Stand all apart. Cousin of Buckingham!
Everyone step back. Buckingham, come here.
Everyone out. Buckingham, stay.
everyone back off buckingham. here. now
My gracious sovereign!
Yes, my gracious king!
Your Majesty?
yes ur majesty?
Give me thy hand.
Give me your hand.
Let me have your hand.
your hand
Thus high, by thy advice
And thy assistance is King Richard seated.
But shall we wear these glories for a day,
Or shall they last, and we rejoice in them?
By your advice and assistance I am now set this high as King Richard. But shall we wear these glories for just a day, or shall they endure, and we find joy in them?
With your advice and help I'm now King Richard. But will we enjoy this power for just one day, or will it last and bring us happiness?
i'm king richard now because of you will this power last or fade?
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.
Go ahead and continue, my dear lord.
Keep going, my lord.
go on
Why, Buckingham, I say I would be King.
Buckingham, I'm telling you plainly - I want to be King.
Buckingham, I want to make it clear - I desire the throne.
buckingham i want 2 be king
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?
ur ice cold now where did ur loyalty go just say it: can they die?
Give me some little breath, some pause, dear lord,
Before I positively speak in this.
I will resolve you herein presently.
Give me a little breathing room, a moment's pause, dear lord, before I give you a definite answer on this. I'll let you know my decision shortly.
Just give me a minute to catch my breath, my lord, before I commit to anything on this. I'll get back to you really soon.
give me a sec need to think before i say yes ill get back to u soon
[_Aside_.] The King is angry. See, he gnaws his lip.
The King is angry. Look, he is gnawing on his lip.
The King's furious. See? He's biting his lip.
hes mad biting his lip
[_Aside_.] I will converse with iron-witted fools
And unrespective boys; none are for me
That look into me with considerate eyes.
High-reaching Buckingham grows circumspect.
Boy!
I will converse with iron-hearted fools and foolish young men; none are for me who look at me with thinking eyes. High-reaching Buckingham grows careful and watchful. Boy!
I'll go talk to hardened fools and dumb kids instead; nobody for me who actually thinks. Buckingham's getting cautious on me. Boy!
need idiots not thinkers buckingham thinks too much boy get over here
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.
The man is called Tyrrel, my lord.
His name's Tyrrel, sir.
his name is tyrrel
I partly know the man. Go, call him hither, boy.
I know the man partially. Go, call him here, boy.
I know him somewhat. Go fetch him for me, boy.
i know the guy go get him
[_Aside_.] The deep-revolving witty Buckingham
No more shall be the neighbour to my counsels.
Hath he so long held out with me, untired,
And stops he now for breath? Well, be it so.
The clever, strategic Buckingham will no longer be my confidant. He has held out with me so long without tiring, and now he stops to catch his breath? So be it.
That scheming Buckingham won't be my trusted advisor anymore. He stuck with me all this time without complaint, and now he wants to pause and think? Fine, let him go.
buckingham is done he lasted long but now he stops so be it
How now, Lord Stanley, what’s the news?
Hello, Lord Stanley. What news do you have?
Lord Stanley, what's the news?
lord stanley what's up
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.
Come here, Catesby. Spread rumors that my wife Anne is very sick. I'll make sure she stays locked away. Find me a poor gentleman I can marry right away to Clarence's daughter. The boy is foolish and I'm not afraid of him. Stop daydreaming! I'm telling you once more - spread the word that my Queen Anne is sick and dying. Do it, because it's crucial for me to stop any hopes that could threaten my position.
Catesby, come here. I need you to spread rumors that Anne is very sick. I'll keep her isolated. Find me a poor man I can marry off to Clarence's daughter immediately. He's foolish and I don't fear him. Why are you daydreaming? Listen again - spread the word that my Queen Anne is dying. Do it now because it's critical that I stop any rival claims before they take root.
spread rumors my wife is sick i'll keep her locked away find me a poor man i'll marry him to clarence's daughter the boy is useless tell everyone the queen is dying i need to stop any threats
I must be married to my brother’s daughter,
Or else my kingdom stands on brittle glass.
Murder her brothers, and then marry her—
Uncertain way of gain! But I am in
So far in blood that sin will pluck on sin.
Tear-falling pity dwells not in this eye.
I must marry my brother's daughter, or else my kingdom stands on something as fragile as glass. Murder her brothers, and then marry her—an uncertain path to power! But I have gone so far into crime that one sin pulls along another sin. Compassion no longer exists in my heart.
I have to marry my niece or my throne will be too weak to last. Kill her brothers and marry her—it's risky! But I'm in too deep already; one murder just leads to another. I don't have any sympathy left in me.
gotta marry my brother's daughter or the throne falls apart kill her brothers marry her i'm in too deep one crime leads to the next no mercy left in me
Is thy name Tyrrel?
Is your name Tyrrel?
Are you Tyrrel?
you tyrrel?
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.
You say pleasing things. Listen closely, Tyrrel. Come here, take this token. Rise and listen carefully to what I'm about to say.
You say just what I want to hear. Come closer, Tyrrel. Take this token. Stand up and listen closely to me.
you please me come close tyrrel take this listen carefully
[_Whispers_.] There is no more but so. Say it is done,
And I will love thee, and prefer thee for it.
There is nothing more to say. Just say it is done, and I will love you and reward you for it.
That's all I need to say. Just tell me it's finished and I'll be grateful to you forever.
thats it just do it ill love you for it
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, you promised me the earldom.
My lord, what about the earldom you promised me?
u promised me the earldom
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.
Very well, let the bell sound.
Let the clock chime then.
let the bell ring
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.