Act 2, Scene 2 Summary

The Duchess of York enters with Clarence's now orphaned son and daughter. They ask her, their grandmother, if their father is dead, which she initially denies. However, they know she is lying because she weeps for his death and because Richard already told them of it. The boy says Richard told him the king ordered Clarence's death, and the queen urged him to it. Richard then wept and told the boy to think of him as a father. The Duchess is ashamed that she raised a son such as Richard, but says that he did not get his deceit from her. The boy asks if she thinks Richard was lying to him. The Duchess tells him yes, but he cannot believe it.

Queen Elizabeth enters, lamenting King Edward's death. The Duchess says her sorrow is greater than any other is because...