181 sister sister-in-law
182 petitioner Elizabeth Grey catches Edward’s eye when she entreats him for the return of her dead husband’s lands (see 3 Henry VI, Act 3 Scene 2)
183 care-crazed fraught, worn out with anxiety
186 purchase booty, plunder
186 wanton lustful
187 pitch height (literally, the highest point in a falcon’s flight)
188 base declension descent to baseness
188 bigamy i.e. because Edward had been engaged to two other women previously
190 our manners courtesy
191 expostulate expound on, argue about
192 some alive i.e. Richard and Edward’s mother, the Duchess of York
193 sparing considerate, forbearing
195 benefit benevolent bestowal
195 dignity honor, high rank, kingship
199 true-derivèd legitimate, directly descended
203 care duty, trouble, source of anxiety
207 as being, because (you are)
207 zeal devotion
210 effeminate tender, gentle
212 estates social ranks
226 buckle i.e. like armor;
226 my back draws attention to Richard’s hunched back
230 sequel consequences
231 Your … me the fact that you forced me shall acquit me mere absolute
241 Even just, exactly
Act 4 Scene 1
4.1 Location: outside the Tower of London
4.1 Anne … Gloucester i.e. Lady Anne, who has married Richard at some point since his wooing of her in Act 1 Scene 2
4.1 leading a girl probably Clarence’s daughter
1 niece granddaughter
4 tender young
10 like devotion same devoted purpose
11 gratulate greet, welcome
17 suffer allow
22 bounds boundaries
25 in law i.e. by marriage
27 office responsibility, official duty
31 mother mother-in-law (of Elizabeth and Anne)
32 looker-on beholder two fair queens i.e. Elizabeth and Anne (as wife of Richard, who is shortly to be crowned)
33 straight (go) straightaway
35 lace cords that fastened the tightly laced bodice (often cut when a woman became faint)
36 pent confined, penned in
38 Despiteful cruel, malicious
44 Richmond i.e. Henry Tudor, Earl of Richmond (later Henry VII), who had sought refuge in Brittany
44 from away from
45 hie hurry
47 thrall slave
48 Nor neither
48 counted accounted, acknowledged
51 letters … way i.e. the letters will be sent to Dorset while en route/the letters will ask George Stanley to meet Dorset on the way and assist his journey/the letters will enable Dorset to be introduced to and assisted by Richmond when he reaches Brittany
51 son stepson (Richmond), or possibly Stanley’s own son George
53 ta’en tardy caught by surprise
54 ill-dispersing evil-spreading
56 cockatrice basilisk, a mythical reptile that could kill with its gaze
57 unavoided unavoidable
60 inclusive enclosing
60 verge band, rim
63 Anointed anointing with holy oil was a key part of the coronation
66 To … harm Do not wish yourself harm just to satisfy my mood
70 other angel husband my other (first) husband, who was an angel/my first husband, who was a different (i.e. good) type of angel (implying that Richard is the fallen angel Lucifer)
74 old experienced/worn-out
81 Grossly stupidly/excessively/coarsely
86 timorous full of fear
87 Warwick with Clarence, the Earl of Warwick deserted the Yorkist cause
89 complaining lamentations
98 teen grief, suffering
101 immured imprisoned, closed in
103 Rude harsh, rough
103 ragged rugged, eroded
103 sullen dismal, melancholy
105 So such/thus foolish fond, doting
Act 4 Scene 2
4.2 Location: the royal court, London
4.2 pomp ceremony, splendor, celebration
1 apart aside
9 play the touch act the touchstone (used to test the validity of gold)
10 try test
10 current genuine
17 consequence outcome
18 true noble prince Richard adapts Buckingham’s phrase so that it applies to Edward
19 wont … dull accustomed to be so stupid
21 suddenly immediately
26 breath breathing space
27 positively definitively, directly
28 resolve answer
30 iron-witted dull-witted, stupid, obtuse
31 unrespective inattentive, disrespectful
32 considerate thoughtful
33 High-reaching ambitious
37 close secret
40 orators persuasive speakers
45 deep-revolving deeply thoughtful, musing
45 witty sharp, clever
46 counsels secrets, confidences
47 held out kept up
55 take order make arrangements
55 close shut away
56 mean humble, low-ranking
58 The boy i.e. Clarence’s son
59 how thou dream’st i.e. pay attention (perhaps Catesby is shocked)
59 give Out make it known
61 it … upon it is very important for me
63 brother’s daughter i.e. Edward IV’s daughter Elizabeth
67 pluck on draw on
68 Tear-falling pity mercy, compassion that induces weeping
72 Prove test, try
73 friend plays on the sense of “relative”
78 deal upon deal with, act against
80 open unrestricted
83 token some symbol of authority, perhaps a ring
84 There … so that is all there is to it
85 prefer advance, promote
88 late recent
88 sound me in ask me about
91 he i.e. Richmond
93 pawned pledged
94 movables portable property
96 look to beware, watch
97 answer be answerable for
101 peevish foolish, childish
103 resolve answer, satisfy
104 vein mood
108 Brecknock Brecon in Wales, Buckingham’s family seat
Act 4 Scene 3
2 arch extreme, foremost
4 suborn bribe
5 ruthful lamentable, sad
6 fleshed experienced (hunting term referring to feeding hounds with raw meat to excite them for the chase)
8 their … story In telling the sad story of their deaths
10 girdling hugging, encircling
11 alabaster i.e. white (the substance was often used for human figures that formed part of funeral monuments)
15 Which one which, which thing
18 replenishèd complete, perfect
19 prime first
19 framed created
20 gone overcome
22 bloody bloodthirsty
26 gave in charge ordered
34 soon and i.e. soon
35 process account, story
37 be … desire you shall get what you wish
40 close securely, privately
41 meanly … marriage I have married to a low-ranking man
42 Abraham’s bosom i.e. heaven
44 for because Breton from Brittany (where Richmond is taking refuge)
46 by that knot through that marriage
49 bluntly unceremoniously, abruptly
50 Morton John Morton, Bishop of Ely (whom Richard asks for strawberries in Act 3 Scene 4)
51 hardy bold, resolute
52 power army
53 near deeply
54 rash-levied rapidly mustered
55 fearful commenting nervous talk
56 leaden servitor the slow servant
57 leads precedes, generates
57 beggary ruin
58 expedition speed, quick action
59 Jove’s Mercury swift messenger of Jove, king of the Roman gods
60 My … shield the best advice is to arm myself/arms shall be my advisers (i.e. let us not waste time discussing matters)
61 brief swift
61 brave the field challenge us on the battlefield
Act 4 Scene 4
4.4 Location: unspecified; probably somewhere near the royal court
1 mellow ripen
3 confines regions, territories (of England)
5 induction introduction, opening scene
6 consequence unfolding events and their conclusion
10 unblowed young and unopened, not yet in bloom
10 sweets flowers/dear ones
12 in doom perpetual eternally in the place appointed for you
15 right for right even-handed justice
17 crazed cracked
19 Edward Plantagenet could refer to Edward IV or his son
20 quit requite, repay
21 Edward for Edward probably refers to Elizabeth’s son and Margaret’s (with Henry VI)
23 entrails insides, intestines
25 Harry Henry VI (Margaret’s husband)
27 grave’s … usurped i.e. one who should have died but remains living
28 abstract summary/epitome
29 lawful own proper, that is rightfully England’s
31 thou i.e. the earth
31 afford offer
36 seniory seniority
37 on … hand from the superior position
38 admit society permit company
39 Edward Margaret’s son with Henry VI (murdered by Richard, Edward IV and Clarence; see 3 Henry VI. Act 5 Scene 5)
40 husband Henry VI (murdered by Richard; see 3 Henry VI, Act 5 Scene 6)
41 Edward Elizabeth’s eldest son with Edward IV
42 Richard Elizabeth’s second son, the young Duke of York
43 Richard the Duke of York, the Duchess’ husband (killed by Margaret and Clifford; see 3 Henry VI, Act 1 Scene 4)
44 Rutland the Duchess’ youngest son (murdered by Clifford; see 3 Henry VI, Act 1 Scene 3)
44 holp’st helped
48 teeth … eyes i.e. could bite before he could see properly; Richard was born with teeth
49 worry seize by the throat
50 defacer … handiwork i.e. murderer (perhaps also alludes to Richard’s own deformed physique)
51 galled irritated, swollen (from weeping)
52 excellent supreme
54 upright righteous, just
54 true-disposing arranging all justly
55 carnal cur flesh-eating dog
56 issue offspring, children
57 pew-fellow fellow mourner
57 moan lamentations, grief
58 triumph glory, exult
61 cloy me gorge myself
62 Thy Edward Edward IV
62 my Edward Margaret’s son with Henry VI
63 other Edward Elizabeth’s eldest son with Edward IV
64 Young York Elizabeth’s second son, the young Duke of York
64 but boot merely added to make up the total
64 both they Edward IV and his eldest son
65 perfection … loss completeness, extent of the loss I experience/excellence of the people I have lost
67 frantic mad, frenzied
68 Th’adulterate the adulterous (Hastings; refers to his affair with Jane Shore)
70 intelligencer spy, secret agent
71 Only reserved solely kept alive (to be)/exclusively selected (as)
71 factor agent, representative
80 bottled swollen (with venom), rounded, bottle-shaped
80 bunch-backed hunchbacked
81 vain flourish meaningless, frivolous adornment
82 shadow illusory, fragile image/actor
82 painted artificial/made-up with cosmetics
83 presentation imitation
84 flattering index deceptively attractive prologue
84 pageant play
86 mocked taunted/imitated, play-acted
87 dream mere image
87 flag army’s identifying banner, highly visible in battle/type of flower belonging to the iris family
89 sign mere symbol/military banner
89 dignity monarchy
90 in jest for entertainment/pretend
90 fill the fulfill the requirements of/make up numbers in
93 sues pays court, entreats
94 bending bowing/yielding
95 troops retinues
96 Decline go through in order (grammatical term)
97 For instead of
98 mother
98 name i.e. of
100 caitiff wretch
100 care troubles, grief
101 of by
104 course … about an image that recalls the popular conception of fortune as a wheel that raised humans up and cast them down as it came full circle
105 very absolute
106 thought i.e. memory
113 mischance misfortune
117 Forbear refrain, refuse
121 Bett’ring amplifying
121 bad causer person responsible for the evil
122 Revolving considering, reflecting on
123 dull lifeless, sluggish/blunt
123 quicken enliven/sharpen
126 Windy … woes (words are) empty, wind-blown representatives of the grief of the speakers
127 intestine internal (both in the sense of “experienced within” and in the sense of “digestive,” the latter making words into farts)
129 scope range, room
134 exclaims outcries, exclamations
135 expedition military enterprise/haste
136 might i.e. should
138 From i.e. to prevent
140 branded i.e. branded with
141 owed owned
143 villain wicked one/servant
148 flourish trumpet fanfare (usually signaling the arrival or departure of a person in authority)
148 alarum call to arms
149 tell-tale prattling
150 Rail rant
150 lord’s anointed i.e. the king, supposedly chosen by God and anointed with holy oil at the coronation to signify this
151 entreat me fair plead with me courteously
152 report loud noise, specifically the explosion of a gun or cannon
156 impatience anger
157 condition temperament
158 brook … reproof bear the language of rebuke
163 stayed waited
166 rood cross
169 Tetchy fretful
169 wayward willful, obstinate
170 frightful frightening
170 desp’rate reckless
171 prime early years
172 age confirmed maturity
173 kind in hatred concealing hatred in kindness (kind may play on the sense of “natural”)
174 comfortable cheerful, comforting
176 Humphrey Hour unclear: possibly a reference to “dining with Duke Humphrey.” which meant going hungry, or perhaps an actual person is meant
176 grace puns on graced
177 forth out
186 ordinance law (plays on the sense of “artillery”)
187 turn return
191 tire may it weigh heavy on, exhaust
192 complete full, well-equipped
195 Whisper whisper to
198 serves supplies/accompanies
198 doth i.e. will
205 level aim, set your target sights
209 manners morals/courteous habits
210 false unfaithful
211 veil shroud (usually associated with either modesty or mourning)
212 So provided
212 of by
216 safest … birth only safeguarded by her high birth
218 opposite hostile, antagonistic
219 friends also “relatives”
219 contrary opposed
220 unavoided unavoidable
220 doom decree/destined judgment/condemnation
221 avoided grace an absence of God’s grace (i.e. Richard)
222 fairer better/nobler/more just
225 cozened cheated
227 Whose hand soever whoever’s hand
227 lanched pierced
228 head brain/instigation/command
228 all indirectly through indirect means (plays on the sense of “wrongly”)
232 But … use did not the constant experience
235 bay cove, inlet/point at which the cornered deer turns to face the hounds pursuing it
236 poor bark shabby, ill-equipped ship
236 tackling rigging
236 reft deprived
237 Rush am dashed
238 thrive I may I thrive
238 enterprise military undertaking
239 dangerous success risky outcome
240 As only as far as
242 covered … heaven i.e. concealed by God
243 discovered revealed
244 Th’advancement the promotion, favoring (Elizabeth responds to the literal sense)
245 scaffold raised platform on which executions took place
246 dignity honor, high rank
247 type symbol, emblem
248 Flatter increase, pander to/alleviate, mollify
249 state high rank
250 demise convey, transfer (legal term)
251 Even exactly
252 endow bestow upon/give as a dowry
253 So if
253 Lethe in Greek mythology, the river in the underworld that induced forgetfulness in any who drank from or were immersed in it
254 remembrance memory
256 process story, narrative
257 telling in the telling
257 date duration, end
259 thinks i.e. believes
261 from Elizabeth now shifts the sense to “away from, at variance with”
264 confound overturn, destroy
270 How what
273 humour temperament
277 engrave inscribe (plays on the sense of “place in the grave”)
278 haply probably/perhaps
279 sometime once, formerly
282 purple blood-red
283 withal with it
286 mad’st away disposed of, killed
288 conveyance removal, dispatch (playing on the senses of “stealing” and “deceit, trickery”)
292 shape appearance/role/disguise
296 spoil booty gained from plunder
297 Look what whatever
298 deal act, behave (plays on the sense of “kill”)
299 after-hours later moments
302 issue offspring, children
303 quicken give life to