Summary
Act IV, Scene 2 (cont.): The Princes Murdered
Richard III by William Shakespeare
Buckingham exits to consider Richard's murder request. Richard seethes: 'High-reaching Buckingham grows circumspect.' When someone finally hesitates, Richard instantly turns. He asks his page for someone 'whom corrupting gold will tempt unto a close exploit of death.' The page names Tyrrell—'a discontented gentleman whose humble means match not his haughty spirit.' Richard hires him: 'I mean those bastards in the Tower.' Tyrrell agrees: 'Let me have open means to come to them, and soon I'll rid you from the fear of them.' Richard whispers instructions, promises rewards. Stanley reports Dorset has fled to Richmond. Richard immediately orders rumors spread that Anne is deathly ill—planning to murder his wife and marry his niece, Elizabeth. 'I must be married to my brother's daughter, or else my kingdom stands on brittle glass. Murder her brothers, and then marry her, uncertain way of gain. But I am in so far in blood, that sin will pluck on sin. Tear-falling pity dwells not in this eye.' Buckingham returns, having reconsidered. Richard ignores him. Buckingham requests his promised earldom. Richard dismisses him coldly: 'Thou troublest me, I am not in the vein.' Buckingham realizes his danger: 'Made I him king for this? O let me think on Hastings, and be gone.' He flees. Tyrrell returns with devastating news: 'The tyrannous and bloody act is done, the most arch deed of piteous massacre that ever yet this land was guilty of.' He describes the princes: 'Thus, thus, girdling one another within their alabaster innocent arms: their lips were four red roses on a stalk... a book of prayers on their pillow lay.' Even the hired killers wept. Richard confirms: 'Did'st thou see them dead?' Tyrrell: 'I did, my lord.' Richard catalogs his eliminations: 'The son of Clarence have I pent up close, his daughter meanly have I matched in marriage, the sons of Edward sleep in Abraham's bosom, and Anne my wife hath bid this world good night.' Now to woo Elizabeth. Ratcliffe brings news: Buckingham has rebelled. Richard prepares for war. The princes are dead. The final horror is complete.
Coming Up in Chapter 16
The women of the play gather to lament their losses, showing the human cost of Richard's manipulations.
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An excerpt from the original text.(~500 words)
las, why would you heap this care on me?
I am unfit for state and majesty:
I do beseech you, take it not amiss,
I cannot nor I will not yield to you.
BUCKINGHAM.
If you refuse it, as in love and zeal
Loath to depose the child, your brother's son,
As well we know your tenderness of heart
And gentle, kind, effeminate remorse,
Which we have noted in you to your kindred,
And equally indeed to all estates,
Yet know, whe'r you accept our suit or no,
Your brother's son shall never reign our king;
But we will plant some other in the throne,
To the disgrace and downfall of your house:
And in this resolution here we leave you.
Come, citizens: we will entreat no more.
RICHARD.
O, do not swear, my lord of Buckingham.
[Exit Buckingham with Citizens]
Catesby!
CATESBY.
My lord?
RICHARD.
Call them again. I am not made of stone,
But penetrable to your kind entreaties,
Albeit against my conscience and my soul.
Buckingham exits to consider Richard's murder request. Richard seethes: 'High-reaching Buckingham grows circumspect.' When someone finally hesitates, Richard instantly turns. He asks his page for someone 'whom corrupting gold will tempt unto a close exploit of death.' The page names Tyrrell—'a discontented gentleman whose humble means match not his haughty spirit.' Richard hires him: 'I mean those bastards in the Tower.' Tyrrell agrees: 'Let me have open means to come to them, and soon I'll rid you from the fear of them.' Richard whispers instructions, promises rewards. Stanley reports Dorset has fled to Richmond. Richard immediately orders rumors spread that Anne is deathly ill—planning to murder his wife and marry his niece, Elizabeth. 'I must be married to my brother's daughter, or else my kingdom stands on brittle glass. Murder her brothers, and then marry her, uncertain way of gain. But I am in so far in blood, that sin will pluck on sin. Tear-falling pity dwells not in this eye.' Buckingham returns, having reconsidered. Richard ignores him. Buckingham requests his promised earldom. Richard dismisses him coldly: 'Thou troublest me, I am not in the vein.' Buckingham realizes his danger: 'Made I him king for this? O let me think on Hastings, and be gone.' He flees. Tyrrell returns with devastating news: 'The tyrannous and bloody act is done, the most arch deed of piteous massacre that ever yet this land was guilty of.' He describes the princes: 'Thus, thus, girdling one another within their alabaster innocent arms: their lips were four red roses on a stalk... a book of prayers on their pillow lay.' Even the hired killers wept. Richard confirms: 'Did'st thou see them dead?' Tyrrell: 'I did, my lord.' Richard catalogs his eliminations: 'The son of Clarence have I pent up close, his daughter meanly have I matched in marriage, the sons of Edward sleep in Abraham's bosom, and Anne my wife hath bid this world good night.' Now to woo Elizabeth. Ratcliffe brings news: Buckingham has rebelled. Richard...
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Intelligence Amplifier™ Analysis
The Road of False Reluctance
Pretending reluctance or humility to make others give you what you actually want, using performance and staging to create the appearance of reluctant duty
Why This Matters
Connect literature to life
Some people use false modesty and reluctance as manipulation tools. This skill helps you distinguish between genuine humility and strategic performance.
Practice This Today
Watch for people who appear reluctant to take promotions or power. Examine their actions - do they match their words? Are they staging a performance? False modesty often reveals itself through contradictory behavior and elaborate staging.
Now let's explore the literary elements.
Terms to Know
False Modesty
Pretending to be humble or reluctant when you actually want something, used as a manipulation tactic
Modern Usage:
Like someone who says 'I don't want the promotion' while actively seeking it, or 'I'm not qualified' while positioning for the role
Reluctant Acceptance
Pretending to accept something only after others insist, making it seem like you're doing them a favor rather than getting what you want
Modern Usage:
Like accepting a promotion 'only because the team needs me,' when you've been positioning for it
Performance Manipulation
Using staging, props, and theatrical elements to create a false impression and manipulate others
Modern Usage:
Like appearing in a religious setting to seem pious, or staging a public appeal to seem reluctant
Characters in This Chapter
Lord Buckingham
Richard's ally who orchestrates the public appeal
Buckingham helps stage Richard's performance, showing how manipulators use allies to create false narratives. He'll later learn that no one is safe from Richard.
Modern Equivalent:
Someone who helps a manipulator stage their performance, thinking they're safe as an ally
The Bishops
Religious figures Richard positions around himself
Richard uses the bishops as props to create the appearance of piety. They're unwitting participants in his manipulation.
Modern Equivalent:
People used as props to create a false impression, often without realizing it
Key Quotes & Analysis
"Alas, why would you heap this care on me? I am unfit for state and majesty: I cannot nor I will not yield to you."
Context: Richard pretending reluctance to accept the crown
Richard's false modesty is his most sophisticated manipulation. He makes his greatest ambition appear like reluctant duty. The performance is so convincing that even those who suspect manipulation may doubt themselves.
In Today's Words:
Oh no, I'm not qualified for this. I can't and won't accept (while actively seeking it)
"I am not made of stone, But penetrable to your kind entreaties, Albeit against my conscience and my soul."
Context: Richard 'reluctantly' agreeing to accept the crown
Richard makes it seem like he's sacrificing himself for others, when he's actually getting exactly what he wants. The false sacrifice is the final touch of his manipulation.
In Today's Words:
I'll do it for you, even though it goes against my principles (while it's exactly what I want)
Thematic Threads
Manipulation
In This Chapter
False modesty becomes a weapon
Development
Reluctance masks ambition
In Your Life:
Watch for people who appear reluctant to take power - they often want it most. Examine their actions, not just their words.
Performance
In This Chapter
Richard stages an elaborate performance
Development
Theater becomes manipulation
In Your Life:
When someone stages a performance - props, staging, orchestrated events - examine whether it's genuine or manipulation
You now have the context. Time to form your own thoughts.
Discussion Questions
- 1
Why does Richard pretend to be reluctant? How does this performance help him achieve his goal?
analysis • deep - 2
How can you tell the difference between genuine humility and false modesty? What are the signs?
reflection • medium - 3
Have you witnessed false modesty? How did someone appear reluctant while actually being eager?
application • surface
Critical Thinking Exercise
The Modesty Analysis
Richard appears reluctant to take power, but it's all performance. Think of someone who appeared reluctant but was actually eager.
Consider:
- •What's the difference between genuine humility and false modesty?
- •How do actions reveal true intentions when words say otherwise?
- •What are the signs of false reluctance?
- •How can you recognize when someone is staging a performance?
Journaling Prompt
Write about a time when someone appeared reluctant but was actually eager. What gave them away? How did their actions contradict their words?
Coming Up Next...
Chapter 16: Act IV, Scene 3: The Mothers' Curses
The women of the play gather to lament their losses, showing the human cost of Richard's manipulations.
