Aug 29, 2008

Richard III | What impact does the procession of ghosts have upon Richard III?

On the eve of battle with Richmond at Bosworth field, a sleeping Richard is visited by the ghosts of those whom he has killed or had killed. When he awakens, Richard confirms that he is aware of this ghastly procession, saying "Me thought the souls of all that I had murder'd/Came to my tent, and every one did threat/Tomorrow's vengeance on the head of Richard" (V, iii., ll.204-206). He then says to Ratcliffe, "By the apostle Paul, shadows tonight/Have strook more terror to the soul of Richard/Than can the substance of ten thousand soldiers" (V, iii, ll.216-218). He does not try to determine...