Now tell me, brother Clarence, what think you
Of this new marriage with the Lady Grey?
Hath not our brother made a worthy choice?
Now tell me, brother Clarence, what do you think of this new marriage to Lady Grey? Hasn't our brother made a good choice?
So, Clarence, what's your take on this new marriage to Lady Grey? You think our brother made a solid choice?
brother clarence what do u think of this lady grey marriage? our brother chose well right?
Alas, you know ’tis far from hence to France!
How could he stay till Warwick made return?
Listen, you know it's a long way from here to France! How could he wait until Warwick came back?
Come on, France is miles away! How was he supposed to wait for Warwick to come back?
france is so far away how was he gonna wait for warwick
My lords, forbear this talk; here comes the King.
My lords, stop this talk; the King is coming.
Gentlemen, drop it—the King's coming.
stop talking king's here
Pembroke, Stafford, Hastings and others. Four stand on one side, and
four on the other.
Pembroke, Stafford, Hastings and others enter. Four of them stand on one side of the stage and four stand on the other side.
Pembroke, Stafford, Hastings and the others come in. They split into two groups facing each other, four on each side.
pembroke & stafford enter four on each side
And his well-chosen bride.
And she is a bride he chose very well.
And she's a great choice for a bride.
and his bride is perfect
I mind to tell him plainly what I think.
I intend to tell him plainly what I think.
I'm going to tell him straight up what I think.
gonna tell him exactly what i think
Now, brother of Clarence, how like you our choice,
That you stand pensive as half malcontent?
Now, brother Clarence, how do you like our choice, since you stand here looking thoughtful and somewhat unhappy?
So, Clarence, what do you think of our choice? You're standing around looking pretty moody about it.
clarence what do u think u look kinda mad about this
As well as Lewis of France or the Earl of Warwick,
Which are so weak of courage and in judgment
That they’ll take no offence at our abuse.
About as well as Lewis of France or the Earl of Warwick, who are so lacking in courage and judgment that they won't object to our mistreatment.
About as well as Lewis of France or the Earl of Warwick—they're such cowards and poor judges they won't even fight back against our disrespect.
lewis and warwick are too weak to even complain about what we're doing
Suppose they take offence without a cause,
They are but Lewis and Warwick; I am Edward,
Your King and Warwick’s, and must have my will.
Suppose they take offense without reason, they're only Lewis and Warwick; I am Edward, your King and Warwick's king, and I must have my way.
Even if they do get offended for no good reason—so what? They're just Lewis and Warwick; I'm Edward, I'm your King and Warwick's King, and I'll do what I want.
even if they're upset they're just lewis and warwick i'm edward—your king i do what i want
And shall have your will, because our King.
Yet hasty marriage seldom proveth well.
And you'll have your way, because you're our King. Yet marriages done in haste seldom turn out well.
You'll get what you want, since you're the King. But rushing into marriage usually doesn't end well.
u'll get ur way king but rushed marriages dont work out
Yea, brother Richard, are you offended too?
Yes, brother Richard, are you upset too?
So, Richard, you upset about this as well?
ur mad too richard?
Richard Neville, Earl of Warwick, was the most powerful English nobleman of the fifteenth century — nicknamed 'the Kingmaker' because he had put both Henry VI and Edward IV on their thrones. The historical Warwick maintained an almost royal household, reportedly feeding six hundred retainers daily at his various manors. When Edward married Elizabeth Woodville in secret, Warwick was mid-negotiation in France, personally vouching for Edward's availability to Princess Bona. The humiliation was extraordinary — a kingmaker made to look like a fool.
Shakespeare captures this exquisitely in 4-1: Warwick's fury arrives via a messenger, which is almost worse than a direct confrontation. Edward responds by bragging about his royal will. What makes this dramatically interesting is that both men are right: Edward is right that a king shouldn't be dictated to by a subject, even a powerful one. Warwick is right that alliance with France would have strengthened England. The problem is that Edward exercises his royal prerogative in the pettiest possible way — not on some great matter of state, but because he fell for a widow.
Not I.
No, God forbid that I should wish them severed
Whom God hath joined together. Ay, and ’twere pity
To sunder them that yoke so well together.
Not me. No, God forbid that I would wish to separate those whom God has joined together. Yes, and it would be a shame to separate those who fit together so well.
Not me. God forbid I'd want to split up people God brought together. It would be a shame to separate two people who work so well as a pair.
nah not me god put them together it'd be wrong to split them up
Setting your scorns and your mislike aside,
Tell me some reason why the Lady Grey
Should not become my wife and England’s queen.
And you too, Somerset and Montague,
Speak freely what you think.
Setting aside your mockery and your disapproval, tell me some reason why Lady Grey shouldn't become my wife and England's queen. And you too, Somerset and Montague, speak freely what you think.
Look, forget the sarcasm and the disapproval for a second. Give me one good reason why Lady Grey shouldn't be my wife and Queen of England. Somerset, Montague, same goes for you—speak your minds.
ignore ur sarcasm give me one reason lady grey shouldn't be queen somerset montague—speak up
Then this is mine opinion: that King Lewis
Becomes your enemy for mocking him
About the marriage of the Lady Bona.
Then this is my opinion: that King Lewis becomes your enemy because you're mocking him about the marriage to Lady Bona.
Here's what I think: King Lewis is becoming your enemy because you're making fun of him over the Lady Bona marriage deal.
lewis will be ur enemy bc u're mocking him about lady bona
And Warwick, doing what you gave in charge,
Is now dishonoured by this new marriage.
And Warwick, doing what you ordered him to do, is now dishonored by this new marriage.
And Warwick—he was just following your orders—now he's been shamed by this marriage of yours.
warwick did what u told him now he's shamed by ur marriage
What if both Lewis and Warwick be appeased
By such invention as I can devise?
What if both Lewis and Warwick can be satisfied by some trick or plan that I can come up with?
What if I can come up with some scheme that keeps both Lewis and Warwick happy?
what if i can trick lewis and warwick into being cool with it
Yet to have joined with France in such alliance
Would more have strengthened this our commonwealth
’Gainst foreign storms than any home-bred marriage.
Yet to have joined with France in such an alliance would have strengthened our country much more against foreign threats than any marriage within our own country would.
But joining up with France through that alliance would've made our country a lot stronger against outside threats than this marriage to a home-grown lady would.
a france alliance woulda made us stronger this marriage doesn't help us against outsiders
Why, knows not Montague that of itself
England is safe, if true within itself?
Why, doesn't Montague know that England is safe by itself if it stays true and united within itself?
Doesn't Montague know that England is plenty safe on its own, as long as it stays united?
england is safe on its own if we stay united
But the safer when ’tis backed with France.
But it's safer when it's backed up by France.
But we're safer when France has our back.
safer with france tho
’Tis better using France than trusting France.
Let us be backed with God and with the seas
Which He hath giv’n for fence impregnable,
And with their helps only defend ourselves.
In them and in ourselves our safety lies.
It's better to use France than to trust France. Let us rely on God and on the seas, which He has given us as an impregnable barrier, and with their help only defend ourselves. Our safety lies in them and in ourselves.
It's better to use France than depend on them. We should count on God and the seas—God's given us those as natural defenses—and just protect ourselves with those. Our safety is in God, the seas, and us.
use france dont trust them we got god and the seas protecting us we're safe with those and ourselves
For this one speech Lord Hastings well deserves
To have the heir of the Lord Hungerford.
With just that one speech, Lord Hastings has earned the right to marry Lord Hungerford's heir.
For that speech alone, Hastings deserves to get the Hungerford heir.
hastings earned the hungerford heir with that speech
Ay, what of that? It was my will and grant;
And for this once my will shall stand for law.
Yes, what of it? It was my wish and my grant; and this one time my wish will stand as law.
So what? I wanted to give it to him, and I did. This time my word is law.
yeah so what i wanted that my word is law here
And yet, methinks, your Grace hath not done well
To give the heir and daughter of Lord Scales
Unto the brother of your loving bride.
She better would have fitted me or Clarence;
But in your bride you bury brotherhood.
And yet, I think, your Grace hasn't done well to give the heir and daughter of Lord Scales to your wife's brother. She would have suited me or Clarence better; but in your bride you're abandoning loyalty to your brothers.
But honestly, I don't think you made a good call giving the Scales girl to your wife's brother. She would've been better for me or Clarence. This marriage of yours is burying our brotherhood.
u shouldn't have given scales' girl to ur wife's brother she'd be better for me or clarence
Or else you would not have bestowed the heir
Of the Lord Bonville on your new wife’s son,
And leave your brothers to go speed elsewhere.
Or else you wouldn't have given the heir of Lord Bonville to your new wife's son and left your brothers to go seek their fortune elsewhere.
Plus, you wouldn't have given the Bonville heir to your wife's son and left us brothers scrambling to find something for ourselves.
u gave bonville's heir to ur wife's son left ur brothers with nothing
Alas, poor Clarence, is it for a wife
That thou art malcontent? I will provide thee.
Alas, poor Clarence, is it because of a wife that you're unhappy? I will provide for you.
Oh, Clarence, is it just about a wife that's got you upset? Don't worry, I'll take care of you.
clarence ur upset about a wife? i'll hook u up
Count how many words Richard speaks in this scene versus how much he reveals. He makes one joke about the marriage, then retreats into an aside: 'I hear, yet say not much, but think the more.' Then another aside clarifying he stays for the crown, not for Edward. Then one line of unconditional loyalty when directly asked.
This is Shakespeare's nascent Richard III in miniature. Every other character in this scene commits — George commits to defecting, Montague and Hastings commit to staying, Warwick commits to war. Richard commits to nothing except survival. The technique Shakespeare uses is the aside: a direct address to the audience that the other characters cannot hear. Richard is always one step ahead because he is always, in some sense, talking to us rather than to them. This privacy with the audience is what will make Richard III's opening soliloquy feel like an escalation of something we've been watching build for three plays.
In choosing for yourself you showed your judgment,
Which being shallow, you shall give me leave
To play the broker in mine own behalf;
And to that end I shortly mind to leave you.
In choosing for yourself you showed your judgment, which being shallow, you'll let me arrange my own affairs as I see fit; and to that end I plan to soon leave you.
Your choice of a wife shows your judgment, and frankly that's pretty poor, so you can't blame me for arranging my own marriage however I want. I'm planning to leave you soon.
ur marriage choice shows ur bad judgment so let me do my own thing i'm leaving soon
Leave me or tarry, Edward will be king,
And not be tied unto his brother’s will.
Leave me or stay, Edward will be king and won't be controlled by his brother's wishes.
Whether you stay or go, I'm going to be king and I'm not going to let my brothers tell me what to do.
u can leave or stay i'm king i do what i want not what u want
Elizabeth speaks with a careful, measured dignity that never tips into aggression — she is always aware she is outnumbered. Watch for how she uses the royal 'we' and deferential framing to claim authority she knows is contested.
My lords, before it pleased his Majesty
To raise my state to title of a queen,
Do me but right, and you must all confess
That I was not ignoble of descent,
And meaner than myself have had like fortune.
But as this title honours me and mine,
So your dislikes, to whom I would be pleasing,
Doth cloud my joys with danger and with sorrow.
My lords, before his Majesty was pleased to raise me to the title of queen, judge me fairly and you must all admit that I was not of dishonorable birth—others no better than me have had similar good fortune. But while this title honors me and my family, your disapproval, whom I would like to please, clouds my happiness with danger and sorrow.
My lords, before the King decided to make me queen, be fair about it—you all know I'm not some nobody from a low family. People worse off than me have gotten lucky before. Yes, this title honors me and mine, but your disapproval—and I really wish I had your approval—it's shadowing my happiness with worry and sadness.
i wasn't nobody before i was queen people worse off got lucky too but ur disapproval is ruining my happiness
My love, forbear to fawn upon their frowns.
What danger or what sorrow can befall thee
So long as Edward is thy constant friend
And their true sovereign, whom they must obey?
Nay, whom they shall obey, and love thee too,
Unless they seek for hatred at my hands;
Which if they do, yet will I keep thee safe,
And they shall feel the vengeance of my wrath.
My love, stop begging for their approval through their frowns. What danger or sorrow can come to you as long as Edward is your constant friend and their true sovereign, whom they must obey? No, whom they will obey, and love you too, unless they want hatred from me. If they do want that, I'll still keep you safe, and they'll feel the punishment of my anger.
My love, don't grovel for their forgiveness. What can go wrong as long as I'm here and I'm their King and they have to listen to me? Not only will they listen, they'll love you too—unless they want me to hate them. If they do, I'll still protect you and I'll make them pay for it.
don't beg for their approval i'm ur friend i'm king they gotta listen they'll love u too or face my anger
[_Aside_.] I hear, yet say not much, but think the more.
I listen, yet I say little, but I think even more.
I'm listening and not saying much, but I'm thinking a lot.
listening thinking more
Now, messenger, what letters or what news
From France?
Now, messenger, what letters or what news do you bring from France?
All right, messenger, what word from France? Any letters?
what's the news from france?
My sovereign liege, no letters, and few words,
But such as I, without your special pardon,
Dare not relate.
My sovereign lord, there are no letters and few words, but such as I, without your special permission, dare not tell.
Your Majesty, there's no letters, barely any words, and honestly, I don't dare tell you what I'm supposed to say without your permission first.
no letters sir i'm afraid to tell u without permission
Go to, we pardon thee. Therefore, in brief,
Tell me their words as near as thou canst guess them.
What answer makes King Lewis unto our letters?
Fine, we pardon you. So briefly, tell me their words as accurately as you can guess them. What answer does King Lewis give to our letters?
Okay, you're pardoned. So just tell me what they said, as close as you can remember. What did Lewis say back to us?
ok ur pardoned tell me what lewis said back
At my depart these were his very words:
“Go tell false Edward, thy supposed king,
That Lewis of France is sending over maskers
To revel it with him and his new bride.”
As I was leaving, these were his exact words: 'Tell that false Edward, your supposed king, that Lewis of France is sending over party guests to have a good time with him and his new bride.'
When I left, he said exactly this: 'Go tell that fake Edward—or whoever you claim is king—that Lewis of France is sending over some entertainers to party with him and his bride.'
lewis said tell false edward he's sending party people to revel with u and ur bride
Is Lewis so brave? Belike he thinks me Henry.
But what said Lady Bona to my marriage?
Is Lewis so bold? Perhaps he thinks I'm Henry. But what did Lady Bona say about my marriage?
Is Lewis being brave? Maybe he thinks I'm Henry. Anyway, what did Lady Bona say about all this?
lewis thinks i'm henry lol what'd lady bona say
These were her words, uttered with mild disdain:
“Tell him, in hope he’ll prove a widower shortly,
I’ll wear the willow garland for his sake.”
These were her words, spoken with quiet contempt: 'Tell him, hoping he'll be a widower soon, I'll wear the willow garland for his sake.'
She said this real cold: 'Tell him that I hope he becomes a widower soon, because I'll be wearing the willow garland for him—as a sign of mourning.'
lady bona said she hopes he becomes a widower she'll wear willow for him
I blame not her; she could say little less;
She had the wrong. But what said Henry’s queen?
For I have heard that she was there in place.
I don't blame her; she could have said little else; she was wronged. But what did Henry's queen say? For I've heard she was there.
I can't blame her for that—what else could she say? She got treated unfairly. Anyway, what did Henry's wife say? I heard she was actually there.
can't blame lady bona she got screwed what'd henry's queen say
“Tell him,” quoth she “my mourning weeds are done,
And I am ready to put armour on.”
'Tell him,' she said, 'my period of mourning is finished, and I am ready to put on armor.'
'Tell him,' she said, 'I'm done mourning and I'm ready to go to war.'
she said she's done mourning and ready for war
Lady Grey — soon to be Queen Elizabeth — enters this scene already having lost. She speaks once, calmly, and Edward immediately tells her not to bother with the men's scowls. She is never asked her opinion. She has done nothing wrong: she married a king who asked her. But the marriage itself is the problem, and no amount of dignity on her part will fix the political damage.
What's striking about Shakespeare's Elizabeth is how much she understands this. Her speech about having been a subject herself before becoming queen is an attempt to humanize her position, to find common ground with the men who resent her. It fails, but the attempt itself reveals a shrewd intelligence. Keep watching her: she will navigate the rest of the play with exactly this combination of dignity and strategic patience, and by 5-7 she is carrying the heir to the throne — the physical proof that her position cannot simply be wished away.
Belike she minds to play the Amazon.
But what said Warwick to these injuries?
Perhaps she intends to act like an Amazon warrior. But what did Warwick have to say about these insults?
Maybe she wants to be a warrior like the Amazons. Anyway, what did Warwick have to say about all this?
she's gonna be a warrior what'd warwick say about this
He, more incensed against your Majesty
Than all the rest, discharged me with these words:
“Tell him from me that he hath done me wrong,
And therefore I’ll uncrown him ere ’t be long.”
He, more angry at your Majesty than all the rest, sent me off with these words: 'Tell him from me that he has wronged me, and therefore I'll remove his crown soon.'
He was more furious with you than anyone else, and he told me to tell you: 'He's done me wrong, and I'm going to take his crown away before long.'
warwick's furious he said u wronged him he's gonna uncrown u
Ha! Durst the traitor breathe out so proud words?
Well, I will arm me, being thus forewarned.
They shall have wars and pay for their presumption.
But say, is Warwick friends with Margaret?
What! Did the traitor dare to speak such proud words? Well, I'll arm myself, now that I'm warned. They'll have war and will pay for their arrogance. But tell me, is Warwick friends with Margaret?
Wait, the traitor actually had the guts to say that? Fine, I'll get ready for war now that I see what's coming. They're going to regret thinking they can challenge me. But is Warwick on good terms with Margaret?
warwick dared to say that? i'm getting ready for war is he with margaret
Ay, gracious sovereign, they are so linked in friendship
That young Prince Edward marries Warwick’s daughter.
Yes, gracious sovereign, they are so connected in friendship that the young Prince Edward marries Warwick's daughter.
Yes, your Majesty, they're so close friends that young Prince Edward is marrying Warwick's daughter.
yeah they're so close young prince edward is marrying warwick's daughter
Belike the elder; Clarence will have the younger.
Now, brother king, farewell, and sit you fast,
For I will hence to Warwick’s other daughter;
That, though I want a kingdom, yet in marriage
I may not prove inferior to yourself.
You that love me and Warwick, follow me.
Probably the older one; Clarence will have the younger. Now, brother king, goodbye, and hold tight, for I'm going to Warwick's other daughter; so that, though I don't have a kingdom, in marriage I may not be worse off than you. You who love me and Warwick, follow me.
That's the older one; Clarence will take the younger. Well, goodbye, brother king, and good luck. I'm heading to Warwick's other daughter—so I can still have a good marriage even without a kingdom of my own. If you're with me and Warwick, come along.
clarence gets the younger one i'm going to warwick's other daughter so i'll have a good marriage too follow me
[_Aside_.] Not I. My thoughts aim at a further matter;
I stay not for the love of Edward, but the crown.
Not I. My thoughts aim at something greater; I stay not for love of Edward, but for the crown.
Not me. I'm thinking about bigger things; I'm not here because I love Edward, I'm here for the crown.
not me i want the crown not edward's love
Clarence and Somerset both gone to Warwick!
Yet am I armed against the worst can happen,
And haste is needful in this desperate case.
Pembroke and Stafford, you in our behalf
Go levy men and make prepare for war;
They are already, or quickly will be, landed.
Myself in person will straight follow you.
Clarence and Somerset have both defected to Warwick! But I'm prepared for the worst that can happen, and speed is necessary in this desperate situation. Pembroke and Stafford, you go on our behalf to raise soldiers and prepare for war; they are already, or will quickly be, landed. I myself will immediately follow you.
Clarence and Somerset have both defected to Warwick! But I'm ready for whatever comes, and we need to move fast in this crisis. Pembroke and Stafford, you two go raise an army and get ready for battle—they're already arriving or will be soon. I'll come right behind you.
clarence and somerset went to warwick i'm ready for this pembroke stafford go raise soldiers i'll follow u
But, ere I go, Hastings and Montague,
Resolve my doubt. You twain, of all the rest,
Are near to Warwick by blood and by alliance.
Tell me if you love Warwick more than me.
If it be so, then both depart to him.
I rather wish you foes than hollow friends.
But if you mind to hold your true obedience,
Give me assurance with some friendly vow,
That I may never have you in suspect.
But before I go, Hastings and Montague, settle this for me. You two of everyone here are closest to Warwick through blood and family connections. Tell me - do you love Warwick more than you love me? If so, then both go to him. I'd rather have you as my enemies than as false friends. But if you mean to stay truly loyal to me, swear an oath so that I can trust you and never suspect you.
But wait, before I leave - Hastings and Montague, I need to know something. You two are related to Warwick more than anyone else here. So tell me straight: do you care more about Warwick than about me? If you do, go join him then. I'd rather have enemies than fake friends. But if you're really going to stay loyal to me, swear it so I know I can trust you.
are you loyal to me or to warwick? swear an oath so i know i can trust you
So God help Montague as he proves true!
May God help Montague as he proves true and loyal.
God help me to the extent that I remain faithful and true to you.
god help me if i stay loyal thats my oath
And Hastings as he favours Edward’s cause!
And may God help Hastings as he supports Edward's cause!
And may God help me, Hastings, as I support Edward!
god help me if i don't help edward
Now, brother Richard, will you stand by us?
Now, brother Richard, will you stand with us?
So, Richard, are you with us?
richard u with us?
Ay, in despite of all that shall withstand you.
Yes, in spite of everyone who opposes you.
Yes, no matter who tries to stop you.
yeah no matter what
Why, so! Then am I sure of victory.
Now, therefore, let us hence, and lose no hour
Till we meet Warwick with his foreign power.
Why, then! Then I'm sure of victory. Now, therefore, let us go, and waste no time until we meet Warwick with his foreign forces.
Well then, I know I'll win. Let's go now and not waste a second until we're facing Warwick and his army.
ok we're gonna win let's go and meet warwick now
The Reckoning
Edward has won the crown but immediately squanders his political capital by marrying beneath his station — or rather, outside his diplomats' careful negotiations. His brothers barely bother to hide their contempt, and when the French messenger arrives with Warwick's furious words, the defections begin in real time. The audience watches a winning position dismantled by one man's stubbornness, while Richard quietly notes that he stays not for love but for the crown.
If this happened today…
A startup CEO, just having closed a huge Series B, announces he's hired his girlfriend as COO — bypassing the search firm, the board's preferred candidates, and the alliance with a major corporate partner who was expecting a seat at the table. The board chair (Warwick) had already pitched that partner on a merger. Now the partner's CEO is calling to say the deal is dead and they're funding the competition. Two co-founders post their resignation letters on LinkedIn before the meeting is over. One stays — but you notice him updating his resume under the table.