Act 5, Scene 5 Summary

Richmond and Richard battle and Richard is killed. Richmond is crowned king. He addresses everyone present, stating that the soldiers who served Richard will be pardoned. He also says he will unite the white rose and the red (the House of Lancaster and House of York) and there will be no more civil war in England. He prays that his heirs will enrich England with lasting peace and prosperity.

Act 5, Scene 5 Analysis

At last, Richard is brought down. It is significant that Shakespeare does not give him any words before he dies. Most kings in his plays are allowed a long soliloquy, or at least some parting phrase; but the last words from Richard are his selfish wish for a horse. In contrast, again, Richmond is allowed a long soliloquy at the end of the play. His promise to unite the...