Richard III Act 5, Scene 7 Summary

Read the full text of Richard III Act 5 Scene 7 with a side-by-side translation HERE.


  • On the battlefield, Catesby calls out to Norfolk for help, as Richard seems to have taken to the battlefield in mad desperation.
  • Richard's horse has been killed, and Richard is wandering the battlefield on foot, killing everything in his path with a fatalistic fury.
  • Richard yells out the famous line, "A horse, a horse! My kingdom for a horse!"
  • Richard is mad with bloodlust. He says he's slain five of the six "Richmonds" on the field, but not the Richmond he wants. (It was common practice to dress a few guys up as the leader of the troops to distract and serve as decoys. Swell job, huh?)
  • Richard runs off again, looking for horses and Richmond.