Original: Accursed and unquiet wrangling days,
Modern: Cursed and restless days full of fighting and conflict,

Original: How many of you have mine eyes beheld!
Modern: How many of you have I witnessed with my own eyes!

Original: My husband lost his life to get the crown;
Modern: My husband died trying to win the throne;

Original: And often up and down my sons were toss’d,
Modern: And my sons were thrown back and forth between victory and defeat,

Original: For me to joy and weep their gain and loss:
Modern: Making me celebrate and cry over their wins and losses:

Original: And being seated, and domestic broils
Modern: And once they were established on the throne, and our family conflicts

Original: Clean over-blown, themselves, the conquerors.
Modern: Were completely finished, they themselves, the victors,

Original: Make war upon themselves; blood against blood,
Modern: Started fighting each other; family member against family member,

Original: Self against self: O, preposterous
Modern: Brother against brother: Oh, this absurd

Original: And frantic outrage, end thy damned spleen;
Modern: And crazy violence, stop your cursed hatred;

Original: Or let me die, to look on death no more!
Modern: Or let me die, so I don’t have to watch any more death!

In Act II, Scene 4 of “Richard III,” the Duchess of York, Queen Elizabeth, and the young Duke of York gather at the palace, where they await news of the young princes. The scene opens with the Duchess inquiring about the health of the Prince of Wales and his brother. The Duke of York, a precocious child, engages in witty banter with his grandmother about his growth and development, demonstrating a sharp intelligence beyond his years. Their conversation turns to discussing the young Duke’s uncle Richard, Duke of Gloucester, with the boy making observations about Richard’s character that his mother tries to dismiss or redirect.

A messenger arrives with troubling news: Lord Rivers, Lord Grey, and Sir Thomas Vaughan have been imprisoned by Richard, Duke of Gloucester and the Duke of Buckingham. Queen Elizabeth immediately recognizes this as a dangerous political move and fears for her own safety and that of her remaining son, the Duke of York. She decides to seek sanctuary at Westminster Abbey, taking the young Duke with her. The Duchess of York laments the growing misfortunes of her family, while the Archbishop of York arrives and attempts to provide counsel. Despite his reassurances, Queen Elizabeth remains convinced of the danger and hastily departs for sanctuary with her son, leaving the Duchess to contemplate the tragic trajectory of the House of York.

Richard III opens with Richard, Duke of Gloucester, revealing his villainous intentions to claim the throne of England. Despite his physical deformities, he is determined to remove all obstacles to his coronation. He begins by manipulating his brother Clarence into imprisonment and death, convincing King Edward IV that Clarence poses a threat. Richard also courts Lady Anne, widow of Prince Edward (whom Richard killed), successfully wooing her despite having murdered both her husband and father-in-law. When King Edward IV dies, Richard is named Lord Protector for the young Prince Edward, heir to the throne.

Richard systematically eliminates his rivals and supporters of the rightful heirs. He has Lord Hastings executed for opposing his claim to the throne, and convinces the Duke of Buckingham to help him secure power. Richard and Buckingham spread rumors about the legitimacy of Edward IV’s children, claiming they are bastards. They stage a public scene where Richard reluctantly accepts the crown after appearing to refuse it. Once crowned King Richard III, he orders the murder of the two young princes (Edward V and his brother Richard, Duke of York) in the Tower of London, though their deaths occur offstage.

Richard’s reign becomes increasingly tyrannical and unstable. The Duke of Buckingham eventually rebels against him and is captured and executed. Richard attempts to consolidate power by proposing to marry Elizabeth of York, his niece, but faces growing opposition. Henry Tudor, Earl of Richmond, lands in England with an army to claim the throne. The play culminates in the Battle of Bosworth Field, where Richard is haunted by the ghosts of all those he has murdered. Richmond defeats and kills Richard in battle, then marries Elizabeth of York to unite the warring houses of Lancaster and York, establishing the Tudor dynasty and bringing peace to England.