Shakespeare · Soliloquies & Solo Speeches
Soliloquies & Solo Speeches Richard III
Production Notes
Richard of Gloucester opens the play by announcing himself to the audience directly: the war is over, peacetime has made him superfluous, and so he has resolved to be a villain. It is one of Shakespeare’s most famous opening speeches — a declaration of intent delivered with extraordinary wit and self-awareness.
Speech text pending — arriving from Drive.
Script
Speech text pending — arriving from Drive.
Facilitator Notes
Warm-up: Explore what it feels like to decide something — not to discover it, but to announce a decision already made. Then approach Richard’s opening.
Debrief prompts:
- Richard addresses the audience as his conspirator from the first line. What does that do to the audience’s relationship with a character who announces he intends to be a villain?
- The speech is comic as well as villainous — Richard is funny. Where does the comedy live, and why does it matter?
- Richard claims the peace has marginalized him. Do Players believe him?
- What does it mean to open a play by telling the audience exactly what is going to happen?