RICHARD
Slave, I have set my life upon a cast,
And I will stand the hazard of the die.
I think there be six Richmonds in the field;
Five have I slain to-day instead of him.
A horse, a horse, my kingdom for a horse!
[Exeunt.]

In this dramatic moment from Shakespeare's Richard III, the titular character confronts his impending doom with a gambler’s resolve. Richard likens his life to a game of chance, casting his fate upon a die. This metaphor underscores his reckless ambition and acceptance of risk, having clawed his way to power through treachery and murder. Surrounded on the battlefield, he remains defiant, believing he has vanquished multiple opponents, yet still seeks the elusive Richmond. His desperate cry for a horse symbolizes his vulnerability; it is his kingdom he offers for the survival tool he desperately needs. Ultimately, this scene epitomizes the tragic fall of a king who, despite understanding the stakes, chooses to embrace his fate courageously rather than flee, highlighting the impetuous nature of power and ambition.