Scene 1: We are first introduced to Richard. He tells us of his plans to become king of England. Clarence comes in, escorted by Brakenbury. They leave to go to the Tower of London, where Clarence has been sent by the King. Scene 2: This scene opens of the funeral of Henry VI, the king who was killed by the current royal family. Anne, the late king's daughter in law, mourns his passing. In an extremely unlikely scene (see Analyzing Reality) Richard convinces Anne to marry her. After Anne leaves, Richard brags about his accomplishment. Scene 3: King Edward is very sick. Queen Margaret enters and places curses on most of the characters. However, when she attempts to curse Richard, he turns her curse back upon herself. After everyone leaves, Richard hires two murderers to kill Clarence in the Tower. Scene 4: Clarence has a bad dream, then the murderers kill him. They stab him and then drown him in wine. Act 2: Scene 1: King Edward is still sick and getting worse. He knows that he may die soon, so he attempts to make the two opposing sides of the family (Those who follow Richard and those who don't)make up and become friends. They pretend to do so. Richard tells King Edward that Clarence is dead, and that it is the King's fault. Edward feels very guilty. Scene 2: King Edward dies. Queen Elizabeth, the Duchess of York (Clarence's and Edward's mother), and Clarence's two children mourn their losses. The Prince of Wales is sent for to be crowned. Scene 3: Three citzens discuss what has happened and their fears for the future. Scene 4: Richard and his henchman Buckingham arrest Rivers, Grey, and Vaughan. They will be executed at Pomfret. Act 3: Scene 1: Prince Edward arrives in London. Richard and Buckingham forge paperwork saying that Hastings is a traitor. Scene 2: Catesby, one of Richard's allies, interrogates Hastings. Hastings seems unwilling to support Richard. Plans to kill Hastings are confirmed. Scene 3: Rivers, Grey, and Vaughan are executed at Pomfret. Scene 4: There is a meeting to determine when the date of Edward's coronation will be. Richard bursts in, accuses Hastings of being a traitor, and has Lovel and Ratcliffe kill him. Scene 5: Lovel and Ratcliffe inform Richard that they have killed Hastings. They make plans to claim that the princes are illegitamate. Scene 6: A scrivener has spent 11 hours to forge a formal inditement of Hastings. Scene 7: Richard and Buckingham declare the princes bastards and not fit to be king. Buckingham offers the crown to Richard but Richard pretends to not want it. Buckingham finally 'forces' Richard to take the crown 'unwillingly'. Richard becomes King Richard III. Act 4: Scene 1: Queen Anne, Queen Elizabeth, and the Duchess of York try to visit the children in the Tower of London, but Brakenbury stops them. He says he has orders from Richard not to let anybody visit them. Richmond has escaped to France and is building up an army to challenge Richard. Several people, including Queen Elizabeth's son Dorset, escape England to join him. Scene 2: King Richard asks Buckingham to kill the two princes in the tower, but he refuses. The job instead goes to Tyrell. Richard circulates a rumor that Queen Anne is very sick. Scene 3: Tyrell tells the king that the princes are dead. Ratcliffe tells Richard that more people have betrayed him and joined Richmond's army, including Buckingham. Scene 4: Queen Margaret enters once again and mourns with Queen Elizabeth and the Duchess of York. She is finally able to curse Richard. Richard tells everyone that Anne has died. He plans to marry King Edward and Queen Elizabeth's daughter Elizabeth - who is his niece - to prevent Richmond from doing the same, which would give Richmond a chance to be king. Richard asks Queen Elizabeth for her daughter's hand in marriage. Queen Elizabeth does not give a clear yes or no. Scene 5: Derby debates whether to betray Richard. Act 5: Scene 1: Buckingham is executed. Scene 2: Richmond first appears and prepares for battle. Scene 3: Richard prepares for the battle. When he goes to sleep, the ghosts of everyone he has murdered curse him and assure Richmond of victory. Scene 4: The battle starts; Richard is losing. Scene 5: Richard is killed by Richmond. Richmond marries Princess Elizabeth. Derby crowns him King Henry VII.
