Shakespeare query and replies

King Richard the III

a friend and I are doing the 3 scene from the first act w/king richard and lady anne. can someone please give me a brief explantion of the scene?

posted by chelsea on 2004-07-21 02:50:46
last updated 2004-07-21 02:50:46

Suggestion

In my copy, it is in Act 1, Scene 2.

Better than any explanation, go to your local video store or library and get the video of Laurence Olivier and Claire Bloom acting that scene -- it is great! In my class there was much discussion over whether the scene was believable -- the verdict seemed to be "only with extraordinary acting" which this film had.

posted by Dave J on 2004-07-24 06:14:06
last updated 2004-07-24 06:14:06

READ THE PLAY1

Better than watching a film, which is one person's interpretation, read the play! Remember what Shakespeare said, "The play's the thing..."

Briefly, Richard has stopped the funeral procession of Ann's father-in-law, whom he has murdered. In the course of the scene, he woos Ann, even as she is weeping and grieving. How to make it work? Ann must find something in Richard that attracts her. In history, the two were childhood sweethearts. Some actors put that knowledge into their pre-scene life.

Also, Richard must be sooo suave and charming, that Ann "forgets" that he has murdered her father-in-law. Not to mention her husband. And half of England. But they DO get married later in the play. Don't try to over-anylize it - just go with the feelings.

posted by Suzanne (Suzanne Du C harme) on 2004-07-26 02:34:15
last updated 2004-07-26 02:34:15