The Pursuit of Power

Question 1

Edward IV - Weak

Answer 1

‘Instead of,’ fighting for Englands honour Edward ‘capers nimbly in a lady’s chambers.’ (page 7)

Question 2

Edward IV - Weak

Answer 2

Richard says ‘I am not shaped for sportive tricks.’ In turn he suggests that Edward IV is. (page 7)

Question 3

Anne - Power

Answer 3

Refers to herself as ‘poor Anne.’ (Page 17)

Question 4

Anne - Power

Answer 4

Reveals she is the widow of Edward Prince of Wales - who was the ‘slaughtered son stabbed.’ (Page 17)

Question 5

Anne - Power

Answer 5

‘if ever he have wife, let her be made more miserable by the death of him as I am now made by my young lord and thee.’ (Page 17)

Question 6

Anne - Curses on Richard

Answer 6

‘Curse the heart that had the heart to do it, Curse the blood that let this blood from hence.’ (Page 17)

Question 7

Anne - Curses on Richard

Answer 7

‘If ever he have child, abortive be it.’ (Page 17)

Question 8

Anne and Richard Relationship

Answer 8

‘Thou lump of foul deformity.’ (page 19)

Question 9

Anne and Richard Relationship

Answer 9

‘I did not kill your husband.’
‘Why, then he is alive.’ (page 21)

Question 10

Anne and Richard Relationship

Answer 10

‘She spits at him.’ (page 25)

Question 11

Elizabeth - Perspicacity

Answer 11

‘I fear our happiness is at its height.’ (page 33)

Question 12

Elizabeth - Perspicacity

Answer 12

‘your interior hatred, that in your outward action shows itself against my children, my brothers, and myself.’ (page 35)

Question 13

Margaret

Answer 13

Margaret kindly warns Buckingham to be cautious of Richard because when he metaphorically ‘bites,’ then his ‘venom tooth will rankle to the death.’
When Richard asks what Margaret has said to Buckingham he says ‘Nothing that I respect, my gracious lord.’ (page 47).

Question 14

Duchess - Perspicacity

Answer 14

The Duchess says that Richard has a ‘virtuos visor,’ which ‘hide[s] deep vice.’ (page 77).

Question 15

Duchess - Perspicacity

Answer 15

The Duchess calls Edward IV and Clarence ‘Two mirrors… [which were] cracked in pieces by malignant death.’ This is juxtaposed to when she calls Richard ‘one false glass.’ (page 79).

Question 16

Richard - Power?

Answer 16

In this scene the citizens discuss the future of the country - and the third citizen says ‘full of danger is the Duke of Gloucester.’ Perhaps not all were fooled by Richard’s schemes. (page 87).

Question 17

Elizabeth - Powerless

Answer 17

Following the announcement of the arrest of Rivers, Grey and Vaughan ( her son, brother and supporter) ‘I see the ruin of my house… Welcome destruction, blood and massacre.’

Question 18

Elizabeth - Power

Answer 18

Takes York to Sanctuary

Question 19

Buckingham - Power

Answer 19

The Cardinal says ‘Not for all this land would I be guilty of so great a sin.’ (the sin being forcing Elizabeth and York out of sanctuary). After Buckingham persuades him this is juxtaposed by the Cardinal saying ‘you shall o’er-rule my mind for once.’ (page 99).

Question 20

Buckingham - Power

Answer 20

Buckingham orders Catesby to:
- Help him and Richard fulfill their plans
- To get Hastings on their side (in getting Richard on the throne).

Question 21

Stanley - Caution

Answer 21

Stanley sends a messenger ‘Upon the stroke of four.’ To warn Hastings of his dream.

Question 22

Stanley - Power / Hasting’s Powerless

Answer 22

Hastings tells Stanley not to worry about the two separate councils the following day as they will be at one and his ‘Good friend Catesby.’ will be at another. (page 109).

Question 23

Hastings - Naivety

Answer 23

Eagerness / joy towards the death of his enemies (Rivers, Grey and Vaughn).

Question 24

Hastings - Naivety

Answer 24

Meets Priest and Pursuivant and is unfazed. (page 115).

Question 25

Margaret - Power

Answer 25

Before being executed - Rivers, Grey and Vaughn recognise that this aligns with Margarets curses. Rivers says ‘Then cursed she Richard, Then cursed she Buckingham, Then cursed she Hastings.’ (page 117).

Question 26

Stanley - Caution

Answer 26

Regarding the coronation of Prince Edward - Stanley says ‘Tomorrow, in my judgement, is too sudden.’ (page 119).

Question 27

Hastings - Dignity

Answer 27

Before his execution Hastings says ‘Woe, woe for England.’ and ‘bear him my head.’ (page 123). He also regrets his jubilance at his enemies deaths.

Question 28

Richard - Power

Answer 28

Richard orchestrates the plan for Buckingham to induce the idea of Richard being the best candidate for King - by delegitimising Prince Edward etc. (page 129)

Question 29

Buckingham - Pawn - AO5

Answer 29

‘I’ll play the orator as if the golden fee for which I plead were for myself.’ (page 129)

Question 30

Buckingham - Powerless - AO5

Answer 30

When he encouraged members of the commonweal to repeat ‘God save Richard, England’s royal king!’ The people were silent and like ‘breathing stone.’ (page 133).

Question 31

Buckingham - Power

Answer 31

‘Get a prayer book in your hand.’ (page 135).

Question 32

Elizabeth - Women Power

Answer 32

‘Kind sister, thanks. We’ll all enter together.’ - To Anne - (page 149)

Question 33

Richard - Power

Answer 33

‘The king hath strictly charged the contrary.’ (page 149)

Question 34

Margaret - Power / Elizabeth Powerless

Answer 34

Elizabeth says she will die the ‘thrall,’ of Margarets curse.

Question 35

Anne - Powerless

Answer 35

Anne says she has been tricked by Richard’s ‘honey words.’ (page 153).

Question 36

Richard - Powerless

Answer 36

‘High-reaching Buckingham has grown circumspect.’ (page 157).

Question 37

Richard - Powerless

Answer 37

Says he must marry Elizabeth’s daughter else his ‘kingdom stands on brittle glass.’ (page 157).

Question 38

Buckingham - Powerless

Answer 38

When Buckingham returns he states that Richard promised him the Earldom of Hereford in return for his involvement in Richard’s schemes - Richard ignored him twice and on his third request Richard says ‘ Thou troublest me; I am not in the vein.’ (page 159).

Question 39

Richard - Good Leadership

Answer 39

Despite worsening conditions - Richard is a commanding leader - e.g., ‘Go muster men.’ (page 163).

Question 40

Margaret - Power

Answer 40

Elizabeth asks Margaret to help her curse.

Question 41

Women - Power - AO5

Answer 41

Duchess and Elizabeth aim to ‘smother,’ Richard with their words. They succeed in that he responds to their stream of rhetorical questions (regarding Clarence, Hastings and Princes) with imperatives such as ‘Strike alarum, drums.’ (page 173).

Question 42

Elizabeth - Power

Answer 42

Elizabeth says she will ‘corrupt,’ her daughters manner and ‘stain,’ her beauty, ‘slander,’ herself as false - just to prevent Richard marrying her. (page 175).

Question 43

Richard - Good Leader

Answer 43

‘March on! March on!’ (page 193)

Question 44

Richmond - Power

Answer 44

Christopher is used as a function to illuminate Richmond’s strength. He lists members of high status in the nobility who support Richmond such as ‘Sir James Blunt.’ (page 195).

Question 45

Richmond - Power

Answer 45

Stanley acts as a guide for the audience (arguably) therefore when he says ‘Be valiant.’ and ‘speed well.’ to Richmond - we naturally anticipate Richmond’s success. (page 209)

Question 46

Richard - Goals achieved

Answer 46

Richard has become King. He has also proved himself a villain (Act1Scene1). He says in his soliloquy ‘I am a villain.’ (page 215).

Question 47

Richard - Utterly powerless

Answer 47

Despite Catesby revealing Richard’s successful attack of Richmond’s regiment - Richard repeats ‘A horse, A horse my kingdom for a horse.’ (page 225).