Oct 10, 2008
The Oxford Dictionary of Plays | Richard III
Richard III (The Tragedy of King Richard the third)
Author: William Shakespeare
First Performance: c.1595, London
Published: 1597 (1st quarto); 1623 (1st folio)
Genre: Hist. drama in 5 acts; blank verse and prose
Setting: England, 1471–85
Cast: 33m, 5f, extras
Edward IV is the new king, and England is celebrating an unfamiliar period of peace. For the misshapen warrior Richard Gloucester, the inactivity of peace is burdensome. He resolves to cause mischief in the new kingdom, and begins by arranging for his brother Clarence to be taken to prison, where he is murdered. Richard also successfully woos Anne, the young widow of Henry VI's son, whom Richard and his brothers killed. When Edward dies, Richard, supported by the faithful Buckingham, eliminates his rivals, and becomes regent to the two young...
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