Act 5, Scene 2 Summary

Richmond has received Stanley's letter and addresses his troops, encouraging them in their endeavor against Richard's tyranny. Richard is one day's march away, and they plan to engage in battle when they meet him. They are confident that they will win because they fight against Richard, who is guilty, and is only supported by people out of fear, not out of belief in him.

Act 5, Scene 2 Analysis

As the action rises to its culmination, we see another man attempting to take the throne of England for himself. However, unlike Richard, whose sole motive was power, and bringing pain to others (recall his opening soliloquy of Act I), Richmond is interested in justice. There is no mention of attaining glory in his speech, or of the power that he will have if he defeats Richard. He speaks only of Richard's tyranny that...