I read this
Shakespeare’s play both for Let’s Read Plays (I skipped last February’s theme:
History, and so would pay it off this month). I would also read this for my
WEM Self-Project, and as usual, the first few posts would be dedicated for
summaries, as inquired for the First Level Inquiry. Now, let us summarize Act I
and II….
Act I
Scene I
In peace
time Richard, who has a deformed body, was bored, and so he sets up an
adversary between his brother Clarence and King Edward IV (Richard’s brother)
so that Clarence would be imprisoned. After that he intends to marry Lady Anne
after killing her husband and father-in-law.
Scene II
King Henry
VI was stabbed just like Prince Edward, Anne’s husband. Anne was first enraged
with Richard whom she knew was the murderer; but under his smart courting,
Richard finally conquered the lady.
Scene III
Queen
Elizabeth worried that the throne would go to King’s brothers, not to her
too-young sons. Richard complained that Elizabeth had roused King’s dislike
against him and Clarence, while Queen Margaret—who was King Henry’s
widow—accused Richard and cursed everybody. In the end Elizabeth and everybody
else seemed to take side with Richard.
Scene IV
Two
murderers were sent by Richard to murder Clarence up in the Tower (prison).
After reasoning with their own consciences and even debating with
the-victim-to-be, Clarence was stabbed by one of the murderers, while the other
one fled away.
Act II
Scene I
While dying,
King Edward IV reconciled all the disputed factions within the family: the
Queen, the Dukes, and Richard. King Edward regrets very much of Clarence’s
death whose execution-warrant revision had come late (another trick from
Richard!). The King accused the others for not pleading for Clarence’s life.
Scene II
King Edward
finally died, and everyone agreed that a small train should dispatch The Prince
to be crowned. Apparently Buckingham conspired with Richard to (I guess) kidnap and murder
the Prince.
Scene III
Citizens
foresaw that troubles will happen in their country after the King died; the
factions of King’s and Queen’s relatives would be vying for the throne.
Scene IV
While
waiting for Prince Edward’s arrival, a message came that Lord Rivers and Grey
had been imprisoned by Richard and Buckingham. Queen, Duchess of York and young
York fled to a sanctuary, carrying the Seal of England which had been trusted
by Archbishop of York to the Queen.
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