Act 3, Scene 2 — Richard III — Study Shakespeare

The argument Lord Hastings' last morning. It begins at four o'clock with Stanley's messenger pounding on his door: Stanley dreamt the boar (Richard's heraldic emblem) razed his helmet, and he wants them both to flee north immediately. Hastings laughs it off. Then Catesby arrives on his reconnaissance mission — and Hastings walks straight into the trap. He announces he'd rather lose his head than see Richard crowned, but then celebrates the news that his enemies Rivers and Grey die today at Pomfret. He doesn't see the connection. Catesby drops one quiet aside to the audience: Richard and Buckingham 'account his head upon the Bridge.' Stanley arrives with a second warning. Hastings brushes it aside again. He then stops to chat with a street official named Pursuivant — the very spot where he was once arrested on the Queen's order — and boasts about how far his fortune has turned. He tips the man handsomely. He meets his priest and makes an appointment for Sunday. Buckingham passes, remarks that Hastings doesn't need a priest — his friends at Pomfret need one, not him — and Hastings misses the grim irony entirely. Buckingham's last aside: 'And supper too, although thou knowest it not.' They walk together toward the Tower.

Enter a Messenger to the door of Hastings.

MESSENGER Urgent alarm. The messenger is pounding at the door before dawn with urgent warning.

My lord, my lord!

My lord! Wake up!

my lord my lord wake up

Why it matters The urgent knocking sets the scene's tempo—this is a warning delivered in haste, before dawn.

[_Knocking._]

[_Within_.] Who knocks?

MESSENGER [identifying his master]

One from the Lord Stanley.

It's from Lord Stanley.

from stanley

[_Within_.] What is’t o’clock?

MESSENGER [specifying the time of the dream]

Upon the stroke of four.

At four o'clock, exactly.

at four o'clock

Enter Hastings.

HASTINGS [genuinely puzzled—why would Stanley be losing sleep?]

Cannot my Lord Stanley sleep these tedious nights?

Is Lord Stanley having trouble sleeping these past nights?

Is Stanley up all night? What's going on?

stanley can't sleep? what's wrong?

MESSENGER ≋ verse [beginning to convey Stanley's message formally]

So it appears by that I have to say.

First, he commends him to your noble self.

That appears to be the case, based on what I have to tell you. First, he sends his respects to your noble self.

Yeah, looks that way. Here's what he wanted me to tell you. He says to give you his regards first.

yeah he sends his respects

HASTINGS [impatient to hear the rest]

What then?

And then?

And what else?

and?

MESSENGER ≋ verse [urgently delivering Stanley's premonition]

Then certifies your lordship that this night

He dreamt the boar had razed off his helm.

Besides, he says there are two councils kept,

And that may be determined at the one

Which may make you and him to rue at th’ other.

Therefore he sends to know your lordship’s pleasure,

If you will presently take horse with him

And with all speed post with him toward the north,

To shun the danger that his soul divines.

He tells your lordship that last night he dreamed the boar had slashed off his helmet. Also, he says there are two councils meeting, and what's decided in one of them may cause both you and him to regret what happens in the other. Therefore, he's sending to ask what you want to do: will you immediately get on horseback with him and ride north with all speed to escape the danger that his soul divines?

He had a bad dream last night—the boar tore off his helmet. He's saying there are two councils happening, and whatever they decide at one could ruin both of you at the other. He's asking if you'll get on a horse right now and ride north with him as fast as you can to get away from whatever's coming.

last night he dreamed the boar tore off his helmet two councils—danger he wants you to ride north with him right now

HASTINGS ≋ verse [confident, dismissive, explaining why Stanley's fears are baseless]

Go, fellow, go. Return unto thy lord;

Bid him not fear the separated council.

His honour and myself are at the one,

And at the other is my good friend Catesby,

Where nothing can proceed that toucheth us

Whereof I shall not have intelligence.

Tell him his fears are shallow, without instance.

And for his dreams, I wonder he’s so simple

To trust the mockery of unquiet slumbers.

To fly the boar before the boar pursues

Were to incense the boar to follow us,

And make pursuit where he did mean no chase.

Go, bid thy master rise and come to me,

And we will both together to the Tower,

Where he shall see the boar will use us kindly.

Go, fellow, go. Tell your lord not to fear the council we're not sitting in. My honor and I are in one council, and my good friend Catesby sits in the other. Nothing can happen there that touches us without my knowing about it. Tell him his fears are shallow and groundless. As for his dreams—I'm amazed he's simple enough to trust the false visions of a restless night. To flee the boar before the boar is hunting would only provoke him to chase us, turning what was no threat into real pursuit. Go, tell your master to get up and come to me. We'll both go to the Tower together, and he'll see that the boar will treat us kindly.

Go on, go tell him. Tell him not to worry about the council he's not sitting in. I'm in one council, and my buddy Catesby is in the other one, so nothing bad's going to happen without me knowing. Tell him he's being paranoid—his fears don't even make sense. And these dreams? Come on. He's gullible if he actually believes a bad dream means anything. If we run from the boar when the boar isn't even chasing us, we'll just piss him off and give him a reason to hunt us. Tell him to get up and come here. We'll go to the Tower together, and he'll see that the boar is actually friendly.

his fears are baseless i'm in one council catesby in the other we're safe don't believe dreams fleeing proves guilt tell him to come we'll go to tower the boar is kind

MESSENGER [accepting the commission, heading off]

I’ll go, my lord, and tell him what you say.

I'll go, my lord, and tell him what you say.

I'll go tell him what you said.

i'll tell him

[_Exit._]

Enter Catesby.

CATESBY [formally friendly greeting, hiding reconnaissance mission]

Many good morrows to my noble lord.

Good morning to my noble lord.

Good morning, my lord.

good morning

HASTINGS ≋ verse [greeting warmly, fishing for news]

Good morrow, Catesby; you are early stirring.

What news, what news in this our tott’ring state?

Good morning, Catesby. You're up early. What's the news? What's happening in this unstable state of ours?

Good morning, Catesby. You're up early. What's the news? What's going on in this chaos?

morning why are you up so early? what's the news?

CATESBY ≋ verse [planting the idea, testing Hastings' response]

It is a reeling world indeed, my lord,

And I believe will never stand upright

Till Richard wear the garland of the realm.

It is a reeling, unstable world indeed, my lord, and I believe it will never stand upright until Richard wears the crown of the realm.

It's a falling-apart world, my lord. I think things won't stabilize until Richard is wearing the crown.

world is falling apart it'll only be stable when richard wears the crown

HASTINGS [caught off guard, asking for clarification]

How, wear the garland? Dost thou mean the crown?

What? Wear the crown? Do you mean the throne itself?

The crown? You mean he'd be king?

the crown? king?

CATESBY [confirming bluntly, watching for reaction]

Ay, my good lord.

Yes, my good lord.

Yeah.

yes

HASTINGS ≋ verse Fierce loyalty to Edward's legitimate heir. Hastings is outraged at the suggestion Richard would take the throne.

I’ll have this crown of mine cut from my shoulders

Before I’ll see the crown so foul misplaced.

But canst thou guess that he doth aim at it?

I'll have my head cut off before I see the crown placed so wrongly. But can you guess that he actually intends to take it?

I'd rather die than see Richard crowned. Is he really trying to take the throne?

i'll die rather than see that richard can't have the crown

Why it matters Hastings' loyal rejection of Richard's claim seals his fate. Within hours, he will lose that head he so casually offers.

CATESBY ≋ verse [laying out the bait—the death of Hastings' enemies as proof of Richard's power]

Ay, on my life, and hopes to find you forward

Upon his party for the gain thereof;

And thereupon he sends you this good news,

That this same very day your enemies,

The kindred of the Queen, must die at Pomfret.

Yes, on my life, and he hopes to find you on his side to gain that crown. And with that in mind, he sends you this good news: your enemies—the Queen's kinfolk—must die today at Pomfret.

Yes, I swear it. He's hoping you'll stand with him to get that crown. So he sent me to tell you something good: your enemies—the Queen's family—are being executed today at Pomfret.

richard hopes you'll support his claim to the crown and guess what— your enemies die today at pomfret

HASTINGS ≋ verse [celebrating their deaths while announcing his principles—completely missing the trap]

Indeed, I am no mourner for that news,

Because they have been still my adversaries.

But that I’ll give my voice on Richard’s side

To bar my master’s heirs in true descent,

God knows I will not do it, to the death.

Indeed, I'm no mourner for that news, because they've been my constant adversaries. But that I should give my voice to Richard's side and bar my master's heirs from the true succession—I swear to God I will never do that, not even if it costs me my life.

I'm not crying about that—those guys have always been against me. But asking me to support Richard so he can cut the rightful heirs out of the succession? God, no. I'd rather die than do that.

good i hate those guys anyway but i won't support richard defrauding the rightful heirs i'd die first

CATESBY [recording Hastings' refusal for the record—this seals his fate]

God keep your lordship in that gracious mind.

God keep your lordship in that noble conviction.

God keep you in that mind.

may god keep you steady

HASTINGS ≋ verse [gloating over his enemies' doom, completely oblivious to his own]

But I shall laugh at this a twelve-month hence,

That they which brought me in my master’s hate,

I live to look upon their tragedy.

Well, Catesby, ere a fortnight make me older

I’ll send some packing that yet think not on’t.

But I'll laugh at this for the next twelve months, to think that the very men who brought me into my master's hate, I'll live to see their tragedy. Well, Catesby, before a fortnight makes me older, I'll send some packing who don't even know it's coming.

I'm going to laugh about this for a year—the guys who got me in trouble with my master, I'm watching them die. Look, Catesby, in two weeks I'm going to make some moves and nobody's gonna see them coming.

i'll laugh for months the guys who destroyed me are dying and soon i'll send some others after them

CATESBY ≋ verse [the warning wrapped in apparent sympathy—this is the trap being sprung]

’Tis a vile thing to die, my gracious lord,

When men are unprepared and look not for it.

It's a terrible thing to die, my gracious lord, when men are unprepared and don't see it coming.

It's awful to die when you're not expecting it, my lord.

it's terrible to die unprepared unexpected

HASTINGS ≋ verse [utterly oblivious—agreeing that men should be unprepared just as he himself is]

O monstrous, monstrous! And so falls it out

With Rivers, Vaughan, Grey; and so ’twill do

With some men else that think themselves as safe

As thou and I, who, as thou know’st, are dear

To princely Richard and to Buckingham.

Monstrous, absolutely monstrous! And that's exactly what will happen to Rivers, Vaughan, and Grey—and it will happen the same way to some other men who think themselves as safe as you and I, who, as you know, are dear to Richard and to Buckingham.

Horrible, right? That's what's happening to Rivers, Vaughan, and Grey—and it'll happen to some other guys who think they're as safe as we are. And we're fine because we're close to Richard and Buckingham.

horrible that's happening to rivers and grey it'll happen to others but not to us we're richard's friends

CATESBY [moving to the exit, task complete]

The Princes both make high account of you—

Both the young Princes value you highly—

The Princes both think very highly of you—

the princes think you're great

[_Aside_.] For they account his head upon the Bridge.

HASTINGS [pridefully affirming what he believes is true]

I know they do, and I have well deserved it.

I know they do, and I've earned it.

I know they do. I've earned it.

i know i've earned it

Enter Stanley Earl of Derby.

Come on, come on. Where is your boar-spear, man?

Fear you the boar, and go so unprovided?

STANLEY ≋ verse [urgent, formal, making his second desperate attempt to warn]

My lord, good morrow; good morrow, Catesby.

You may jest on, but, by the Holy Rood,

I do not like these several councils, I.

My lord, good morning. Good morning, Catesby. You may joke on, but by God's cross, I don't like these separate councils at all.

My lord, good morning. Morning, Catesby. Look, you can laugh, but I'm serious—I don't trust these divided councils.

my lord good morning you can joke but i don't like these separate councils

HASTINGS ≋ verse [reassuring Stanley—but clearly he himself is not truly reassured]

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?

My lord, I hold my life as dear as you hold yours, and I swear I've never been more grateful for how things stand. Do you really think I'd be walking so confidently if I thought our position was uncertain? I wouldn't be this triumphant.

My lord, I value my life as much as you do yours. I promise you, things have never looked this good for me. Do you think I'd be this happy if things weren't solid? I wouldn't be celebrating.

my life is precious to me i'm serious about this i'm only this happy because things are solid i wouldn't celebrate if i wasn't sure

STANLEY ≋ verse [lastingly prophetic—a third warning, describing Rivers and Grey's last morning]

The lords at Pomfret, when they rode from London,

Were jocund and supposed their states were 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.

The lords at Pomfret, when they rode out of London, were cheerful and thought their positions secure. They had no reason to mistrust—yet look how quickly the day turned dark. This sudden knife-thrust of malice troubles me. I pray to God I'm just being a coward. What, shall we go to the Tower? The day is wearing on.

When Rivers and those guys left London this morning, they were happy and felt safe. They had no reason to worry—but look at how fast everything changed. This sudden attack feels wrong. I'm praying I'm just paranoid. Should we head to the Tower? It's getting late.

rivers rode out happy thinking he was safe now look— suddenly everything's dark i'm scared should we go to tower?

HASTINGS ≋ verse [dismissing Stanley's fears with news that confirms them for the audience]

Come, come. Have with you. Wot you what, my lord?

Today the lords you talked of are beheaded.

Come, come. I'm with you. Do you know what, my lord? Today—today the very lords you spoke of have been beheaded.

Come on, let's go. You know what? Those lords you talked about—they're dead. Beheaded today.

let's go the lords you mentioned? they're beheaded today

STANLEY ≋ verse [dark irony—their loyalty didn't save them, and Hastings' will not save him]

They, for their truth, might better wear their heads

Than some that have accused them wear their hats.

But come, my lord, let’s away.

Those men, because of their loyalty, might as well wear their heads as memorial stones. But some who accused them wear hats quite comfortably. Come, my lord, let's go on.

Those guys died because of their loyalty. But the men who betrayed them? They're walking around fine. Come on, let's go.

loyalty kills you betrayal keeps you safe let's go

Enter a Pursuivant.

HASTINGS [sending Stanley ahead, wanting to gloat one more moment with the Pursuivant]

Go on before; I’ll talk with this good fellow.

Go on ahead. I want to talk with this good fellow here.

Go ahead. I want to chat with this guy.

go on i'll talk to him

[_Exeunt Stanley and Catesby._]

How now, sirrah? How goes the world with thee?

PURSUIVANT [formally polite, a minor official]

The better that your lordship please to ask.

The better that your lordship is pleased to ask.

Better than I deserve, my lord.

very well, my lord

HASTINGS ≋ verse [celebrating fortune—standing in the exact spot where fortune turned against him before]

I tell thee, man, ’tis better with me now

Than when thou met’st me last where now we meet.

Then was I going prisoner to the Tower,

By the suggestion of the Queen’s allies.

But now, I tell thee—keep it to thyself—

This day those enemies are put to death,

And I in better state than e’er I was.

I tell you, man, things are much better with me now than when I saw you last—right where we're standing now. Then I was being taken prisoner to the Tower on the Queen's orders. But now, I tell you—keep this private—those enemies are put to death today, and I'm in better fortune than I've ever been.

I'm telling you, things are so much better now than last time I saw you here. Last time I was being dragged to the Tower on the Queen's say-so. But now—don't tell anyone—those enemies are dead today, and I'm doing great. Better than ever.

last time i was here i was going to tower as a prisoner now i'm free my enemies are dead i'm doing great

PURSUIVANT [formal blessing, wishing him well]

God hold it, to your honour’s good content!

God keep it for your honor's good satisfaction!

May God keep that good fortune for you!

god keep it for your honor

HASTINGS [generous, tipping handsomely in his triumph]

Gramercy, fellow. There, drink that for me.

Thank you, fellow. Here, drink that for me.

Thanks, man. Here, have a drink on me.

thanks here drink to my fortune

[_Throws him his purse._]

PURSUIVANT [grateful for the tip]

I thank your honour.

I thank your honor.

Thank you, my lord.

thank you

[_Exit._]

Enter a Priest.

PRIEST [warmly greeting Hastings—who has no idea he needs this priest today, not Sunday]

Well met, my lord; I am glad to see your honour.

Well met, my lord! I'm glad to see your honor.

My lord! Good to see you.

my lord good to see you

HASTINGS ≋ verse [thanking the priest, scheduling his own last rites for a day he won't see]

I thank thee, good Sir John, with all my heart.

I am in your debt for your last exercise.

Come the next sabbath, and I will content you.

Thank you, good Sir John, with all my heart. I'm indebted to you for your last service. Come this next Sunday, and I will repay you.

Thanks, Sir John. I owe you for the last thing you did for me. Come by next Sunday and I'll make it up to you.

thanks for everything next sunday i'll take care of you

Enter Buckingham.

PRIEST [accepting, knowing Hastings won't live to see Sunday]

I’ll wait upon your lordship.

I'll wait upon your lordship.

I'll see you then, my lord.

i'll see you sunday

[_Exit Priest._]

BUCKINGHAM ≋ verse [cruel irony—Buckingham knows Hastings won't need confession today, but his victims at Pomfret will]

What, talking with a priest, Lord Chamberlain?

Your friends at Pomfret, they do need the priest;

Your honour hath no shriving work in hand.

What—talking with a priest, Lord Chamberlain? Your friends at Pomfret, they do need the priest. Your honor has no need to make confession today.

What, talking to a priest? Your friends at Pomfret need him more than you do. You're not going to confession.

a priest? no your friends at pomfret they need the priest not you

HASTINGS ≋ verse [explaining away the priest meeting, still oblivious to the grim irony]

Good faith, and when I met this holy man,

The men you talk of came into my mind.

What, go you toward the Tower?

In good faith, when I met this holy man, my mind turned to the men we speak of. What, are you heading to the Tower?

Actually, when I saw him, I just started thinking about those guys at Pomfret. By the way, are you going to the Tower?

yeah, i just thought of those guys are you going to tower?

BUCKINGHAM ≋ verse [assuring Hastings he'll be back—he knows Hastings won't leave the Tower alive]

I do, my lord, but long I cannot stay there.

I shall return before your lordship thence.

I do, my lord, but I can't stay long. I'll be back before you leave.

Yeah, but I can't stay. I'll be back before you go.

i'm going but i'll be quick i'll be back before you leave

HASTINGS [casually—he'll stay for dinner and will never leave]

Nay, like enough, for I stay dinner there.

Likely enough, since I'm staying for dinner there.

Yeah, probably. I'm staying for dinner.

yeah i'm staying for dinner

[_Aside_.] And supper too, although thou knowest it not.

BUCKINGHAM [moving toward the Tower, the trap closing]

Come, will you go?

Let's go then.

let's go

HASTINGS [following Buckingham to the Tower—and to his execution]

I’ll wait upon your lordship.

I'll follow your lordship.

I'm right behind you.

let's go i'm right behind

[_Exeunt._]

The Reckoning

[object Object]

If this happened today…

The morning before a hostile takeover meeting. Someone on your team texts you at 4am: 'I had a bad dream about the boss — I think we should both call in sick and drive to the country.' You laugh it off. Your colleague from the other side (Catesby) drops by to 'check in' and casually mentions that the CEO might be making a move on the chairman's seat. You say you'd die before supporting that. Your colleague smiles, says nothing, and texts the CEO. You bump into the HR director in the lobby, brag about how the enemies who got you fired three years ago are being let go today, and then chat with your pastor about Sunday brunch. By the time you walk into that boardroom, your termination letter is already typed.

Continue to 3.3 →