English Literature books summary

go, before leaving the stage. Buckingham tells Richard to go with them, so

that no one will think that he is plotting to seize the throne.

Act Two, Scene Three

Some citizens discuss the fact that King Edward is dead. They are afraid of

a fight to seize the thrown, with one of them commenting, "Woe to the land

that's governed by a child" (2.3.11). Their fear is that Richard or the

sons and brother of the Queen will attempt to overthrow the young monarch.

Act Two, Scene Four

Queen Elizabeth, the Duchess of York, the Lord Cardinal, and the young Duke

of York discuss the the stories of Richard's childhood. Shakespeare alludes

to a myth that he was born with teeth. Dorset enters the room with bad

news.

He tells them that Buckingham and Richard have imprisoned Lord Rivers and

Lord Gray. The Queen is frightened for her family, which she clearly sees

being wiped out if Richard can get his way. She decides to go into

sanctuary, meaning a church, with the young Duke of York so that they will

have protection. The sanctuary is initially for forty days.

Act Three, Scene One

The young Prince Edward, accompanied by Richard and Buckingham and several

other men, has arrived in London. He immediately asks where his mother and

brother York are, and why they have not come to see him. Hastings tells the

prince that his mother sought sanctuary. Buckingham cleverly argues that

the young York may not have sanctuary since he is only a child and

therefore has not reason to hide, since he has obviously not committed any

crimes.

Richard then asks the prince if he is willing to spend the night in the

Tower of London, which is the traditional place for kings to stay on the

night before their coronation. Edward, however, fears the Tower as a prison

and is reluctant. Richard convinces him it is better to stay there since it

is so well protected.

The young York arrives and he and Prince Edward depart for the Tower.

Richard tells Catesby to see whether Lord Hastings can be won over to his

side, rather than supporting Prince Edward. Catesby thinks that Hastings

will defend Prince Edward, and Richard indicates that he will kill him if

that is the case. Richard also mentions that there will be "divided

councels" the next morning, meaning a public council for Edward's

coronation, and a private council to plot for Richard.

Act Three, Scene Two

Lord Hastings is rudely awakened at four in the morning by a messenger. He

is told that Lord Stanley is there to see him, having had a bad dream in

which he was beheaded by a boar (Richard's emblem is the boar). Catesby

arrives before Stanley and tells Hastings that Richard wants the crown of

England, but Hastings announces that he will die before Richard be allowed

to wear the crown.

Catesby then tells Hastings that his enemies, the Queen's sons and her

brother, are to be executed that day. Stanley arrives and announces that he

is upset about the fact that there are two separate councils. He and

Catesby leave for the Tower of London. A pursuivant (basically, a messenger

with the authority to serve an arrest warrant) enters and receives some

money from Hastings. Buckingham then enters and Hastings tells him that he

will eat lunch at the Tower. Buckingham indicates to the audience that

Hastings will also eat supper there, although he does not yet know it.

Act Three, Scene Three

Gray and Rivers are forced onto stage as prisoners, while Ratcliffe watches

over them. The two condemned men remark that it is Margaret's curse which

has condemned them to die. Rivers remarks, "Then cursed she Hastings; then

cursed she Buckingham; Then cursed she Richard." (3.3.16) The men then

embrace and agree to meet again in heaven.

Act Three, Scene Four

A council meets in the Tower to discuss when the coronation day for Edward

should be held. Richard enters late, bids the men a good day, and calls

Buckingham aside. Buckingham tells Richard that Hastings will never support

him.

Hastings says that it is a good thing that Richard is in such good spirits,

because it means he does not dislike any of the men present. Buckingham and

Richard reenter the room. Richard asks what the punishment for traitors

should be, to which Hastings replies that they deserve death. Richard then

blames the Queen and Mrs. Shore (who is the mistress of Hastings) with

having caused his malformed arm. He accuses Hastings of protecting Shore,

and orders the council to behead Hastings. Richard then leaves, followed by

most of the council.

Act Three, Scene Five

The Lord Mayor of London arrives at the Tower. Catesby delivers Hastings'

head, at which point both Buckingham and Richard must try to mollify the

Lord Mayor. They tell him that Hastings was plotting against them both, and

that he confessed as much in the Tower. They ask the Lord Mayor to inform

the people of what happened, since he is better placed to placate the

masses then they are.

Richard then sends Buckingham to follow the Lord Mayor. He wants Buckingham

to tell the people that the children of Edward are illegitimate, which

would require that the eldest illegitimate child should take the throne.

Richard then wants Buckingham to convince the people that he is also an

illegitimate child of Edward, and thus he should receive the throne.

Act Three, Scene Six

A scrivener enters, with a paper that fully details the treachery of Lord

Hastings. The paper is meant to support Richard and Buckingham, but the

scrivener points out that it took eleven hours to write, during which time

Hastings was still alive. The scrivener asks who is so foolish that they

cannot see the discrepancy in times, but he answers his own question by

remarking, "Yet who so bold but says he sees it not?" (3.6.12)

Act Three, Scene Seven

Buckingham informs Richard that his speech to the crowd went over very

badly. He says that having told the crowd everything, he asked them to

shout out their support of Richard. Since not a single person responded, he

then had the Recorder tell them again, at which point only a few of his own

men threw up their caps and yelled, "God save King Richard!"

In order to overcome this problem, Buckingham and Richard plan to stage a

silent play. Richard grabs a prayer book and goes to stands between two

churchmen on the balcony. The Lord Mayor arrives with some aldermen and

citizens. Buckingham tells them that Richard is currently meditating, and

does not wish to speak with anyone.

Buckingham finally speaks to Richard, who remains on the balcony, and

offers him the throne in front of all the assembled masses. Richard

declines, saying it is better for Edward to be the king. Buckingham pleads

with him, and Richard again turns him down. Buckingham then exits. A

citizen tells Richard that the land will fall into chaos if he does not

accept his position. Richard then calls them back, saying, "Call them

again. I am not made of stone" (3.7.214) He accepts the throne and begs the

Lord Mayor to tell everyone how reluctant he was to become the king.

Act Four, Scene One

Queen Elizabeth, the Duchess of York and Lady Anne (now Richard's wife) ask

to be let into the Tower to see Prince Edward and young York. Brackenbury

forbids them to enter, saying, "The King hath strictly charged the

contrary" (4.1.17). He realizes his slip of the tongue and corrects himself

by saying, "I mean, the Lord Protector."

Stanley enters and orders Lady Anne to Westminster Abbey, where she is to

be crowned queen. Queen Elizabeth, realizing that Richard has succeeded at

seizing the throne, orders her son Dorset to go to Henry Tudor, Earl of

Richmond. Stanley agrees with her and sends the young man away. Elizabeth

decides to return to sanctuary, while the other women choose to flee to

Richmond.

Act Four, Scene Two

King Richard asks Buckingham if he will support him in killing Prince

Edward. Buckingham is reluctant, and begs for a while to consider the

issue. Richard thinks that Buckingham is too ambitious, and becomes

suspicious of him.

Richard then calls a page over, and asks if the man know anyone willing to

kill for a sum of money. The page tells him that a man named Tyrell would

be happy to serve him. Richard then tells the audience that he is plotting

to kill Buckingham.

Next he speaks with Catesby, telling him to start rumors that Lady Anne is

ill. Richard also plans to marry Clarence's daughter to a non-nobleman, but

will let her brother Edward live since he is "simpleminded."

Tyrell is being dispatched to kill the two young boys still living in the

Tower when Buckingham arrives. Buckingham asks Richard for the Dukedom he

was promised earlier in the play. Richard instead talks about the fact that

Richmond is prophesied to become the king, and that he was told he would

not live long after seeing Henry Tudor's face. Buckingham continues asking,

but Richard then remarks that he is not in the "giving vein." Buckingham

realizes his life is in danger, and prepares to flee.

Act Four, Scene Three

Tyrrell, the murderer sent by Richard to kill the Edward's children,

returns having done the deed. He tells Richard that they are dead, and is

invited to dinner that night in order to tell how he killed them.

Ratcliffe enters running, and informs Richard that the Bishop of Ely has

fled to join Richmond, while Buckingham has started raising an army.

Richard is shaken by the fact that all of his top lieutenants are either

dead or have fled from him. He orders his armies to be quickly assembled so

that he can overcome his traitors.

Act Four, Scene Four

Old Queen Margaret emerges and says that she has patiently watched the

destruction of her enemies. She informs the audience of her plan to go to

France where she hopes to see the few remaining enemies die tragic deaths.

She then tells Queen Elizabeth that her curse is coming true, and that she

is being revenged for her losses. Elizabeth begs Margaret to teach her how

to curse, so that she too may have revenge.

Richard enters and is immediately abused by the women present. His mother,

the Duchess of York, demands that he listen to her, which he unwillingly

does. She finishes her remarks with a curse on Richard, namely that he

should die in the battles he is about to fight.

Richard then speaks with Queen Elizabeth. He tells her that he wants her

daughter Elizabeth to be his queen. She scorns his suggestion, and tells

him to write her daughter a letter describing all of her relatives that he

has killed. Richard does not like the way she mocks him, and continues

pleading with her to help him win her daughter's hand. She finally agrees

to go talk with her daughter, and Richard assumes that he is victorious.

Ratcliffe enters and tells Richard that Richmond is already arriving with

ships on the western shore. Richard, in the first moment of confusion he

has ever shown, hastily issues orders and then is forced to contradict

himself. He states, "My mind is changed" (4.4.387)

Stanley enters and informs Richard that Richmond is almost upon them.

Richard accuses him of treachery, and orders him assemble an army. Stanley,

in order to prove his trustworthiness, allows Richard to keep his son.

Several messengers arrive and give both mixed good and bad news. Richmond

manages to finally land at Milford, a relatively unpopulated area which is

ideal for and invading army. However, Catesby enters the scene to tell

Richard that Buckingham has been captured.

Act Four, Scene Five

Stanley tells a priest to go to Richmond and inform him that Stanley is

unable to join his side because Richard is holding Stanley's son in

custody. He also mentions that Queen Elizabeth has agreed to let Richmond

marry her daughter once he defeats Richard.

Act Five, Scene One

Buckingham, having been captured, is led on stage and gives his last

speech. He comments that it is All-Souls' Day, a day when all executions

are normally postponed, and also a day when spirits are supposed to walk on

the earth, as will happen in the next scenes. Buckingham then recalls

Margaret's curse on him, and says, "Thus Margaret's curse falls heavy on my

neck / .../ Remember Margaret was a prophetess" (5.1.25,27).

Act Five, Scene Two

Henry of Richmond enters and encourages his men. He gives them images of

peace and prosperity as their payoff for defeating Richard. "The wretched,

bloody, and usurping boar, / That spoils your summer fields and fruitful

vines, / .../ In God's name, cheerly on, courageous friends, / To reap the

harvest of perpetual peace" (5.2.7-8, 14-15).

Act Five, Scene Three

Richard enters on the other side of the stage and tells his men to set up

camp on Bosworth field. He ascertains that his army is three times the size

of Richmond's, and plans to be busy with the battle plans the next morning.

Act Five, Scene Four

Henry of Richmond enters and prophetically says, "the weary sun hath made a

golden set," implying the demise of Richard (who now represents the sun,

the symbol of the king). Richmond then sends a note to Stanley, who is

willing to betray Richard. The men wish each other a "quiet rest tonight."

Act Five, Scene Five

Richard decides that he will not eat, saying, "I will not sup tonight"

(5.5.3). He then has his men post several guards and makes Ratcliffe set up

a pen and paper for him. Richard also orders Catesby to tell Stanley to

bring his force the next morning, or have his son killed. He writes some,

and then falls asleep.

On the other side of the stage Richmond enters, accompanied by Stanley.

Stanley informs him that he will try to deceive Richard as best he can, and

will delay for as long as possible. Richmond then attempts to fall asleep,

worried that he will not be fresh for the battle. After a short prayer, he

too falls asleep.

A parade of ghosts representing those whom Richard has killed during his

lifetime comes out onto the stage. Each ghost stops and tells Richard,

"Despair, and die." To Richmond they say, "Live and flourish." The ghosts

appear almost in the order in which they were killed, starting with Prince

Edward, King Henry, Clarence, Rivers, Gray, Vaughan, the two young Princes,

Hastings, Lady Anne, and lastly Buckingham.

Richard awakes and holds an internal dialogue in which he berates his

conscience for giving him bad dreams. "What do I fear? Myself? There's none

else by" (5.5.136). He continues in this vein, first blaming and then

defending himself for a short while. Ratcliffe enters and gets Richard to

come join his troops.

Richmond awakes and happily remembers his dream in which the dead souls

promised him victory. He then gives a speech to rally his troops, promising

to protect their wives, free their children, and create peace throughout

the land.

Act Five, Scene Six

The sun refuses to rise when it should, causing Richard to state that, "A

black day will it be to somebody." He then gives his oration to his army.

It is about disorder, and he encourages them to fight to prevent Richmond

from destroying their lands and abusing their wives. His last words are,

"Shall these enjoy our lands? Lie with our wives? Ravish our daughters?"

(5.6.66).

A messenger then informs Richard that Stanley has defected to Richmond's

side. Richard calls out for Stanley's son to be killed, but the enemy is

already so close that he cannot carry out that command.

Act Five, Scene Seven

Richard's horse has been overthrown, and he now fights on foot. Richard

calls out, "A horse! A horse! My kingdom for a horse!" (5.7.7) He then

remarks that there must be six Richmonds on the field, since he has already

slain five and none of them were Richmond. (This alludes to the practice of

dressing common soldiers as kings, so that he enemy could be fooled into

chasing the wrong man.)

Act Five, Scene Eight

Richmond and Richard both come out onto stage and fight, during which

Richard is killed. Stanley takes the crown and places it on Richmond's

head, making him King Henry VII. King Henry immediately pardons the enemy

soldiers, and makes sure that Stanley's son is still alive. He then looks

forward to marrying Elizabeth's daughter, which will unite the houses of

Lancaster and York and end the War of the Roses. His final words are,

"Peace lives again / That she may long live here, God say, 'Amen'."

Romeo and Juliet

Prologue

The chorus introduces the play, and tells the audience that two families in

Verona have reignited an ancient feud. Two lovers, one from each family,

commit suicide after trying to run away from their families. The loss of

their children compels the families to end the feud.

Act One, Scene One

The servants of the Capulets are on the street waiting for some servants of

the Montague's to arrive. When they do, Samson from the Capulets bites his

thumb at them, essentially a strong insult. Abraham from the Montague's

accepts the insult and the men start to fight.

Benvolio, Romeo's cousin, enters and makes the men stop fighting by drawing

his own sword. Tybalt, Juliet's cousin, then also enters the street. Seeing

Benvolio, he too draws his sword and enters the fight.

Old Capulet runs onto the stage and demands a sword so that he too may

fight. His wife restrains him, even when Old Montague emerges with his

sword drawn as well. The Citizens of the Watch have put up a cry, and

manage to get Prince Escalus to arrive. The Prince chides them for three

times before causing the street of Verona to be unsafe. He orders them to

return home, and personally accompanies the Capulets.

The Montagues and Benvolio remain on stage. They ask Benvolio why Romeo was

not with him, and he tells them Romeo has been in a strange mood lately.

When Romeo appears, the Montagues ask Benvolio to find out what is wrong,

and then depart. Romeo informs Benvolio that he is in love with a woman

named Rosaline who wishes to remain chaste for the rest of her life, which

is why he is so depressed.

Act One, Scene Two

Paris pleads with Capulet to let him marry Juliet, who is still only a girl

of thirteen. Capulet tells him to wait, but decides to allow Paris to woo

her and try to win her heart. He then tells his servant Peter to take a

list of names and invite the people to a masked ball he is hosting that

evening.

Peter meets Romeo on the street, and being unable to read, asks Romeo to

help read the list for him. Romeo does, and realizes that the girl he

loves, Rosaline, will be attending this party. Peter tells him that it will

be held at Capulet's house, and that his is invited if he wishes to come.

Both Benvolio and Romeo decide to go.

Act One, Scene Three

Lady Capulet asks the Nurse to call for Juliet. She does, and then tells

Lady Capulet that Juliet will be fourteen in under two weeks. She then

digresses and speaks of how Juliet was as a child, causing both Juliet and

her mother embarassment.

The mother tells Juliet that Paris has come to marry her. She then

describes Paris as being beautiful, and compares him to a fine book that

only lacks a cover. Juliet does not promise anything, but agrees to at

least look at the man that night at dinner.

Act One, Scene Four

Romeo, Mercutio and Benvolio are making their way to the masked party.

Romeo is still depressed, even though he gets to see Rosaline. Mercutio

tries to cheer him up by telling a story about Queen Mab, a fictitious elf

that infiltrates men's dreams. Romeo finally shushes him and comments that

he is afraid of the consequences of going to this party.

Act One, Scene Five

Romeo stands to the side during the dancing, and it is from this spot that

he first sees Juliet. He immediately falls in love with her. Tybalt sees

him and recognizes him as Romeo Montague. However, before Tybalt can creat

a scene, Old Capulet tells him to leave Romeo alone, since it would look

bad to have a brawl in the middle of the festivities.

Romeo finds Juliet and touches her hand. They speak in sonnet form to one

another, and Romeo eventually gets to kiss her. However, Juliet is forced

to go see her mother. The Nurse tells Romeo that Juliet is a Capulet, at

which he is startled.

Juliet finds her Nurse at the end of the party and begs her to find out who

Romeo is. The Nurse returns and tells her he is Romeo, the only son of the

Montague family. Juliet is heart-broken that she loves a "loathed enemy"

(1.5.138).

Act Two, Introduction

The chorus introduces the next act, saying that Romeo has given up his old

desire for a new affection. Juliet is likewise described as being in love.

Both lovers share the problem that they cannot see each other without

risking death, but the chorus indicates that passion will overcome that

hurdle.

Act Two, Scene One

Romeo enters and leaps over a garden wall. Mercutio and Benvolio arrive

looking for Romeo, but cannot see him. Mercutio then call out to him in

long speech filled with obscene wordplay. Benvolio finally gets tired of

searching for Romeo, and they leave.

Romeo has meanwhile succeeded in hiding beneath Juliet's balcony. She

appears on her balcony and, in this famous scene, asks, "Oh Romeo, Romeo,

wherefore art thou Romeo?" (2.1.75). She wishes that Romeo's name did not

make him her enemy. Romeo, hiding below her, surprises her by interupting

and telling Juliet that he loves her.

Juliet warns Romeo that his protestations of love had better be real ones,

since she has fallen in love with him and does not want to be hurt. Romeo

swears by himself that he loves her, and Juliet tells him that she wishes

she could give him her love again.

Juliet's Nurse calls her, and she disappears only to quickly reappear

again. Juliet informs Romeo that if he truly loves her, he should propose

marriage and tell her when and where to meet. The Nurse calls her a second

time, and Juliet exits. Romeo is about to leave when she emerges yet a

third time and calls him back.

Act Two, Scene Two

Friar Laurence is out collecting herbs when Romeo arrives. Romeo quickly

tells him that he has fallen in love with Juliet Capulet. The Friar is

surprised to hear that Rosaline has been forgotten about so quickly, but is

delighted by the prospect of using this new love affair to unite the

feuding families.

Act Two, Scene Three

Benvolio and Mercutio speak about Romeo's disappearance the night before.

Benvolio tells Mercutio that Romeo did not come home at all. Romeo arrives

and soon engages in a battle of wits with Mercutio, who is surprised by

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