Richard III: Act 5, Scene 3 Summary & Analysis

On Bosworth Field outside Leicester, Richard feels optimistic about the next day's battle and orders his troops, the Duke of Norfolk, Earl of Surrey, and others, to pitch their tents for the night. Richard declares that "the king's name is a tower of strength" which their opponents lack and want.

Meanwhile on the other side of the field, Richmond, Sir William Brandon, Oxford, and others pitch their tents. Richmond announces he will distribute power on the battlefield tomorrow between several of his lords. He gives Sir James Blunt a secret note to give Stanley, and retires with the others to strategize the next day's battle.

At Richard's tent, Richard, Norfolk, Ratcliffe, and Catesby gather. Richard asks the time (six in the evening). He asks after his own armor and horse and is told they're both in order. He tells Ratcliffe to summon Stanley's promised forces and threaten George Stanley's death should they not arrive. He asks for a clock and declares himself cheerless. He retires to his tent. Ratcliffe and Catesby exit.

Back at Richmond's tent, Stanley is warmly welcomed and assures Richmond that he will do all he can for him on the battlefield tomorrow, though he must do so subtly as George Stanley will be killed if Richard detects him fighting for Richmond. All exit with Stanley. Richmond prays to God that his forces be protected and victorious on the field. He sleeps.

Between the two camps, the ghosts of King Henry VI, Clarence, Rivers, Grey, Vaughan, Hastings, Edward Prince of Wales, the Duke of York, Anne, and Buckingham rise in succession. Each ghost speaks to Richard and then to Richmond. Each calls on Richard to remember him and to think on the ghosts with shame and guilt. Each calls for Richard's death the next day. To Richmond, each ghost gives a kind blessing and prays for his imminent victory. The ghosts vanish.

Starting from sleep, Richard cries for "another horse" and for someone to tend his wounds. He realizes it was all a dream but remains rattled, vacillating between self-love and self-loathing. The latter starts to win out and he fears that, should he die, no one will pity him for he cannot even pity himself. Ratcliffe enters and announces it's time to get ready for battle. Richard declares that "shadows" (ghosts) have scared him more than thousands of Richmond's soldiers could. Richard and Ratcliffe exit.

At the other camp, Richmond wakes and reports to his lords the "fairest-boding dreams" in which the souls of all Richard's victims cheered him on. It is four in the morning, and time to get going. Before they all set forth, Richmond delivers an inspiring speech to his troops, assuring them that God, goodness, saints, and wronged souls are all on their side. He says even Richard's soldiers would rather have Richmond's side win. They set off for battle.

At Richard's camp, Richard, Ratcliffe, attendants, and soldiers are gathered. A clock strikes and Richard asks whether anyone has seen the sun. No one has, and Richard wonders if the sun "disdains to shine" as it should have been up an hour ago. The black sky is ominous, but he consoles himself by thinking that "the selfsame heaven that frowns on me looks sadly upon [Richmond]."

Norfolk enters and tells Richard to charge the field. Richard quickly announces his battle plan to his men. Norfolk shows Richard a note left on Norfolk's tent foreboding Richard's defeat. They agree it must be from Richmond's camp. Richard delivers a speech to his troops, calling on them to let "strong arms be our conscience, swords our law" and hurling insults at Richmond's side. A Messenger enters and announces that Stanley refuses to come to Richard's aid. Richard orders George Stanley beheaded, which Norfolk advises him to put off until after the day's battle as Richmond's troops are fast approaching. They charge onto the field.