Richard III
Shakescleare Translation

Richard III Translation Table of Contents

“Now is the winter of our discontent,” Richard famously explains at the top of the play that bears his name. In Richard III, Richard is unsatisfied with his position as the subordinate younger brother to King Edward and George, Duke of Clarence. The only thing separating Richard from the throne are his brothers and their heirs. Yet, after Richard wins the crown through murder, Henry Tudor rises as a threat in the west. How will Richard hold onto his crown? A momentous history play that has determined Richard’s place in cultural memory, Shakespeare’s Richard III sees the fall of the House of York and the rise of the Tudors at the tail-end of the Wars of the Roses. The Shakescleare version of the play includes the original text alongside a modern English translation, which will equip you to decode Richard III’s most important quotes, like “My kingdom for a horse!”

Act 1, Scene 1

The Duke of Clarence has been arrested and meets Richard. Richard plans to turn his brother, the King, against Clarence.

Act 1, Scene 2

Henry VI's corpse is led in a state procession. Richard halts this, and woos Lady Anne, who agrees to marry him.

Act 1, Scene 3

Richard turns the nobles at court against each other, and sends assassins to kill Clarence.

Act 1, Scene 4

The assassins arrive to murder Clarence, although pangs of conscience slow their action.

Act 2, Scene 1

The sick King Edward IV discovers that Clarence has been executed against his orders. Richard passes on the blame.

Act 2, Scene 2

Clarence's children aren't told about his death. Elizabeth announces Edward's death. Richard and Buckingham plot.

Act 2, Scene 3

Citizens discuss the death of the king. They express concern that there may be a war to determine who takes the throne.

Act 2, Scene 4

Queen Elizabeth's supporters have been imprisoned. She, the Duchess of York, and the young princes seek sanctuary.

Act 3, Scene 1

Richard and Buckingham encourage the princes to stay in the Tower of London. The two men then plot to crown Richard.

Act 3, Scene 2

Lord Stanley is worried. Catesby tries to convince Hastings to join Richard's faction, but Hastings refuses.

Act 3, Scene 3

Recounting previous moments in British history, Rivers, Grey, and Vaughan prepare to be executed at Pomfret.

Act 3, Scene 4

Nobles meet to discuss the coronation. Richard accuses Hastings of treason, and has him arrested and condemned to die.

Act 3, Scene 5

Richard convinces the Lord Mayor to vouch for Hastings' death. Richard plans to suggest Edward's children are bastards.

Act 3, Scene 6

A professional scribe reports the official charges leveled at Hastings, noting that they are obviously false.

Act 3, Scene 7

Buckingham describes his meeting with the citizens. Richard pretends to not want kingship, but then accepts it.

Act 4, Scene 1

The Duchess of York and Elizabeth can't visit the princes. Richard's new wife, Anne, is called for her coronation.

Act 4, Scene 2

Richard is formally crowned. He shows displeasure with Buckingham, and sends Tyrrel to kill the princes in the Tower.

Act 4, Scene 3

Tyrrel announces the princes' deaths. Richard plans to woo his niece Elizabeth. A civil war has begun.

Act 4, Scene 4

Queen Margaret, the Duchess of York, and Elizabeth curse Richard. Battle is imminent. Buckingham is captured.

Act 4, Scene 5

Nobles discuss abandoning Richard and joining the rebellion, which is growing quickly.

Act 5, Scene 1

Buckingham is being led to execution and asks to speak with Richard, although the sheriff denies him this favor.

Act 5, Scene 2

Richmond leads the rebellion, and says that nobody has opposed him so far. The rebels prepare to fight.

Act 5, Scene 3

The two armies set up camp. Richard is haunted by his victims' ghosts. The armies continue to prepare for battle.

Act 5, Scene 4

The battle rages. Richard is hunting for Richmond on the battlefield, but has not found him yet.

Act 5, Scene 5

Richmond kills Richard. Richmond takes the crown, announces his engagement, and pardons his foes, thus ending the war.