8 enforcement coercion/rape
9 tyranny for trifles severe punishment of minor crimes/oppressive behavior even with regard to trivialities 10 got begot, conceived
15 Laid open revealed/described/elaborated on
16 discipline strategic skill
17 bounty generosity fair honorable
18 fitting for relevant to
19 slightly neglectfully
30 recorder civic official in the City of London
32 inferred alleged
33 in ... himself on his own authority
35 hall i.e. the Guildhall
37 the vantage advantage
39 general public/widespread
40 Argues demonstrates
41 even here at this point
41 brake broke
42 blocks blockheads, idiots
43 brethren members of the town corporation
44 Intend pretend, feign
44 fear an intimidating manner/religious veneration/fearfulness 45 suit request, entreaty
46 look make sure
48 ground base melody
48 descant accompaniment to or improvised variation on the ground, or underlying melody 49 won persuaded
50 maid's young woman's/virgin's
50 still constantly, repeatedly
50 and take it yet have sex all the same
52 for myself on my own behalf/for my own advantage
53 issue outcome
54 leads lead-covered flat roof
55 dance attendance am being kept waiting, am eager to be seen 61 bent occupied, concerned/bent over (in prayer)
62 suits affairs, petitions (especially legal)
63 exercise prayers
66 deep very important, profound
66 moment significance
67 No less importing concerning no less a matter
71 lulling lolling, reclining
73 dallying toying sexually, having sex
73 brace pair
74 deep learned, profoundly wise
74 divines priests
75 engross fatten
76 watchful alert/awake
77 Happy fortunate
78 his grace plays on the ducal title and on the sense of "divine grace" (suggesting a God-given right to the crown) 80 defend forbid
89 perfect complete
92 beads rosary beads
93 zealous pious, devout
93.1 aloft i.e. on the upper staging level, or gallery 95 props supports
96 stay keep fall of moral fall caused by
102 right rightful/genuine, true/extremely
106 visitation visit (especially by an ecclesiastical body); Richard is deliberately employing language with religious connotations 111 disgracious disilked
112 reprehend my ignorance rebuke me for the fault I am unaware of 115 Else ... land? Why else do I live as a Christian (if not to amend my faults)?
118 sceptred involving the bearing of a royal scepter
119 state position, rank/kingship
119 of fortune to which fortune entitles you
120 lineal hereditary
121 blemished morally tainted (through illegitimacy)
121 stock family tree (sense subsequently shifts to "tree trunk") 124 want lack
124 proper rightful, own
125 infamy bad reputation, disgrace
126 graft grafted, i.e. united (as in horticulture) 126 plants may pun on "Plantagenet"
127 shouldered shoved (possibly "immersed up to the shoulders") 127 gulf abyss/whirlpool
129 recure redress, cure
133 factor agent
134 successively by right of succession
135 empery sovereign dominions
136 consorted united, in league
137 worshipful honorable/respectful
139 move persuade
142 degree rank or perhaps "spiritual condition"
142 condition social status
143 not to I do not
143 haply perhaps
144 yielded consented
146 fondly foolishly
149 checked (would have) rebuked
153 desert Unmeritable unworthiness
155 cut away with sinister connotations of "cut off, killed"
156 even direct, smooth
157 revenue possession/yield, income
160 greatness i.e. kingship
161 bark ship
161 brook endure, withstand
162 in ... hid desire to be enveloped by greatness
163 vapour mist/spray
165 much I need I would need a great deal (i.e. I am inadequate) 166 royal tree i.e. King Edward IV
167 mellowed matured
167 stealing creeping (forward)
168 become suit, befit
168 seat throne
170 that what
171 happy auspicious, favorable
172 defend forbid
172 wring wrench
173 argues shows, is evidence of
174 respects thereof factors in your argument
174 nice unimportant, trifling
178 contract ... vow the verbal contract entered into at betrothal was considered binding 180 substitute deputy, delegate
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-derived 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 t
a'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
39 haughty proud, aspiring
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 replenished 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 adult
erous (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
Richard III (Modern Library Classics) Page 27