Richard III Act II - Questions/Analysis

 

 

  

 

 

02 May 2005

William Shakespeare

“The Tragedy of King Richard the Third”

 

Act 2

1. How does Richard further reveal his character? Give example with explanation.

 

           A blessed labor, my most sovereign lord.

           Among this princely heap, if any here

           By false intelligence of wrong surmise

           Hold me a foe –

 

           Richard reveals his character blaming Edward who causes him to have resentment against his brother. He already rationalizes himself about his further vice plans that Edward causes him to do.

 

           But he, poor man, by your first order died,

           And that a winged Mercury did bear;

           Some tardy cripple bore the counterman,

           That came too lag to see him buried.

 

Moreover, Richard disguises himself by pretending sympathy on Clarence’s death which he tried to prevent it.

 

2. Give an example of how Richard further advances his cause - and explain.

 

           This is the fruits of rashness. Marked you not

           How that the guilty kindred of the queen

           Looked pale when they did hear of Clarence’ death?

           O, they did urge it still unto the king.

           God will revenge it. Come, lords, will you go

           To comfort Edward with our company?

 

           Richard blames Clarence’s death on Edward’s rashness of queen’s urging from her suspicion which was devised the vice plot by him. Moreover, Richard gives a clue his further revenge plan against which that will be done is not by his will, but God’s hand.