Stand all apart. Cousin of Buckingham!
Everyone step back. Buckingham, come here.
Everyone out. Buckingham, stay.
isolation control the first test
My gracious sovereign!
Your gracious majesty!
Your Majesty!
yes totally yours completely in your debt
Give me thy hand.
Give me your hand.
Your hand.
give me everything your hand your loyalty your soul
Still live they, and for ever let them last!
They will live forever. Let them last forever.
They'll last forever, sir.
forever no problem forever how easy to say
Ah, Buckingham, now do I play the touch,
To try if thou be current gold indeed.
Young Edward lives; think now what I would speak.
Listen, Buckingham. Now I test whether you're truly loyal gold or just fake. Young Edward is alive—think about what I'm going to say next.
Now I test if you're really with me, Buckingham. Edward's still alive. Figure out what I'm asking.
the test are you really with me or are you squeamish let's find out
Say on, my loving lord.
Tell me, my lord.
Tell me, my lord.
ready listening what does he want
Why, Buckingham, I say I would be King.
I want to be King, Buckingham.
I want to be King.
i want to be king but he already is what does he mean what more could he want
Why, so you are, my thrice-renowned lord.
You already are, my lord. You are most famously king.
But you are king already, sir.
aren't you already the crown is on your head what's the problem
Ha! Am I King? ’Tis so—but Edward lives.
Am I king? Yes, I am—but Edward is still alive.
Am I? Maybe. But Edward's still breathing.
edward the boy still alive still a threat still a problem
True, noble Prince.
Yes, my lord.
Yes, sir.
yes again yes always yes but buckingham isn't asking what comes next
O bitter consequence,
That Edward still should live “true noble prince!”
Cousin, thou wast not wont to be so dull.
Shall I be plain? I wish the bastards dead,
And I would have it suddenly performed.
What sayst thou now? Speak suddenly, be brief.
How bitter it is that Edward still lives, saying 'Yes, my lord.' You're not usually so slow to understand. Let me be clear: I want those bastards dead. I want it done right away. What do you say? Speak now, be quick.
This is the problem—Edward still lives while you're calling him a 'prince.' You're smarter than this, Buckingham. I want those two bastards dead. I want it done immediately. Well? Say yes or no.
the bastards dead now do you hear me will you do it
Your Grace may do your pleasure.
Your Majesty, you can do whatever you wish.
Do as you like, sir.
not yes not no something else something weaker
Tut, tut, thou art all ice; thy kindness freezes.
Say, have I thy consent that they shall die?
Come on. You're all ice now. Your support freezes at the first real test. Tell me straight: do I have your blessing to kill them?
You're cold now. Frozen. Where'd your warmth go? Will you just say you're okay with killing them?
cold frozen he was warm now he's ice richard sees it and hates it
Give me some little breath, some pause, dear lord,
Before I positively speak in this.
I will resolve you herein presently.
Give me a moment, my lord. Let me think about this before I promise anything. I'll give you my answer soon.
Let me think, my lord. Don't make me answer right now. I'll tell you soon.
wait time a pause he needs to think richard will not grant it
And unrespective boys; none are for me
That look into me with considerate eyes.
High-reaching Buckingham grows circumspect.
Boy!
And thoughtless boys—nobody for me who looks at me and actually thinks. Buckingham was too clever. He's getting careful. Boy!
And boys who don't think. Not people who understand what I'm doing. Buckingham used to be loyal. Not anymore. Page!
call the page by-pass buckingham find someone simple someone hungry
My lord?
My lord?
Yes, sir?
here ready what do you need
Know’st thou not any whom corrupting gold
Will tempt unto a close exploit of death?
Do you know anyone who can be bribed with gold to commit murder in secret?
Do you know anyone greedy enough that money could buy them to kill someone quietly?
a killer for hire money changes everything everything has a price
I know a discontented gentleman
Whose humble means match not his haughty spirit.
Gold were as good as twenty orators,
And will, no doubt, tempt him to anything.
I know a man—he's not happy with his station. He has big ambitions but small income. Gold would convince him to do anything.
I know a guy who wants more than he has. He's proud but broke. Money will work on him.
hungry ambitous poor gold will move him gold will solve everything
What is his name?
What's his name?
Who is he?
the name find the name close the deal
His name, my lord, is Tyrrel.
James Tyrrel, my lord.
His name's Tyrrel.
tyrrel james tyrrel the name will change history the name of the man who kills the princes
I partly know the man. Go, call him hither, boy.
I know something about this man. Go call him here.
I know who he is. Get him.
fetch him richard is ready the machinery of murder begins
Know, my loving lord,
The Marquess Dorset, as I hear, is fled
To Richmond, in the parts where he abides.
My lord, the Marquess of Dorset has escaped to Richmond—where Henry Tudor is gathering strength.
Dorset got away. He's with Richmond now.
fled escaped to the enemy richard's enemies gather strength
Come hither, Catesby. Rumour it abroad
That Anne my wife is very grievous sick;
I will take order for her keeping close.
Inquire me out some mean poor gentleman,
Whom I will marry straight to Clarence’ daughter.
The boy is foolish, and I fear not him.
Look how thou dream’st! I say again, give out
That Anne, my Queen, is sick and like to die.
About it, for it stands me much upon
To stop all hopes whose growth may damage me.
Call Catesby. Tell everyone that Anne is gravely ill. I'll have her isolated. Find me a poor nobleman—anyone—and I'll marry him to Clarence's daughter. The boy is a fool; I don't fear him. Listen to me: spread the word that Anne is dying. This is urgent. I need to stop anyone from hoping to oppose my rule.
Get Catesby. Spread it around that Anne is very sick—dying, even. I'll lock her away. Find me some nobody and I'll marry him to Clarence's daughter. That boy's an idiot. Just get people talking about how Anne is fading. This is critical. Anyone who hopes I might not keep power is a threat.
anne must go dispose of her find her replacement the girl must marry someone harmless richard thinks of everything
Tyrrel speaks with a mercenary's precision — he doesn't moralize, he prices. His phrase 'I had rather kill two enemies' tells you everything: he reframes the transaction to his advantage immediately. Watch for how he narrates the princes' deaths in the next scene — even killers sometimes have consciences.
James Tyrrel, and your most obedient subject.
I am James Tyrrel, and I am your most obedient subject.
Yes, sir. James Tyrrel, at your service.
obedient submissive ready willing
Art thou indeed?
Are you truly?
Really?
test probe double-check richard doesn't trust but he hires
Prove me, my gracious lord.
Test me, my lord.
Test me.
prove me check me i welcome it i'm ready i have nothing to hide
Dar’st thou resolve to kill a friend of mine?
Will you kill someone I call a friend?
Would you kill someone I care about?
the real test will you do anything kill anyone for money
Please you. But I had rather kill two enemies.
I would prefer to kill two enemies of yours.
I'd rather kill two enemies.
reframe bargain check tyrel negotiates tyrel thinks in transactions
Why then thou hast it; two deep enemies,
Foes to my rest, and my sweet sleep’s disturbers,
Are they that I would have thee deal upon.
Tyrell, I mean those bastards in the Tower.
Then you have it. Two enemies—they trouble my sleep and disturb my dreams. They are the ones I want you to deal with: the two bastards in the Tower.
Perfect. Those two enemies are my biggest problem. They keep me awake. They're the bastards locked in the Tower. They're your job.
the princes still boys traitors enemies problems bastards deal with them
Let me have open means to come to them,
And soon I’ll rid you from the fear of them.
Give me access to them, and I'll quickly remove your fear of them.
Let me at them, and I'll solve your problem.
access opportunity the deal closed the princes are sentenced
Thou sing’st sweet music. Hark, come hither, Tyrrel.
Go, by this token. Rise, and lend thine ear.
Beautiful. Come here, Tyrrel. Go ahead—use this as your signal. Lean in and listen.
Good. Come close. I'll give you a token. Here's what I need.
signal token the whispered order the death sentence whispered so only tyrrel hears
I will dispatch it straight.
I'll do it immediately.
It's done.
yes yes no hesitation no doubt just action
My lord, I have considered in my mind
The late request that you did sound me in.
My lord, I've thought about the request you made of me.
Sir, I've had time to think about what you asked.
he's thought weighed it come to a position come to an answer
Well, let that rest. Dorset is fled to Richmond.
Forget it. Dorset has escaped to Richmond.
Never mind. Dorset got away.
no don't bother richard doesn't care richard has moved on richard already has tyrrel
I hear the news, my lord.
Yes, I've heard.
I know.
yes i know but that's not what we're discussing
Stanley, he is your wife’s son. Well, look unto it.
Stanley is your wife's son. Keep an eye on him.
Your wife's son—watch him.
threat veiled stanley might rebel stanley's loyalties questionable watch him or die
My lord, I claim the gift, my due by promise,
For which your honour and your faith is pawned:
Th’ earldom of Hereford, and the movables
Which you have promised I shall possess.
My lord, I request my due reward—the earldom of Hereford and the estates you promised me. Your honor and your word depend on this.
My lord, I'm asking for what you promised me. The earldom. Your honor is on the line.
the reward the payment for making you king for all the work for everything promise me
Stanley, look to your wife. If she convey
Letters to Richmond, you shall answer it.
Stanley, watch your wife. If she sends letters to Richmond, you'll answer for it.
Make sure your wife doesn't send messages to Richmond. If she does, you die.
ignore buckingham threat stanley through his wife through buckingham richard plays with everyone
What says your Highness to my just request?
What will you do about my promised reward, Your Majesty?
Sir, what about my earldom?
again he asks again braver now or more desperate richard will not answer
I do remember me, Henry the Sixth
Did prophesy that Richmond should be King,
When Richmond was a little peevish boy.
A king perhaps—
I remember Henry VI once prophesied that Richmond would become king. When Richmond was just a small, difficult boy.
I'm thinking about Henry VI. He said Richmond would be king. When Richmond was just a boy.
prophecy magic fate richard is afraid of henry tudor of richmond of his own doom
My lord—
My lord—
Sir—
stop wait listen but richard will not
How chance the prophet could not at that time
Have told me, I being by, that I should kill him?
How strange that prophet couldn't have told me then that I would kill him.
Why didn't he tell me I'd be the one to kill Richmond?
prophecy death richard's death richard fears he will lose he will die
My lord, your promise for the earldom—
My lord, about your promise for the earldom—
My lord, the earldom you promised—
he keeps asking braver now stupider now richard won't answer
Richmond! When last I was at Exeter,
The Mayor in courtesy showed me the castle
And called it Rougemount, at which name I started,
Because a bard of Ireland told me once
I should not live long after I saw Richmond.
Richmond! When I was last at Exeter, the mayor showed me a castle and called it Rougemont. At that name I started—because an Irish bard once told me I wouldn't live long after seeing Richmond.
Richmond. I was in Exeter once, and the mayor showed me a castle. He called it Rougemont. An Irish fortune-teller once told me I'd die not long after seeing Richmond. That name. It terrifies me.
prophecy fear omnious richard is afraid of a place of a name of his future
My lord—
My lord—
Sir—
please listen no
Ay, what’s o’clock?
What time is it?
What's the time?
deflection avoidance richard will not pay what he owes
I am thus bold to put your Grace in mind
Of what you promised me.
I'm being very bold here, but I must remind you of what you promised me.
Forgive me, but I have to ask about your promise.
one more time brave stupid one more time he will lose
Well, but what’s o’clock?
But what is the time, then?
The time. What time is it?
again the same question richard will not answer richard will never pay
Upon the stroke of ten.
It's ten o'clock.
Ten o'clock.
the hour a specific moment a deadline a turning point
Well, let it strike.
Well, let it strike.
Let it strike.
let time pass let the moment go let buckingham remain unpaid
Why let it strike?
Why should it strike?
What do you mean?
confusion bewilderment richard is being intentionally cruel intentionally evasive
Because that, like a jack, thou keep’st the stroke
Betwixt thy begging and my meditation.
I am not in the giving vein today.
Because, like a clock's chime, you keep sounding the hour between your begging and my thinking. I'm not in the mood to give today.
Because you keep ringing like a bell between my thinking and whatever else I want to do. I don't feel generous today.
you're a bell ringing ringing begging richard is done with this man with buckingham with loyalty with obligation
Why then, resolve me whether you will or no.
Then tell me straight: will you give it or not?
Just tell me yes or no.
yes or no will you pay will you honor the deal say it please
Thou troublest me; I am not in the vein.
You're bothering me. I'm not in the mood to discuss this.
You're irritating me. I don't want to talk about it.
stop no more get out i'm done with you with your claim with your existence
And is it thus? Repays he my deep service
With such contempt? Made I him King for this?
O, let me think on Hastings, and be gone
To Brecknock while my fearful head is on!
Is this how he repays my service? With contempt? Did I make him king for this? God, let me think of Hastings—what happened to him—and flee this place while my head is still attached.
Is this my reward for making him king? Contempt? I made him king for this? I remember what happened to Hastings. I need to run. Now. Before I'm next.
hastings dead by richard's hand for hesitation for loyalty for friendship buckingham will run before he dies
The Reckoning
The scene begins with trumpets and a throne. It takes Richard about ninety seconds to show us that nothing changes when a villain gets what he wants — he just wants more. The princes are still alive. They have to die. Buckingham, who engineered this coronation, is asked to approve child murder and suddenly discovers he has limits. Richard notices the hesitation and writes him off instantly, pivoting to a hired killer without missing a beat. By the end, Buckingham is standing alone wondering if his own head is still safe. The audience watches the team that made Richard king collapse the moment the crown is on.
If this happened today…
A startup founder and his chief operating officer finally get the company public. The first thing the founder does in the boardroom is start a private Slack channel with a young intern he's never talked to before, asking if he knows anyone who can 'quietly deal with a problem.' The COO, who built the company alongside him, tries to bring up his promised equity stake — the founder literally changes the subject three times and then walks out. The COO stands in the empty boardroom, realizing he just made someone else's empire and has nothing in writing, thinking about the last colleague who asked about his equity and got fired the next morning.