Richard III - Buckingham Quotes

Question 1

Ambition, greed

Answer 1

4.2 ‘My lord, I claim the gift… the Earldom of Hereford and the movables’
Suggesting ambition makes him ultimately able to overrule scruples

Question 2

Performance skill

Answer 2

Structure/DI/switches in tone emphasises his skill and insincerity

• 3.5 ‘tremble and start at the wagging of a straw’, juxtaposed with performance of panic
• 3.4 ‘We know each others’ faces / For our hearts, he knows no more of mine than I of yours’, feigns ignorance and denies any closeness, theatrical imagery - enjoys position of superior knowledge?
• 3.7 ‘look you get a prayer book in your hand / And stand between churchmen’, directs R
• ‘But we will plant some other on the throne / To the disgrace and downfall of your house’ and stages an exit in frustration

Question 3

Rhetorical, manipulative skill

Answer 3

• 2.2 persuades them to send a ‘small train’ to fetch the prince from Ludlow, using images of fracture/healing
• ‘the new healed wound of malice… break out’, emphasises the fragility of the kingdom
• revealed to be part of the scheme with R ‘my other self… my oracle’ - insincere or sincere?
• 3.1 ‘Fie, what indirect and peevish course / is this of hers’, playing on H’s prejudice (queen) like R in 1.1
• 3.7 Compares R to Ed to present him as the only logical option for the throne ‘He is not lolling on a lewd love bed / but on his knees at meditation’
• though some limitations, citizens still unconvinced

Question 4

Division with Richard

Answer 4

• 4.1 ‘Earldom of Hereford and the moveables’ ’What says your highness to my request?’ begging for earldom
• ‘Repays he my deep service/with such contempt?’
• no longer understanding R’s insinuations ‘Cousin, thou wast not wont to be so dull’

Question 5

Ruthlessness

Answer 5

• 3.1 convinces the Cardinal to release York from sanctuary, ‘Oft have I heard of sanctuary men / But sanctuary children ne’er till now’
• 3.2 B meets H on the way to the tower and enjoys his superior knowledge ‘I shall return before your lordship hence’, ominous double meaning to the audience, due to DI created by previous scene

Question 6

Appears to take the lead

Answer 6

• 2.2 ‘as a child I go by thy direction’, suggesting smaller retinue ‘to part the queen’s proud kindred from the prince’
• 3.1 asks Catesby to sound out Hastings ‘is it not an easy matter / To make Lord Hastings of our mind?’
• 3.1 talking to Cardinal to getting York from sanctuary ‘Oft have I heard of sanctuary men / But sanctuary children ne’er till now’
• 3.7 planted followers throwing caps in the air
• 3.7 tells R to ‘intend some fear’

Question 7

Inevitability of divine justice

Answer 7

• 5.1 ‘Thus Margaret’s curse falls heavy on my neck’
• ‘All Soul’s Day is my body’s doomsday’

Question 8

Richard’s view of Buckingham

Answer 8

• 1.3 ‘a simple gull’
• 2.2 ‘my other self’, ‘as a child I go by thy direction’
• 4.1 ‘deep-revolving Buckingham’ ‘grows circumspect’