Summary
Act III, Scene 2: Hastings' Warning
Richard III by William Shakespeare
At 4 AM, a messenger from Stanley pounds on Hastings's door with an urgent warning: Stanley dreamed 'the Boar had rased off his helmet' (Richard's heraldic symbol is a boar). Stanley warns of 'two councils kept' and begs Hastings to flee north immediately. Hastings dismisses it completely, calling Stanley's fears 'shallow' and his dreams 'the mockery of unquiet slumbers.' He's confident because his 'good friend Catesby' is at the other council—not knowing Catesby is Richard's spy. Catesby arrives and tests Hastings's loyalty, suggesting Richard should wear the crown. Hastings declares he'd rather have his head cut from his shoulders than see Richard take the throne—unknowingly signing his death warrant with this answer. Catesby responds ominously: ''Tis a vile thing to die, my gracious lord, when men are unprepared and look not for it.' Hastings doesn't hear the warning. He boasts that 'some men think themselves as safe as thou and I, who are dear to princely Richard.' Catesby mutters an aside the audience hears: 'The princes both make high account of you, for they account his head upon the bridge.' Stanley arrives in person, warning again. Hastings jokes about Stanley's 'boar-spear.' He reaches peak confidence: 'My lord, I hold my life as dear as yours, and never in my days was it so precious to me as 'tis now.' Stanley delivers his prophetic warning: 'The lords at Pomfret, when they rode from London, were jocund and supposed their states were sure... but yet you see how soon the day o'ercast.' Hastings celebrates that his enemies—the Queen's allies—are being executed today, feeling vindicated and secure. He meets Buckingham, who asks if he's going to the Tower. 'I stay dinner there,' Hastings says cheerfully. Buckingham's aside, which the audience hears: 'And supper too, although thou knowest it not.' Hastings has been warned five times—by prophetic dream, by loyal friend, by the pattern of executions, by Catesby's test, by ominous asides—and dismissed every warning. His confidence, based on past friendship with Richard, blinds him completely to present danger.
Coming Up in Chapter 11
Hastings' misplaced trust proves fatal as Richard turns against him in the council meeting, executing him without trial.
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An excerpt from the original text.(~500 words)
My lord, I hold my life as dear as you do yours, And never in my days, I do protest, Was it so precious to me as 'tis now. Think you, but that I know our state secure, I would be so triumphant as I am? STANLEY. The lords at Pomfret, when they rode from London, Were jocund and suppos'd their state was sure, And they indeed had no cause to mistrust; But yet you see how soon the day o'ercast. This sudden stab of rancour I misdoubt: Pray God, I say, I prove a needless coward! What, shall we toward the Tower? the day is spent. HASTINGS. Come, come, have with you. Wot you what, my lord? Today the lords you talk of are beheaded. STANLEY. They, for their truth, might better have been there Than we, I think, if we should come in danger. HASTINGS. You jest, my lord: the duke's son and his brother Are both fled unto the sanctuary. MESSENGER. My lord, I come from Stanley; he desires To know your pleasure touching Richmond's coming. HASTINGS. I go to the Tower, and I'll return straight: But stay, what means this armed guard? At 4 AM, a messenger from Stanley pounds on Hastings's door with an urgent warning: Stanley dreamed 'the Boar had rased off his helmet' (Richard's heraldic symbol is a boar). Stanley warns of 'two councils kept' and begs Hastings to flee north immediately. Hastings dismisses it completely, calling Stanley's fears 'shallow' and his dreams 'the mockery of unquiet slumbers.' He's confident because his 'good friend Catesby' is at the other council—not knowing Catesby is Richard's spy. Catesby arrives and tests Hastings's loyalty, suggesting Richard should wear the crown. Hastings declares he'd rather have his head cut from his shoulders than see Richard take the throne—unknowingly signing his death warrant with this answer. Catesby responds ominously: ''Tis a vile thing to die, my gracious lord, when men are unprepared and look not for it.' Hastings doesn't hear the warning. He boasts that 'some men think themselves as safe as thou and I, who are dear to princely Richard.' Catesby mutters an aside the audience hears: 'The princes both make high account of you, for they account his head upon the bridge.' Stanley arrives in person, warning again. Hastings jokes about Stanley's 'boar-spear.' He reaches peak confidence: 'My lord, I hold my life as dear as yours, and never in my days was it so precious to me as 'tis now.' Stanley delivers his prophetic warning: 'The lords at Pomfret, when they rode from London, were jocund and supposed their states were sure... but yet you see how soon the day o'ercast.' Hastings celebrates that his enemies—the Queen's allies—are being executed today, feeling vindicated and secure. He meets Buckingham, who asks if he's going to the Tower. 'I stay dinner there,' Hastings says cheerfully. Buckingham's aside, which the audience hears: 'And supper too, although thou knowest it not.' Hastings has been warned five times—by prophetic dream,...
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Intelligence Amplifier™ Analysis
The Road of Misplaced Trust
Believing past relationships will protect you from present manipulation, creating false security that manipulators exploit
Why This Matters
Connect literature to life
Past relationships don't protect you from present manipulation. When someone shows they're willing to manipulate, believe them, regardless of history.
Practice This Today
When someone shows manipulative behavior, don't assume past relationship will protect you. Trust actions, not history.
Now let's explore the literary elements.
Terms to Know
Dramatic Irony
A literary device where the audience knows more about the situation than the characters do, creating tension and emotional impact
Modern Usage:
Like watching a horror movie where you know the killer is behind the door, but the character doesn't
Sanctuary
A sacred place offering protection from arrest; in medieval England, churches and abbeys could provide legal sanctuary
Modern Usage:
Like seeking protection or refuge from danger, similar to political asylum today
Misplaced Trust
Trusting someone based on past relationship or assumptions rather than current behavior and evidence
Modern Usage:
Believing someone won't hurt you because they never have before, ignoring warning signs
Characters in This Chapter
Lord Hastings
Lord Chamberlain, loyal supporter of Edward IV, friend of Richard
Hastings represents the tragic figure who trusts past relationships over present evidence. His loyalty to Richard and belief in their friendship blinds him to the danger. He's an intelligent, experienced man who should know better, making his blindness more poignant.
Modern Equivalent:
A senior executive who trusts a manipulative colleague because they've worked together for years, ignoring warnings from others
Lord Stanley
Nobleman, stepfather to Richmond, cautious and perceptive
Stanley represents the voice of caution and reason. He sees the danger that Hastings ignores, warning him about the pattern of executions. Stanley's caution will later save him, while Hastings's trust will destroy him.
Modern Equivalent:
A colleague who sees the manipulation and tries to warn others, but is ignored
Key Quotes & Analysis
"My lord, I hold my life as dear as you do yours, And never in my days, I do protest, Was it so precious to me as 'tis now."
Context: Hastings responding to Stanley's warning, expressing confidence in his safety
Hastings's confidence is tragically misplaced. He believes his life is secure because of his relationship with Richard, but this very confidence will be his undoing. The line shows how trust can blind even intelligent people.
In Today's Words:
I value my life as much as you do yours, and I've never felt it was more secure than it is right now
"The lords at Pomfret, when they rode from London, Were jocund and suppos'd their state was sure, And they indeed had no cause to mistrust; But yet you see how soon the day o'ercast."
Context: Stanley warning Hastings by pointing to the recent executions
Stanley uses the recent executions as a warning, showing that those who felt secure were wrong. This is dramatic irony - Stanley is warning Hastings about the exact fate that awaits him.
In Today's Words:
Those lords who were executed thought they were safe too, but look what happened to them
"You jest, my lord: the duke's son and his brother Are both fled unto the sanctuary."
Context: Hastings dismissing Stanley's concerns, showing his complete blindness
Hastings's dismissal of the warning shows his dangerous overconfidence. He can't see that others fleeing to sanctuary is actually a sign of danger, not security.
In Today's Words:
You're joking - the young princes have fled to sanctuary for protection
Thematic Threads
Betrayal
In This Chapter
Trust is betrayed
Development
Past relationships mean nothing to Richard
You now have the context. Time to form your own thoughts.
Discussion Questions
- 1
Why does Hastings ignore Stanley's warnings? What psychological mechanisms allow him to dismiss clear evidence of danger?
analysis • deep - 2
How does dramatic irony function in this scene? How does knowing Richard's plans affect our experience of Hastings's blindness?
analysis • medium - 3
Have you ever ignored warnings about someone because of a past relationship? What happened?
application • surface - 4
What's the difference between healthy trust and misplaced trust? How can you tell the difference?
reflection • medium
Critical Thinking Exercise
The Trust Trap Analysis
Hastings trusts Richard because of their past relationship, ignoring multiple warnings. Think of a time when you or someone you know trusted someone because of past relationship, only to be betrayed. Analyze what made the trust misplaced and what warning signs were ignored.
Consider:
- •When should past relationships protect you? When should they not?
- •How do you distinguish between healthy trust and dangerous blind spots?
- •What warning signs did Hastings ignore? What warning signs do people typically ignore?
- •How can you maintain trust while staying alert to manipulation?
- •What's the difference between being cautious and being paranoid?
Journaling Prompt
Write about a time when you trusted someone because of past relationship, only to discover they had changed or were manipulating you. What warning signs did you ignore? How can you balance trust with awareness?
Coming Up Next...
Chapter 11: Act III, Scene 3: Hastings' Execution
As the story unfolds, you'll explore quickly allies become enemies when they're no longer useful, while uncovering execution without trial is a sign of absolute tyranny. These lessons connect the classic to contemporary challenges we all face.