Summary
Act II, Scene 3: The Citizens' Fears
Richard III by William Shakespeare
Three citizens meet on a London street, discussing King Edward's death with foreboding. One tries to remain optimistic—'By God's good grace, his son shall reign'—but the others sense danger. 'Woe to that land that's governed by a child,' warns the third citizen. They debate the young king's protectors. One notes he has uncles on both sides to guide him, but the third citizen ominously replies: 'Better it were they all came by his father, or by his father there were none at all. For emulation, who shall now be nearest, will touch us all too near, if God prevent not. O full of danger is the Duke of Gloucester, and the Queen's sons and brothers, haught and proud.' He delivers prophetic warnings through folk wisdom: 'When clouds are seen, wise men put on their cloaks; when great leaves fall, then winter is at hand; when the sun sets, who doth not look for night? Untimely storms makes men expect a dearth. All may be well; but if God sort it so, 'tis more than we deserve, or I expect.' The second citizen agrees: 'Truly, the hearts of men are full of fear. You cannot reason (almost) with a man that looks not heavily and full of dread.' The third observes that before times of change, 'by a divine instinct, men's minds mistrust pursuing danger: as by proof we see the water swell before a boisterous storm.' They have no specific knowledge of Richard's plots, yet their instincts warn them of approaching catastrophe. This brief scene shows how manipulation at the top creates a climate of fear that spreads throughout society—even those outside the court sense the coming storm.
Coming Up in Chapter 8
As the citizens worry, the queen prepares to flee with her younger son, recognizing the danger.
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An excerpt from the original text.(~285 words)
Neighbours, well met. Whither away so fast? Three citizens meet on a London street, discussing King Edward's death with foreboding. One tries to remain optimistic—'By God's good grace, his son shall reign'—but the others sense danger. 'Woe to that land that's governed by a child,' warns the third citizen. They debate the young king's protectors. One notes he has uncles on both sides to guide him, but the third citizen ominously replies: 'Better it were they all came by his father, or by his father there were none at all. For emulation, who shall now be nearest, will touch us all too near, if God prevent not. O full of danger is the Duke of Gloucester, and the Queen's sons and brothers, haught and proud.' He delivers prophetic warnings through folk wisdom: 'When clouds are seen, wise men put on their cloaks; when great leaves fall, then winter is at hand; when the sun sets, who doth not look for night? Untimely storms makes men expect a dearth. All may be well; but if God sort it so, 'tis more than we deserve, or I expect.' The second citizen agrees: 'Truly, the hearts of men are full of fear. You cannot reason (almost) with a man that looks not heavily and full of dread.' The third observes that before times of change, 'by a divine instinct, men's minds mistrust pursuing danger: as by proof we see the water swell before a boisterous storm.' They have no specific knowledge of Richard's plots, yet their instincts warn them of approaching catastrophe. This brief scene shows how manipulation at the top creates a climate of fear that spreads throughout society—even those outside the court sense the coming storm.
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Intelligence Amplifier™ Analysis
The Road of Public Fear
Manipulation at the top creates fear and uncertainty throughout the system
Why This Matters
Connect literature to life
Manipulation at leadership levels affects everyone in the system.
Practice This Today
Watch for how leadership manipulation creates uncertainty throughout an organization
Now let's explore the literary elements.
Terms to Know
Ripple Effect
How manipulation at the top creates fear and uncertainty throughout the system
Modern Usage:
Like how leadership manipulation affects everyone in an organization, even those not directly involved
Characters in This Chapter
The Citizens
Common people discussing the political situation
They represent how manipulation affects everyone, not just those directly involved. They feel the uncertainty but lack power to act.
Modern Equivalent:
Employees who feel the effects of leadership manipulation but lack information or power to respond
Key Quotes & Analysis
"Neighbours, well met. Whither away so fast?"
Context: Citizens meeting and discussing the political situation
The citizens are gathering to discuss their fears, showing how manipulation creates uncertainty that spreads throughout society.
In Today's Words:
Neighbors, where are you going in such a hurry?
Thematic Threads
Consequences
In This Chapter
Richard's actions affect everyone
Development
The manipulation spreads beyond the immediate targets
You now have the context. Time to form your own thoughts.
Discussion Questions
- 1
How does Richard's manipulation affect the common people?
analysis • medium
Critical Thinking Exercise
The Ripple Effect
Think about how manipulation at the top affects everyone below.
Consider:
- •How does leadership behavior affect the entire organization?
- •What are the signs of systemic manipulation?
Coming Up Next...
Chapter 8: Act II, Scene 4: The Queen's Flight
What lies ahead teaches us people flee when they sense danger, and shows us trusting intuition. These patterns appear in literature and life alike.