Act 1, Scene 1 Summary

Richard of Gloucester, King Edward IV's brother, recites a monologue to himself in which he conveys that peace has come to England. However, he is not satisfied. He was born misshapen, and he is so ugly that dogs bark at him as he limps by. Since he is too deformed to be worthy of love, he has resolved to be a villain. He has laid a plot to set his two brothers, King Edward and Clarence, against each other. Richard invented a prophecy, which he told Edward, that "G of Edward's heirs" would murder him. Richard is confident Edward will interpret the prophecy to mean the Duke of Clarence, whose given name is George, is going to kill him.

Clarence enters, being led to the tower by guards. Richard feigns ignorance and concern and asks why Clarence is guarded. Clarence explains...