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I can smile, and murder while I smile.
~ Richard defining himself
A horse! A horse! My kingdom for a horse!
~ Richard's most famous line

King Richard III is the title character and protagonist villain of William Shakespeare's play Richard III. He is a ruthless, scheming English aristocrat who murders several members of his own family in order to usurp the throne,

He is a fictionalized version of the real British monarch, who ruled England from 1483 to 1485.

In the play[]

Richard is the Duke of Gloucester and younger brother of the King of England, Edward IV. A ruthless, power-hungry psychopath, he desires the throne for himself, but knows that he is too far down the line of succession and widely disliked in the royal court, both for his deformities - a hunched back, and crooked knee, and a withered arm - and for his ruthlessness and cruelty. He hatches a plan to seize the throne by systematically murdering the family members who stand in his way, beginning with his younger brother, George, Duke of Clarence, whom he has imprisoned and killed.

Knowing he needs a Queen, he seduces Lady Anne Neville, whose husband he had killed in battle, by feigning remorse and pledging his undying love. After Edward dies, Richard is appointed Lord Protector, a caretaker of the throne until Edward's oldest son Edward comes of age. With the help of his cronies Lords Buckingham, Catesby, Ratcliffe, and Lovell, Richard spreads rumors that the King's sons are illegitimate, and has them locked up in the Tower of London, where henchman James Tyrell kills them both. After having his last rival, Lord Hastings, executed on a trumped-up treason charge, Richard assumes the throne.

Richard poisons Anne, who has outlived her usefulness. He then tries to woo Edward's daughter Elizabeth of York, which so horrifies her mother, Queen Elizabeth, that she lends her support to Henry of Richmond, a Lord who is organizing an army to dethrone Richard. The Duchess of York, Richard's own mother, curses him and joins Richmond as well. as he loses what popularity he had and is forced to contend with an uprising.

Richard's army meets Richmond's at the Battle of Bosworth Field. The night before the battle, Richard has a nightmare in which his victims condemn him for his crimes and curse him to a bloody, ignoble death. Richard wakes up screaming, and realizes that he has sunk so low that he cannot even pity himself.

The day of the battle, Richard's main ally George Stanley deserts him, taking his army and leaving Richard at a great disadvantage. Richard orders Stanley's son executed, but the order is not carried out, so unpopular is Richard among the Court. Richard loses his horse in battle, and he shouts, "A horse! A horse! My kingdom for a horse!" He battles Richmond, who overpowers and kills him, claiming the throne as Henry VII.

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