Act+IV-+Summaries,+Highlights,+and+Mild+Commentary

** By Ray Hardwick ** **Scene 1** In front of the Tower of London, The Duchess of York (Richard’s mother), Queen Elizabeth, Dorset's wife, Anne, and Margaret, Clarence's daughter, meet. As they attempt to visit the princes, Brackenbury refuses the request of the women (including their mother) on orders of the new king (Richard). Stanley joins them and tells Anne she is to be crowned as Richard’s Queen. This is so Richard can further grip his reigns of power. Queen Elizabeth, horrified by this development, tells Dorset to seek residence with Richmond in France to avoid the coming bloodshed. The Duchess wishes that Richard had never been born due to the atrocities he has begun to and will commit. Anne is reluctant to accept the title of Queen, and the other women understand her plight; she recalls with displeasure how she was wooed by Richard and indicates she will never have a good night’s sleep while married to him, fearing that he could kill her at ay moment due to his power. //**Highlights :**// Richard has become king after dealing with anybody who could immediately threaten his ascension to the throne. This is a major plot point where Richard, after attaining what has craved the most, turns from being somewhat of an anti-hero to a textbook example of a power hungry villain.
 *  Act IV- Setting the Stage **

**Scene 2** In the royal court, King Richard asks Buckingham to kill the princes in the Tower. Buckingham asks for time to think, and Richard decides that Buckingham is now a threat because of his wavering resolve. He sends a boy to find a man named James Tyrell to kill the princes in the Tower instead of Buckingham. Stanley then arrives to inform Richard that Dorset has fled to Richmond; the new king instructs Catesby to spread a rumor that his wife Anne is very sick to make her inevitable death less suspicious. He also wishes Clarence’s daughter to be married to an idiot outside of the royal court, but does not worry about Calrence’s son, Edward, knowing he is a fool. He resolves he must be married to the former King Edwrd IV's daughter, Elizabeth of York. Tyrrel arrives and he instructs him in how to kill Edward and York, the two princes. Buckingham comes back, and asks for the earldom of Hereford as his promised reward for his service. Richard ignores him initially, being preoccupied with concern about Richmond until he finally rejects his request, making Buckingham flee. **Highlights** : Buckingham, who till this point has been completely faithful to Richard, is denied what he was promised (earldom) after hesitating to kill the princes in the tower. Buckingham flees from Richard’s court and the king is left without his right-hand man.

**Scene 3** Returning to the royal court, Tyrell informs Richard that two acquaintances of his smothered the princes to death and buried them to wipe any physical trace of their existence; this leaves Richard the uncontested ruler of England. Ratcliffe informs him that Morton, the Bishop of Ely has fled to Richmond, and Buckingham is raising an army backed by Welshmen. Richard decides to quickly crush the threats to his power. **Highlights** : Although Richard is already king, the elimination of the princes completely secures his ownership of the throne. However, this victory is undermined by a variety of threats to his power, among them his former right hand man.

**Scene 4** Near the royal court, Queen Margaret, pleased with the unfurling kingdom around her, finally resolves to go to France. Meanwhile, Queen Elizabeth and the Duchess meet and lament their terrible losses while Queen Margaret listens with glee. She then comes forward and joins in the talk of grief and losses; after a short conversation, Queen Margaret leaves. Richard's procession comes by. The women curse him as he travels by so Richard has music played to drown out the curses. Despite this hostile setting, Richard once again masterfully pursues his interest in Queen Elizabeth's daughter Elizabeth. After attempting to reject Richard’s offers, she finally relents and offers to take Richard’s suit to her daughter; just like his former wife, Anne, Richard silently notes Queen Elizabeth’s easily swayed to his whims. Later, Ratcliffe informs Richard that Richmond is approaching England with a navy. Richard sends Catesby and Ratcliffe various locales to enlist their support and troops to his cause. Stanley informs him that Richmond, backed by Buckingham, Dorset, and Morton, is approaching at sea, coming to claim the crown as his own. Richard suspecting that Stanley will betray him, forces him to leave his son behind, threatening to behead him if Stanley betrays him. More messengers arrive with news of further uprisings and rebellion against his rule; Buckingham's army has been scattered by floods and Richmond was forced to return to France due to storms. Catesby soon returns to announce Buckingham’s capture. **Highlights** : Queen Margaret puts in her last appearance here and is glad to see that the world her enemies stole from her is finally coming down around them. Richard also proves his skill with words has not been lost; he quickly convinces Queen Elizabeth to allow his niece to consider his marriage proposal so he can truly close any openings people may try to use to claim the throne. A new threat to his short reign also makes its appearance; Richmond is to invade England with the help of a select few to usurp Richard. This proves to be for naught, as Richmond is forced to flee and Buckingham is captured, ready to be delivered back to his former master.

**Scene 5** From his home, Stanley sends a letter expressing his support for Richmond, but fears for his son's life due to Richard’s earlier threat. Richmond, who has made his way to Wales, commands his army to make its way towards London. **Highlights :** Since Richard does not completely trust Stanley, he has taken his son as insurance should he rise against his rule. Secretly defying him, Stanley pledges his support to Richmond, who has an army in Wales marching towards England. This sets the stage for the inevitable battle that will follow as well as the end of Richard’s reign.