Act 1: Challenge and Debate

Challenge: 1.1.

• The opening: drama and hyperbole (1. 1. 95-7).
• Staging
• Is the language of the opening scenes rather formal?
• Dramatic irony if Richard himself was believed to have been involved in the death of his uncle Thomas of Woodstock

Debate: 1.2.

• Revenge or patience?
• Who is the agent of revenge: human or God?
• Inversion of sex roles.

Trial by combat

• The difference between Richard's time and Shakespeare's.
• The interruption of the trial.
• Motivation and character versus type and role: Richard in public and private roles (1.3. and 1.4.).