Richard III Ch. 9: Act III, Scene 1

William Shakespeare

Act III, Scene 1: Richard as Protector

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Summary

Young Prince Edward enters London to a public welcome from Buckingham and Gloucester. He asks for his missing uncles; Gloucester calls Rivers and Grey dangerous men with poison in their hearts. The prince answers simply that they were none. Hastings reports the Queen and young York have taken sanctuary; Buckingham sends the Cardinal to fetch York with arguments that children cannot claim refuge they have not deserved.

Edward asks where he will stay until coronation and rejects the Tower. He discusses Caesar, fame, and truth while Gloucester mutters aside that the wise and young do not live long. Young York arrives, parries with Gloucester over daggers, swords, and size, and says he will not sleep quietly in the Tower because Clarence's ghost was murdered there. The princes leave for the Tower with heavy hearts.

Alone, Gloucester calls York a perilous boy and sends Catesby to sound Hastings on making Gloucester king. Richard orders Pomfret executions announced and tells Buckingham that if Hastings will not yield, they will chop off his head, then sup and digest their complots in form.

Hastings is sent to argue the Queen out of sanctuary. Catesby is sent to learn whether Hastings will make Gloucester king. The Tower lodging is chosen before either answer comes back.

In this chapter:Terms Characters Key Quotes Modern Story

Why This Matters

Recognizing the Guardian Trap

False guardians remove your allies first, then offer themselves as the only safe path. Gloucester smears Rivers, breaks sanctuary for young York, and lodges both princes in the Tower while muttering that the wise young do not live long.

Ask who narrowed your options and who benefits once you accept their protection.

This chapter

Inside the Mind: Prince Edward

The prince asks for the uncles who are missing and is told they are dangerous, poison in their hearts. He answers that they were none. That sentence is the last clean refusal in the welcome. Gloucester can smear the guardians because a boy in a procession is not yet allowed to prefer his own memory of them over a protector's account.

Continue this thoughtThe People Who See and Still Stay

Coming Up in Chapter 10

At the stroke of four a messenger from Lord Stanley knocks at Hastings's door. Stanley cannot sleep. The message begins with a commendation and a warning Hastings has not heard yet. Hastings asks what Stanley wants at that hour.

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Chapter 09

Act III, Scene 1: Richard as Protector

Actus Tertius. Scoena Prima. The Trumpets sound. Enter yong Prince, the Dukes of Glocester, and Buckingham, Lord Cardinall, with others. Buc. Welcome sweete Prince to London, To your Chamber Rich. Welcome deere Cosin, my thoughts Soueraign The wearie way hath made you Melancholly Prin. No Vnkle, but our crosses on the way, Haue made it tedious, wearisome, and heauie. I want more Vnkles heere to welcome me Rich. Sweet Prince, the vntainted vertue of your yeers Hath not yet diu'd into the Worlds deceit: No more can you distinguish of a man, Then of his outward shew, which God he…

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Act III, Scene 1: Richard as Protector

Summary

Why This Matters