and Hastings. Edward gathers an army with all his supporters and faces Warwick. Warwick is killed in the battle. Margaret is defeated and her son stabbed. In this scene Richard goes to the Tower of London to kill King Henry VI. He has just stabbed King Henry once and after letting go of his rage against the king and the House of Lancaster, he ruminates about himself and his future. He feels like he is alone, not capable to feel love for anyone. He plans to spread rumors about his brother George and cause his downfall.
The Duke of York organizes a revolt against King Henry VI and wins. However, he promises King Henry VI that he will let him rule England until his death. The Duke of York will be his successor. York's sons, Edward and Richard, persuade their father to break his promise and seize the crown before Henry's death. York is persuaded to fight against Henry's army.
The two opposing sides fight and York is killed. York's army, however, prevails and the king flees with his army. King Henry flees to Scotland but is captured. Edward becomes king and proposes to Lady Gray to his brothers' surprise, after sending Warwick to France to ask for the King of France to give his sister in marriage to him. Queen Margaret, Henry's wife, goes to France as well to beg for help. A messenger arrives with news that King Edward has married Lady Gray. Warwick feels betrayed and vows vengeance. He decides to support the deposed King Henry and Queen Margaret, gathers an army with the support of the King of France and goes to England.
Warwick's troops manage to capture Edward but he manages to escape with the help of Richard and Hastings. Edward gathers an army with all his supporters and faces Warwick. Warwick is killed in the battle. Margaret is defeated and her son stabbed. In this scene Richard goes to the Tower of London to kill King Henry VI. He has just stabbed King Henry once and after letting go of his rage against the king and the House of Lancaster, he ruminates about himself and his future. He feels like he is alone, not capable to feel love for anyone. He plans to spread rumors about his brother George and cause his downfall.
Written by Administrator
| Excerpt |
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| GLOUCESTER What, will the aspiring blood of Lancaster Sink in the ground? I thought it would have mounted. See how my sword weeps for the poor king's death! O, may such purple tears be alway shed From those that wish the downfall of our house! If any spark of life be yet remaining, Down, down to hell; and say I sent thee thither: [Stabs him again] I, that have neither pity, love, nor fear. Indeed, 'tis true that Henry told me of; For I have often heard my mother say I came into the world with my legs forward: Had I not reason, think ye, to make haste, And seek their ruin that usurp'd our right? The midwife wonder'd and the women cried 'O, Jesus bless us, he is born with teeth!' And so I was; which plainly signified That I should snarl and bite and play the dog. Then, since the heavens have shaped my body so, Let hell make crook'd my mind to answer it. I have no brother, I am like no brother; And this word 'love,' which graybeards call divine, Be resident in men like one another And not in me: I am myself alone. Clarence, beware; thou keep'st me from the light: But I will sort a pitchy day for thee; For I will buz abroad such prophecies That Edward shall be fearful of his life, And then, to purge his fear, I'll be thy death. King Henry and the prince his son are gone: Clarence, thy turn is next, and then the rest, Counting myself but bad till I be best. I'll throw thy body in another room And triumph, Henry, in thy day of doom. |
