Shakespeare's Richard III, Discussion and Summary

I finally get through Richard III, the story of a charming villain and his downfall.
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[@malcolmwilliamsmuwoola9238]

this is amazing. indepth analysis and it shows the inter relations between the plays. im preparing for an exam and this has helped more than i could have imagined

[@Nancenotes]

@@malcolmwilliamsmuwoola9238 Glad I could help!

[@EFX5452]

"My kingdom for a horse!!"
😂 That was the best delivery and use of props!

[@Nancenotes]

Producer credit to my son Arthur for loaning me his horse.

[@EFX5452]

@@Nancenotes 😂 Thank you Arthur!

[@marissanowicki3027]

I just wanna say your videos helped me past my Lit Crit Class last semester!! THANK YOUUU

[@marissanowicki3027]

pass oml lol

[@lilavigne3830]

Thank you so much for this video !

[@tomservo75]

I've been waiting for this one for a long time! It's hard to feel bad for Buckingham, even at the end. How did he really think this would end?! You sleep with sharks, you get bit. One thing that's kind of bugged me though is the scene with Catesby going to talk to Hastings. Something you didn't mention was the first part of the scene where Stanley's servant goes to Hastings to talk about the dream that Richard is out to get them. Is this a coincidence? Did Stanley really have the dream? Did he somehow find out about the plot and is trying to warn Hastings? And that was before Catesby arrived. That sequence of events is a mystery to me.
Also (boy would this make a good "Choose Your Own Adventure" book) what would have happened at the council meeting, if Hastings had kept silent after the accusation of Elizabeth? Hastings was not a fan of Elizabeth, it would seem to me he'd be more likely to say, "Damn that woman how could she do this to you?" What would Richard have done if Hastings played along?
I'm probably one of the 0.05% of people (outside of Brits and English majors) who have read/watched this play purely for pleasure, because the whole Wars of the Roses saga fascinates me to no end, I'm glad to see all these analyses, each time noticing something I didn't the first time.

[@Nancenotes]

Thanks for the comments! Yes, I feel like I could have gone more in depth with this one, but as I already failed abysmally to keep it close to my goal of 25 minutes, I couldn’t add anything else! Maybe I’ll do an act by act analysis of this one someday, and spread it out as a series. Anyway, I think the dream conversation is mostly dramatic irony, but I could be wrong.
Also, as a side note that comes to mind from your username, my uncle who taught me to love both Shakespeare and MST3000 as a young man just passed away this week. Here’s to excellent uncles and great art.

[@dimzaytsev4052]

In fact, it always seemed to me, that Buckingham was plotting to get Richard on the throne, while perceiving himself as the leading figure in their duo, and possibly looking forward to become a REAL figure of power behind Richard. Notice how Richard always plays the part of simple-minded, pious guy in public. Could he have fooled Buckingham into it as well? Not into believing him being completely unambitious, but rather appearing as a plotter of a mediocre sort, the one in need of guidance. And then just playing the part of apprentice of Buckingham, while in reality being two steps ahead and letting his cousin do all the dirty work.

[@geoffreybomber]

Fantastic. Thank you.

[@naly202]

I wonder if JK was inspired by Richard III when she wrote about the ghosts encouraging Harry Potter before his battle with Voldemort.

[@Nancenotes]

Good thought! I’d never made that connection.

[@Laocoon283]

And clarence parents had a real nice marriage - a modern day poet

[@atma]

I am a big fan of yours Sir

[@josiebaker5652]

You’re a wonderful little elf xx

[@ms-dz6yf]

Hello Mr. Nance, are there any lessons to learn from Richard III besides the danger of power?

[@Nancenotes]

Don’t be sarcastic to your creepy uncle. Or maybe, “Be sure your sins will find you out.” Or maybe, the worst guys always get the girl.

[@triplethreatsteph]

thank you!!!! this helps me tremendously as Im delivering Annes monologue "Set down Set down...." I have to understand the wholeee story and its alot! Do you have any specific info on Lady Anne?! thank you =D