This is a good indication that Richard will do something significant in the play, it is as if he is plotting and scheming. “ Made glorious summer by this son of York,” an obvious but clever pun on “son.” The son is Edward of York and also the king. These are all quotes from Richards’s soliloquy on page one.
In this soliloquy Richard seems obsessed and angry at his deformity, “But I- that am not shaped for sportive tricks,” and “I-that am rudely stamped” support this. Richard uses well thought words to describe his condition as if he had anger boiling inside him.
Notice that in these two quotes, the repetition of “I” is used for dramatic effect. On the following page Richard is ironic and sarcastic when he speaks to his arrested Brother George. Richard acts innocent but it is Richards fault George is imprisoned. Richard then tries to blame the Queen for the arrest”tis he that tempers him to hi extremity.” Richard then accuses Brakenbury of adultery with mistress Shore, as a joke, to stop Brakenbury for reporting what Richard had said in the next scene Richard is with Anne and the corpse of her husband. Richard is clever with words. And has a quick Richard uses clever speech and charm to coax Anne into agreeing to marry him. This shows that, in mind, Richard is very strong. Richard has the ability to turn a situation that is strongly against him, around.
In the next scene, Richard insults Elizabeth and she threatens to tell the King about his behaviour, Queen Margaret enters listening to the argument, she verbally attacks both Elizabeth and Richard, “Out Devil!” Richard claims to pity his brother Clarence, this is false. Margaret claims to be superior in both authority and the right to sorrow. Richard remands Margaret how badly she treated his father, and that she had his younger brother killed. Margaret argues that they have only turned on her as a diversion from abusing each other. Margaret begins to curse everyone, predicting death and suffering, Richard begins to insult her, Margaret focuses her heaviest curse on Richard but he turns her words back on her. This shows that Richard is quick thinking and prepared.
In act 2 scene 1 Richard claims to at peace with everyone, “why, Madame, have I offered love for this?” When Elizabeth mentions Clarence, not knowing that he is dead, Richard pretends to be outraged. This shows that Richard is using false rage to cover up what he has done, the others including the king believe this.
Richard says that Elizabeth’s family looked pale when they heard of the death Clarence, and implies that they are the ones to blame for the murder, “ how that the guilty kindred of the queen looked pale when they did hear of Clarence death?”
In scene 2 of act 2 Richard offers to take charge and protect the Duchess of York grandchildren. But secretly Richard plans to kill them. This shows that Richard uses kindness to hide his true intentions.
In these two acts of the play Richard is portrayed in many way to show he was an evil but clever man. Shakespeare uses clever speech to show Richards character and creates an effective impression of Richard on the audience.
