144 censures opinions
147 by on sort occasion arrange an opportunity 148 index preface story plan, business late recently 150 counsel's innermost thoughts' (puns on advisory "council") consistory council chamber, meeting place 152 direction instruction, guidance
Act 2 Scene 3
2.3 Location: a London street
3 abroad at large, in the outside world
5 by'r lady by Our Lady (the Virgin Mary) seldom ... better is rarely followed by better things 6 giddy inconstant, unstable
7 God speed God be with you; a standard greeting
8 Give ... morrow God give you good day: a standard greeting 9 Doth ... hold is the news true
10 God ... while i.e. God help us
10 while age, times
11 masters sirs look expect
15 nonage minority, youth council under him the Privy Council, a group of the king's ministers, governing for him 20 so in the same condition wot knows
22 politic grave counsel wise and reverend guidance
23 protect act as formal guardians for
27 emulation rivalry nearest most closely related to the king/most influential over the king 28 touch ... near affect us all too closely
30 haught haughty, aspiring
32 solace take comfort, be happy
36 look for expect
37 dearth famine, shortage
38 sort ordain, arrange
41 cannot reason almost can scarcely reason
42 heavily gravely, anxiously
43 still always
44 mistrust suspect
45 proof experience
46 boist'rous violent
47 Whither away? Where are you going?
48 justices justices of the peace; the reason for this is never stated Act 2 Scene 4
2.4 Location: the royal court, London
1 lay spent the night
1 Stony Stratford small town in Buckinghamshire
2 Northampton Northamptonshire town twelve miles farther from London than Stony Stratford, an apparent confusion explained by Shakespeare's sources: Richard and Buckingham met the Prince at Stony Stratford, then (Rivers, Vaughan, and Grey having been arrested) took him back to Northampton before resuming the journey to London 9 cousin general term for a relative
13 grace virtuous qualities; possibly Richard quibbles on "herb of grace" or rue, an herb with medicinal qualities whose name means "sorrow"
13 apace quickly
16 hold apply, prove true
17 object the same suggest it, apply it
23 troth faith been remembered remembered 24 flout taunt, mocking insult
25 touch ... mine mock his growth more pointedly than he mocked mine 28 gnaw ... old various historical accounts claim that Richard was born with teeth, something considered abnormal and ominous 30 biting sharp/to do with teeth
35 parlous mischievous, wily Go to expression of dismissive impatience shrewd sharp-tongued, cheeky 37 Pitchers have ears proverbial; pitchers were jugs with large handles ("ears")--Elizabeth means that the boy has been eavesdropping on adult conversation 43 Pomfret Pontefract castle, in Yorkshire
48 can know, can say
51 house family
52 hind female deer
53 Insulting threatening, harmful/exulting scornfully jut thrust, shove/project, encroach 54 aweless inspiring no awe or dread
54 throne i.e. Prince Edward
56 map chart of the world/diagram/summary, epitome
62 seated in power, having gained the throne broils turmoil 63 overblown blown over
65 preposterous unnatural (literally, in reverse order)
66 frantic outrage insane violence spleen fury (the spleen was thought to be the seat of extreme emotion) 68 sanctuary churches and their precincts provided sanctuary from arrest; Elizabeth went to Westminster Abbey 75 seal great seal of England, used by the king to authenticate documents; the Archbishop was its official keeper so ... you may my fortunes depend on the care I show you
Act 3 Scene 1
3.1 Location: London; exact location unspecified, possibly a street
1 chamber London was known as the camera regis, Latin for the "king's chamber"
2 my thoughts' sovereign my chief concern/head of my thoughts 4 crosses troubles (i.e. the arrests of Rivers, Vaughan, and Grey) 5 heavy laborious, burdensome, sorrowful
6 want lack/desire
11 jumpeth accords, agrees
13 attended paid attention, listened
21 ere before
22 slug sluggard, lazy fellow
26 On what occasion for what reason
28 tender young prince i.e. Edward's younger brother, Richard 29 fain willingly
30 perforce forcibly
31 indirect devious/oblique, lengthy/erroneous peevish obstinate/perverse 34 presently immediately
36 jealous suspicious, mistrustful, overprotective
37 oratory rhetorical skill
39 Anon shortly obdurate inflexible, determined 44 senseless unreasonably, foolishly
46 Weigh ... with if you only judge it by grossness low standards, coarseness 48 benefit protection
49 dealings actions, conduct
50 wit intelligence, mature judgment
53 thence ... there a place that cannot really be considered as sanctuary in his case 54 charter privilege, legal right
62 sojourn stay, reside
65 repose you settle yourself, rest
65 Tower a royal residence as well as a much-feared prison 68 any place all places
71 re-edified rebuilt, developed
72 upon record written down
75 registered recorded
77 retailed recounted, retold
78 general ending day universal doomsday, the end of the world 79 So ... long proverbial: "too soon wise to live long"
81 characters written records
82 formal Vice conventional Vice figure of morality plays, an allegorical character named after a particular sin and known for wordplay and grim humor niquity sinfulness; a stock name for a Vice figure 83 moralize interpret (perhaps playing on the idea of expounding God's word for the purpose of moral teaching) 85 With ... live i.e. he used his intellect to write down the courageous military exploits that had enriched it, in order to ensure that his reputation lived on 87 his conqueror the one who conquers death
91 An if if
94 lightly usually forward early
98 grief Edward refers to the death of his father
99 late recently
103 idle useless
108 beholding beholden, indebted
110 as in in that I am
111 dagger perhaps maintaining the link between Richard and the medieval Vice figure, who traditionally carried a dagger 112 With ... heart very willingly (but also implying that he would gladly stab York with it) 115 toy trifle grief hardship
117 to it that goes with it
118 light not heavy (York shifts the sense to "trifling, cheap") 120 a beggar nay no to a beggar
122 weigh it lightly consider it a trifle/do not think it weighs very much 122 were it even if it were
123 have continues the grim play on "receive as a gift/receive in death"
127 still always cross contrary, perverse 131 like ... shoulders professional fools or same bears carried apes on their backs at fairs; attention is drawn here to Richard's hunched back bear puns on the name of the animal 133 sharp-provided quick and ready
134 mit gate moderate, lessen
135 prettily cleverly, charmingly
136 cunning crafty, clever
151.1 sennet trumpet call signaling the continuation of a procession 152 prating chattering, prattling
153 incensed urged on, incited subtle cunning 154 opprobriously scornfully, insultingly
155 perilous wily, dangerous, mischievous
156 forward spirited, ready capable responsive, receptive 157 all the mother's exactly like his mother
158 let them rest enough of them, leave them for the moment; or perhaps literally "le
t them take their rest"
159 deeply profoundly, solemnly
160 closely secretly
161 urged proposed, discussed way i.e. the journey from Ludlow to London 163 of ... For share our opinion and intention regarding 166 He ... father's Hastings for Edward IV's
167 won to aught persuaded to do anything
171 as ... off in a roundabout way, indirectly sound sound out, probe 172 affected to disposed toward
174 sit confer, sit in council
180 divided councils two separate meetings
181 highly crucially
182 Lord William i.e. Hastings
183 ancient knot long-standing group (knot may play on the sense of "tumor") 184 are let blood i.e. will be executed: literally, refers to surgical bloodletting 186 Mistress Shore Hastings' mistress Jane Shore (formerly mistress of Edward IV) 188 heed care
193 complots conspiracies, schemes
196 movables portable property
200 sup betimes have supper early
201 digest arrange (plays on the sense of literal digestion) form good order Act 3 Scene 2
3.2 Location: outside Hastings' house
6 tedious weary, long
11 boar Richard's heraldic emblem razed pulled, torn helm helmet 13 that ... determined decisions may be taken
14 to rue grieve
15 pleasure will, inclination
16 presently immediately
17 post ride swiftly
21 His honour Lord Stanley
23 toucheth affects, relates to
24 have intelligence be informed
25 without instance lacking evidence
27 mock'ry foolish delusions, false images
28 fly flee
29 Were would be
30 mean (originally) intend
33 use treat kindly gently, courteously (plays on the sense of "according to his [boarlike] nature") 40 garland i.e. crown (with connotations of a victor's garland) 43 crown head
44 foul wickedly, wrongfully/in an ugly manner (perhaps recalling Richard's appearance) 46 forward ... party ready to support him, eagerly on his side 54 master's i.e. Edward IV's
58 they i.e. the queen's relatives in into
64 monstrous unnatural falls it out it has happened 69 make high account hold you in high estimation (in the context of the following line, high plays on the sense of "high up, aloft") 70 account consider, expect the bridge London Bridge, on which traitors' heads were displayed on poles 73 unprovided unprepared, ill-equipped
75 rood (Christ's) cross
76 several separate
78 protest declare
81 triumphant cheerful/exultant (over my enemies' deaths) 83 jocund merry, cheerful states were sure positions were secure 84 mistrust doubt, suspect
92 hats i.e. official positions (Stanley has Richard's role as royal Protector in mind) 93.1 Pursuivant state messenger with the power to execute warrants 94 before ahead
95 sirrah sir (used to inferiors)
100 suggestion instigation, prompting
103 state prosperity, position, circumstances
104 hold keep, maintain
105 Gramercy great thanks
108 Sir conventional title for a clergyman
109 I ... exercise Hastings apologizes for not attending the last church service (during which he was in prison) exercise religious service 110 content recompense
114 shriving work business of saying confession and receiving absolution 119 thence from there
120 stay stay for
Act 3 Scene 3
3.3 Location: Pomfret (Pontefract) castle, Yorkshire
5 knot tight group
7 Dispatch get on with it
10 closure enclosure
12 for ... seat to add to the disgrace associated with this place dismal seat ominous position 15 exclaimed on cried out against, condemned
15 Hastings ... I in fact, Margaret does not mention Grey (see Act 1 Scene 3) 20 for instead of
23 expiate reached, fully come
Act 3 Scene 4
3.4 Location: council chamber, the Tower of London
2 of about
5 wants but nomination requires only the appointing of the date 6 happy auspicious, favorable
8 inward intimate
9 mind temperament/opinion on the coronation/intentions in general 10 for as for
13 near in love close, intimate
16 sounded questioned, sounded out
19 in on voice vote
20 take ... part accept in a gracious manner
22 cousins term of address between nobles
24 neglect cause the neglect of
27 part role (continues the theatrical language begun with cue) 29 bolder more confident
37 testy headstrong, short-tempered
37 hot angry/impetuous
38 head plays on the etymology of testy, i.e. teste, Old French for "head"
39 worshipfully respectfully
42 set down confirmed
44 provided prepared
45 prolonged postponed, delayed
48 smooth seemingly amiable or friendly
49 conceit idea, fancy likes pleases
53 straight instantly
55 livelihood liveliness
61 charms magic spells
64 doom sentence
68 blasted shriveled, blighted by supernatural means
69 is i.e. is the doing of monstrous unnatural 70 Consorted associated, in conjunction
70 Shore Jane Shore, Hastings' mistress and formerly Edward IV's 76 the same i.e. Hastings' beheading accomp ished
80 fond foolish
81 rouse move violently, pull from our heads
83 foot-cloth horse horse with a long ornate cloth draped over its back 84 started shied, moved suddenly
85 As as if loath reluctant, unwilling
88 triumphing exulting victoriously
94 shrift confession (to a priest)
95 grace fortune, favor (in the next line, the sense shifts to "divine grace, mercy") 97 Who he who
97 in air on the insubstantial foundation, in the emptiness 97 good favoring, approving
101 bootless useless
101 exclaim protest, cry out
Act 3 Scene 5
3.5 Location: within the walls of the Tower of London
3.5 rotten rusty/old, decaying
3.5 marvellous ill-favoured (looking) extremely unsightly 1 change thy colour i.e. make yourself look pale with fear 2 Murder i.e. cut off, catch
5 counterfeit imitate
5 deep artful, cunning
5 tragedian tragic actor
6 back behind me, over my shoulder (presumably in alarm or distrust) 6 pry peer (nervously or suspiciously)
7 at wagging at the mere stirring, shaking
8 Intending expressing, pretending
9 service command
9 enforced false, deliberate
10 offices roles, tasks
17 o'erlook look over (seems to suggest that the scene takes place on the battlements) 21 patient calm
25 plainest most honest
27 book i.e. diary, personal notebook
28 history narrative, record
29 smooth plausibly
30 his ... omitted apart from his manifest guilt
31 conversation sexual relationship
32 from free from
32 attainder of suspects stain of suspicion
33 covert'st sheltered most secretly concealed
35 almost even
37 subtle cunning
41 Turks i.e. barbarians, non-Christians
42 form order, code
43 rashly hastily
47 fair good fortune
48 proceeded acted (perhaps with connotations of "taken legal proceedings") 50 looked for expected
51 fell in plays on the sense of "penetrated sexually"
52 had ... die we had determined that he should not die
53 see attend to, manage
57 timorously with fear, tremblingly
60 haply perhaps
61 Misconster misconstrue
61 us in him our role in or motives for his death
63 as as if
68 carping fault-finding, dissatisfied
69 of regarding
70 witness testify to
73 Guildhall central building in which civic affairs were conducted 73 hies ... post hurries as quickly as possible
74 meetest vantage best opportunity
75 Infer allege
78 house both home and either shop or inn
79 sign i.e. sign bearing the name (The Crown) of the shop or inn 80 luxury lechery, last
81 change of lust constantly requiring new sexual partners 83 Even where wherever
85 for a need if necessary
85 come ... person i.e. tell a tale that will affect me too 86 went ... Of was pregnant with
89 true exact, accurate
90 his begot conceived by him
91 well ... lineaments was obvious in Edward's features, appearance 93 sparingly carefully, discreetly, with restraint
96 golden fee i.e. the crown (fee perhaps plays on the legal sense of "inherited estate": the sense of "payment" anticipates the reward Buckingham expects for his services) 98 thrive well are successful
98 Baynard's Castle London residence owned by the Duchess of York, situated by the River Thames near Blackfriars 103 Shaw ... Penker both clergymen who supported Richard 106 take ... order make some secret arrangements
108 manner manner of
109 recourse means of access
Act 3 Scene 6
3.6 Location: London
3.6 Scrivener professional scribe, particularly of legal documents 1 indictment formal statement of charges
2 a set hand formal handwriting
2 fairly elegantly
2 engrossed written in large characters appropriate for legal documents ("gross" in its sense of "wicked, reprehensible" may pick up on its moral opposite, "fair") 3 Paul's St. Paul's Cathedral (where public proclamations were often made) 4 the sequel the following/the sequence of events/subsequent scribal copy he produced 7 precedent preceding document, first draft (from which the final copy has been made) 9 Untainted unstained by accunation
9 unexamined not questioned, interrogated
9 free at liberty/innocent/untroubled
10 the while these days
10 gross stupid
11 palpable device obvious contrivance
14 seen in thought i.e. not acknowledged openly
Act 3 Scene 7
3.7 Location: Baynard's Castle, London
3.7 several separate
3 mum silent
4 Touched you did you mention
5 contract betrothal
6 contract ... France in 3 Henry VI (Act 3 Scene 3) the Earl of Warwick goes to France as Edward's sister-in-law; he and the French king are furious and humiliated when word comes that Edware has abruptly married Elizabeth instead 6 deputy to secure a betrothal with the King of France's