King Richard III | Short Essay Assignments

Short Essay Questions

The 60 short essay questions listed in this section require a one to two sentence answer. They ask students to demonstrate a deeper understanding of the text. Students must describe what they've read, rather than just recall it.

Short Essay Question - Act 1, Scene 1

1. What do Richard's remarks at the opening of the play mean?

2. In the opening soliloquy, what is Richard's wish?

3. What is Richard's reason for wanting chaos in England?

4. How is Edward's punishment of Clarence his own doing, and not Richard's fault?

Short Essay Question - Act 1, Scene 2

5. What is Anne's wish for Richard, while she is mourning her husband's and father-in-law's deaths?

6. What happens when Anne orders that the coffin of her husband be taken...
(read more)