Overview
Synopsis
To what lengths will one man go to be king? Richard, the Duke of Gloucester, has his eye on the throne of England and desires all of the power it entails. However, his brother Edward is king, and there are several people--including his young nephew--in line for the monarchy before Richard can ever hope to gain the crown. But as Gloucester has resolved to be a villain, he begins a killing spree to eliminate anyone and everyone in his path. Based on the last of the historical Plantagenet Kings, Shakespeare’s Richard III brings to life one of the most infamous monarchs in England’s history in a twisting tale of villainy and intrigue for the ages.
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Context
While it was most likely written in 1592 or 1593, William Shakespeare’s Richard III was not entered into London’s Official Register until October 20, 1597. It was probably performed before then, but there are no definitive records regarding the first production.
The Plantagenet Kings were a popular subject for Shakespeare’s history plays, and while Richard III offers an account of the last Plantagenet King, it is one of his earliest history plays. Shakespeare used Holinshed’s Chronicles
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Act One
Richard, the Duke of Gloucester, greets the audience. He explains that the civil war between the Yorks and the Lancasters is over, that his brother Edward IV of York is on the throne of England, and that they are in a time of peace. However, he has no joy in it, and is instead determined to be a villain, to “set my brother Clarence and the king / In deadly hate, the one against the other.” George, the Duke of Clarence, is his older brother (Edward IV is the oldest of the three),
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Character Portrayals
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Scenes
Key Terms
An 'alarum' is a stage direction or sound cue, typically indicating a battle, fight, or disturbance offstage. It was frequently used in English Renaissance drama to signal chaos or action without showing it directly.
To deceive or trick; used in older dramatic works to describe manipulation or con artistry.
To conceal one's true motives or feelings, a frequent tactic in English Renaissance drama.
Occurs when the audience knows more than the characters on stage, creating tension, humor, or poignancy.
Relating to the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, marked by flourishing English drama and playwrights like Shakespeare and Marlowe.
An archaic word meaning 'gladly' or 'willingly,' often found in English Renaissance plays.
A dramatic genre that dramatizes historical events, especially English history, as seen in Shakespeare’s plays.
A term in classical medicine and drama referring to bodily fluids that affect temperament; also used to mean comedy. This term plays a vital role in understanding theatrical structure and is commonly encountered in stagecraft or performance settings.
A poetic meter consisting of five iambs per line, widely used in English Renaissance drama by playwrights like Shakespeare.
A Prophecy is a prediction or foretelling of future events, usually delivered by a character with divine insight or supernatural authority. In drama, prophecies often create dramatic tension by revealing the outcome before it happens. Characters may try to avoid the prophecy, but their actions usually bring it about, underscoring themes of fate and inevitability.
A brief trumpet flourish used in Shakespearean theatre to announce the entrance or exit of important characters.
A speech delivered by a character alone on stage, revealing inner thoughts or emotions to the audience. Common in Shakespearean plays.
Historically associated with melancholy or ill temper, 'spleen' appears in poetic drama to express emotional imbalance.
An archaic term meaning style or mood, used in early drama to describe a poetic or dramatic approach.
A poetic word for 'face,' often used in classical theatre to describe appearance or emotion.
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Guide Written By:
Cindi Calhoun
Theatre teacher, director, writer, and seamstress