Act 3, Scene 5 Summary

Richard and Buckingham await the Mayor at the tower. Richard asks Buckingham if he is a good enough actor to carry out their deceptions, to which Buckingham replies that he can act very well. Catesby brings the mayor to Richard and Buckingham. They tell him that they discovered Hastings to be a traitor. They called for the mayor to hear Hastings' confession, which they have already heard, but their loyal followers, Ratcliffe and Lovell, were too upset at Hastings' treachery and beheaded him before the mayor arrived. Lovell and Ratcliffe bring in Hastings' head, and Richard laments that Hastings turned bad because he loved him. The mayor says he believes Richard and Buckingham's story, and promises to tell the people of Hastings' treason.

When the mayor leaves, Richard encourages Buckingham to go after him and tell people that Edward's sons are...