Richard III

Richard reveals his plan to seize the crown. He arranges Clarence's imprisonment through a forged prophecy, seduces Lady Anne over the corpse of Henry VI, and begins dismantling every obstacle between himself and the throne.

Clarence is murdered in the Tower in a scene of black comedy and pathos. King Edward IV attempts a deathbed reconciliation among his nobles, only to learn that Clarence is already dead. Edward himself dies, and Richard moves to seize control of the young prince.

Richard and Buckingham manipulate events to clear Richard's path to the throne. Hastings is executed for resisting. The princes are lodged in the Tower. Richard stages a public performance of reluctance before accepting the crown.

Richard is crowned but immediately faces resistance. He orders the murder of the princes in the Tower. Buckingham defects and is captured. The women of the play -- Margaret, Elizabeth, the Duchess of York -- unite in grief and fury. Richmond prepares to invade.

The armies of Richard and Richmond converge at Bosworth Field. The ghosts of Richard's victims appear to both commanders in their sleep -- cursing Richard and blessing Richmond. Richard wakes to a shattering moment of self-knowledge, fights with desperate valor, and is killed. Richmond is crowned Henry VII.