Summary
Act V, Scene 3 (cont.): Conscience Is a Word Cowards Use
Richard III by William Shakespeare
Morning. The clock strikes. Richard asks: 'Who saw the sun today?' No one. 'Then he disdains to shine... a black day will it be to somebody.' 'The sun will not be seen today, the sky doth frown and lour upon our army.' But Richard dismisses it: 'Not shine today? Why, what is that to me more than to Richmond? For the selfsame heaven that frowns on me, looks sadly upon him.' Norfolk brings a warning note found on his tent: 'Jockey of Norfolk, be not so bold, for Dickon thy master is bought and sold.' Richard: 'A thing devised by the enemy.' Then his most revealing speech: 'Let not our babbling dreams affright our souls. Conscience is a word that cowards use, devised at first to keep the strong in awe. Our strong arms be our conscience, swords our law. March on, join bravely, let us to't pell mell. If not to heaven, then hand in hand to hell.' His oration to troops: Calls Richmond's army 'vagabonds, rascals, and runaways... a scum of Brittaines, and base lackey peasants.' Calls Richmond 'a paltry fellow... a milksop, one that never in his life felt so much cold as over shoes in snow.' 'Let's whip these stragglers o'er the seas again.' Stanley's messenger arrives: 'My lord, he doth deny to come.' Richard: 'Off with his son George's head.' Norfolk: 'The enemy is past the marsh. After the battle, let George Stanley die.' Richard: 'A thousand hearts are great within my bosom. Advance our standards, set upon our foes.' Richard has decided: conscience is irrelevant, only power matters. 'If not to heaven, then hand in hand to hell.' He's fully committed now. No hesitation, no guilt, no conscience—only the sword. This is Richard at his most honest and most dangerous: he's chosen hell knowingly.
Coming Up in Chapter 23
The night before battle, both leaders prepare for the final confrontation, and Richard faces his conscience.
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An excerpt from the original text.(~405 words)
Fellows in arms, and my most loving friends, Bruised underneath the yoke of tyranny, We have endured the insolence of office, And the spurns that patient merit of the unworthy takes. But now, in the name of God and all the saints, Let us resolve to win, or die with honour. In God's name, let's on! And in his name, I charge you, as you hope to live in peace hereafter, That you be not too hasty in your slaughter. For I intend to make this land a paradise, Where every man may live in peace and plenty, Free from the tyranny of Richard's rule. Morning. The clock strikes. Richard asks: 'Who saw the sun today?' No one. 'Then he disdains to shine... a black day will it be to somebody.' 'The sun will not be seen today, the sky doth frown and lour upon our army.' But Richard dismisses it: 'Not shine today? Why, what is that to me more than to Richmond? For the selfsame heaven that frowns on me, looks sadly upon him.' Norfolk brings a warning note found on his tent: 'Jockey of Norfolk, be not so bold, for Dickon thy master is bought and sold.' Richard: 'A thing devised by the enemy.' Then his most revealing speech: 'Let not our babbling dreams affright our souls. Conscience is a word that cowards use, devised at first to keep the strong in awe. Our strong arms be our conscience, swords our law. March on, join bravely, let us to't pell mell. If not to heaven, then hand in hand to hell.' His oration to troops: Calls Richmond's army 'vagabonds, rascals, and runaways... a scum of Brittaines, and base lackey peasants.' Calls Richmond 'a paltry fellow... a milksop, one that never in his life felt so much cold as over shoes in snow.' 'Let's whip these stragglers o'er the seas again.' Stanley's messenger arrives: 'My lord, he doth deny to come.' Richard: 'Off with his son George's head.' Norfolk: 'The enemy is past the marsh. After the battle, let George Stanley die.' Richard: 'A thousand hearts are great within my bosom. Advance our standards, set upon our foes.' Richard has decided: conscience is irrelevant, only power matters. 'If not to heaven, then hand in hand to hell.' He's fully committed now. No hesitation, no guilt, no conscience—only the sword. This is Richard at his most honest and most dangerous: he's chosen hell knowingly.
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Intelligence Amplifier™ Analysis
The Road of Legitimate Leadership
Leading through vision and inspiration rather than manipulation and fear, based on legitimate authority and moral standing
Why This Matters
Connect literature to life
Legitimate leaders inspire through vision; manipulators control through fear. This skill helps you distinguish between them.
Practice This Today
Watch for leaders who inspire versus those who manipulate. Vision and inspiration are signs of legitimate leadership.
Now let's explore the literary elements.
Terms to Know
Legitimate Leadership
Leadership based on inspiration, vision, and legitimate authority, rather than manipulation and fear
Modern Usage:
Like a leader who inspires through vision rather than controlling through manipulation
Inspiration Model
Leading through vision and inspiration rather than manipulation and fear
Modern Usage:
Like a leader who motivates through hope and vision rather than fear and control
Characters in This Chapter
Richmond
Legitimate challenger and leader
Richmond represents legitimate leadership - he inspires through vision rather than controlling through manipulation. He contrasts with Richard's tyranny.
Modern Equivalent:
A leader who inspires through vision and legitimate authority rather than manipulation
Key Quotes & Analysis
"Fellows in arms, and my most loving friends, Bruised underneath the yoke of tyranny,"
Context: Richmond addressing his troops
Richmond speaks to his troops as equals and friends, not subjects. He recognizes their suffering under tyranny and inspires them with a vision of freedom.
In Today's Words:
My friends and allies, you have suffered under tyranny
"I intend to make this land a paradise, Where every man may live in peace and plenty, Free from the tyranny of Richard's rule."
Context: Richmond's vision for the future
Richmond inspires with a vision of peace and justice, contrasting with Richard's manipulation. Legitimate leaders inspire through vision.
In Today's Words:
I will create a better future where everyone can live in peace and freedom
Thematic Threads
Leadership
In This Chapter
Legitimate leadership emerges
Development
Vision replaces manipulation
In Your Life:
Recognize the difference between leaders who inspire and those who manipulate
Hope
In This Chapter
Richmond offers a vision of peace
Development
Legitimate leaders inspire through vision
In Your Life:
Legitimate leaders inspire through hope and vision, not fear and manipulation
You now have the context. Time to form your own thoughts.
Discussion Questions
- 1
How does Richmond's leadership differ from Richard's? What makes it legitimate?
analysis • medium
Critical Thinking Exercise
The Leadership Comparison
Compare legitimate leadership with manipulative leadership.
Consider:
- •What distinguishes legitimate leaders?
- •How do they differ from manipulators?
Coming Up Next...
Chapter 23: Act V, Scenes 4-5: A Horse, A Horse! & Richmond's Victory
What lies ahead teaches us conscience appears, and shows us guilt haunts manipulators. These patterns appear in literature and life alike.