Richard III Act 4 – “An honest tale speeds best, being plainly told…”

Richard III Act IV – “An honest tale speeds best, being plainly told…”

Since we know that 'Titus Andronicus' and 'Henry VI Part 1' were performed at the Rose Theatre, we can probably assume that 'Richard III' was first performed at this polygon-shaped Elizabethan marvel. The Rose Theatre (built in 1587), was only a few years old in 1592. It had just had its capacity further expanded to accommodate about 2,000 people for the summer 1592 season so was by far the largest theatre venue in London compared to The Curtain (which held about 1,200 and was built in 1577) or The Theatre (which held about 900 and was built in 1576). The shifting focus of 'Richard III' and the juxtaposition of scenes in the Tower to court and battle scenes is also suggestive of the two level staging of the Rose Theatre. 

The action of ‘Richard III’ picks up pace in Act IV, as the character of Richard III shifts from arrogant self-assuredness, to paranoia, and as we know, Richard knows paranoia is merely total awareness. Anne (remember that Richard III killed her husband before he married her) realizes that she is indeed cursed and that Richard’s star is on the rise. Dorset follows the Duchess of York’s advice and flees to France to find a decent red wine and gather forces to back Richmond whose claim to the throne now seems like the only light on the horizon.

“So far in blood that sin will pluck on sin.

Tear-falling pity dwells not in this eye…”

Richard III’s crown sits as well upon his head as pity and remorse does in his heart. Buckingham now no longer mindlessly follows Richard’s orders especially his order to kill the young princes. Buckingham flees to his family home in Wales where he does not just intend to sing in the parish choir. This doesn’t affect Richard too much because he had already declared that Buckingham was not on his BFF list and if Facebook had been invented, Richard would have delisted Buckingham as a friend. Richard embraces the mercenary low life Tyrrell to do his dark business but even Tyrell is shaken by the darkness of the deed of killing two young innocent princes. Starting rumors of Queen Anne being on death’s door, Richard suggests he will confine and do away with her. Anne being out of the way, Richard announces his intention to woo and marry Elizabeth, the daughter of King Edward (who he also murdered). Richard believes that marrying Elizabeth will mean that his right to the throne is cemented. Ratcliffe’s news of imminent assaults from Richmond’s armies in France and Buckingham’s in Wales, bring Richard back down to earth to face the enormity of the forces opposing him.

Margaret re-appears on the scene and sounds more words of warning and wisdom:

“Think that thy babes were sweeter than they were,


And he that slew them fouler than he is…”

Her life of pain and misery seems to teach the other women how to curse and rail against Richard III as they lament the death of the young princes. Richard III seems genuinely shaken by the women’s curses. He then asks Elizabeth to help him woo her daughter. She is outraged at this suggestion and mocks him by asking what she should say to her daughter on his behalf: 
"What were I best to say? Her father's brother
Would be her lord? Or shall I say, her uncle?
Or, he that slew her brothers and her uncles?"
But, realizing the precariousness of her position, she concedes to his demands. Just after this, a tsunami of bad news arrives for Richard III. It seems from France to Wales, all are turning against Richard and he must once again show his power on the battlefield. But we see an indecisive Richard, very different from the one that faced the forces of Henry VI on the battlefields.