Richard Woos Lady Anne — R3 I.ii
Richard III
advancedHow to cast this scene
Draw two names from a hat. No type casting of any kind. Swap roles between the two halves of the scene — the approach and the reversal — if time allows. Every Player who wants a turn should get one.
Say it right
- Anne
- Ann (single syllable)
- Gloucester
- GLAW-ster
- Lancaster
- LANG-kuh-ster
- Henry
- HEN-ree
Who’s who
- Lady Anne
- Widow, grieving, furious. Her husband and father-in-law lie dead — killed by the man now speaking to her.
- Richard (Duke of Gloucester)
- Scheming, quick, utterly shameless. Believes words are tools, not truths. Wants the crown, wants Anne, wants to win.
The scene
The scene
ANNE. What black magician conjures up this fiend To stop devoted charitable deeds? …. Thou hadst but power over his mortal body; His soul thou canst not have; therefore be gone.
RICHARD. Sweet saint, for charity be not so curst.
ANNE. Foul devil, for God’s sake hence and trouble us not; For thou hast made the happy earth thy hell, Fill’d it with cursing cries and deep exclaims. …. Thou kill’dst my husband Henry in the Tower, And Edward, my poor son, at Tewksbury.
RICHARD. Lady, you know no rules of charity, Which renders good for bad, blessings for curses.
ANNE. Villain, thou know’st nor law of God nor man: No beast so fierce but knows some touch of pity.
RICHARD. But I know none, and therefore am no beast.
ANNE. O wonderful, when devils tell the truth!
RICHARD. More wonderful, when angels are so angry. …. Your beauty was the cause of that effect; Your beauty that did haunt me in my sleep To undertake the death of all the world, So I might live one hour in your sweet bosom.
ANNE. If I thought that, I tell thee, homicide, These nails should rend that beauty from my cheeks.
RICHARD. These eyes could not endure that beauty’s wrack; You should not blemish it, if I stood by: As all the world is cheered by the sun, So I by that; it is my day, my life.
ANNE. Black night o’ershade thy day, and death thy life!
RICHARD. Curse not thyself, fair creature; thou art both.
ANNE. I would I were, to be reveng’d on thee.
RICHARD. It is a quarrel most unnatural, To be reveng’d on him that loveth thee. ….
ANNE. It is a quarrel just and reasonable, To be reveng’d on him that kill’d my husband.
RICHARD. He that bereft thee, lady, of thy husband, Did it to help thee to a better husband.
ANNE. His better doth not breathe upon the earth.
RICHARD. He lives that loves thee better than he could. ….
[RICHARD offers his sword.]
RICHARD. Nay, do not pause; for I did kill King Henry, But ’twas thy beauty that provoked me. Nay, now dispatch; ’twas I that stabb’d young Edward, But ’twas thy heavenly face that set me on. …. Take up the sword again, or take up me.
ANNE. Arise, dissembler; though I wish thy death, I will not be thy executioner.
RICHARD. Then bid me kill myself, and I will do it.
ANNE. I have already.
RICHARD. That was in thy rage. Speak it again, and even with the word This hand, which for thy love did kill thy love, Shall for thy love kill a far truer love; To both their deaths shalt thou be accessary.
ANNE. I would I knew thy heart.
RICHARD. ’Tis figur’d in my tongue.
ANNE. I fear me both are false.
RICHARD. Then never man was true.
ANNE. Well, well, put up your sword.
RICHARD. Say then my peace is made.
ANNE. That shalt thou know hereafter.
RICHARD. But shall I live in hope?
ANNE. All men, I hope, live so.
RICHARD. Vouchsafe to wear this ring.
ANNE. To take is not to give.
[She takes the ring.]
Facilitator notes
This scene splits well into two halves — Richard’s initial approach and the ring-giving reversal. Consider casting each half separately if you have time. The scene is psychologically demanding; remind Players they are exploring a character, not endorsing a worldview. Debrief is essential — use the reflection questions before the evaluation ritual.
Reflect together
- How does Richard use Anne’s grief against her? Is it working?
- What moment does Anne’s resistance begin to soften — and why does it?
- What would you need to believe about people to play Richard sincerely?
- Try the scene where Anne never breaks eye contact. What does Richard do differently?
- After the ring moment: who won? What did winning cost?
Wrap up
Now let’s share:
Two things I liked…
One thing I wonder…