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arguments.
    Lines 95–201 : York is brought in and the brothers show that they are a match for Richard verbally, but they are still powerless to prevent him, as “Lord Protector,” from sending them to stay in the Tower. When the brothers have gone, Richard, Buckingham, and Catesby discuss their plans to place Richard on the throne. Buckingham argues that they will find it difficult to convince Hastings and sends Catesby to “summon him tomorrow to the Tower” under the pretext of discussing the coronation, so that they can test his loyalty. Richard adds that Catesby should tell Hastings that the queen’s relatives are to be executed the next day, as this will please him. Buckingham asks Richard what they will do if Hastings will not join their conspiracy and Richard answers simply “Chop off his head.” He promises Buckingham “the earldom of Hereford” once he is king.
ACT 3 SCENE 2
    Lines 1–34: Hastings is woken in the early hours by a messenger from the Earl of Derby. He reports that Derby has had a prophetic dream in which a boar (Richard’s heraldic emblem) “razed off his helm.” Derby is worried about the “two councils” that Richardintends to hold, a technique clearly intended to create political division. He asks if Hastings will join him in escaping north to “shun the danger that his soul divines.” Demonstrating his own lack of perception, Hastings replies that there is nothing to fear from the “separated council.”
    Lines 35–123: Catesby arrives and Hastings asks for news of the “tott’ring state,” evoking the country’s turmoil. Catesby comments that he thinks the world will not “stand upright” again until Richard is king. Shocked, Hastings asks if this is Richard’s intention and learns that it is, and that Richard hopes for his backing. Catesby adds that Hastings’ enemies, “the kindred of the queen,” “must die at Pomfret.” Apparently oblivious to the danger he is placing himself in, Hastings declares that he is glad of this, but that he will not help Richard to the throne. Derby arrives in person and Hastings jokingly asks where his “boar-spear” is. Derby insists that the “several councils” bode ill, but Hastings is unmoved. As Derby and Catesby head to the Tower, Hastings jokes with a Pursuivant and shows his pleasure that his enemies are to be executed. Buckingham arrives to escort Hastings to the Tower.
ACT 3 SCENE 3
    Ratcliffe escorts Rivers, Grey, and Vaughan to their executions. They proclaim their loyalty to the prince and remember Margaret’s earlier curses upon them. Rivers reminds them that she also cursed Richard and Buckingham.
ACT 3 SCENE 4
    Lines 1–57: The council assembles. Hastings announces that they are there to “determine of the coronation,” asking, “when is the royal day?” The bishop suggests the next day, and Buckingham asks if anyone knows Richard’s mind on the subject. The bishop suggests that Buckingham should, but Buckingham’s response is ambiguous. He suggests that Hastings might know, and, although Hastings denies this, he offers to speak on Richard’s behalf. Richard arrivesand Buckingham informs him that Hastings was about to pronounce his “part” on the coronation, implying that Hastings aspires to Richard’s power, and creating an awareness of theater and performance, also emphasized by the word “cue.” Richard seems cheerful and asks the bishop to send for a bowl of strawberries. Richard draws Buckingham aside and reports that Catesby “hath sounded Hastings” and found that he “will lose his head” rather than help depose Prince Edward. They withdraw. Hastings comments on Richard’s good humor and ironically suggests that Richard can never “hide his love or hate.”
    Lines 58–106: Richard returns in a changed mood. He angrily claims that people are conspiring his death “with devilish plots / Of damned witchcraft” and have placed “hellish charms” on his body. Hastings suggests that the