How we cite our quotes: (Act.Scene.Line)
Quote #4
CLIFFORD
Who scapes the lurking serpent's mortal sting?
Not he that sets his foot upon her back.
The smallest worm will turn, being trodden on, (2.2.15-17)
For a brute, this is a very poetic image. Don't be fooled, though: it's not the mushy stuff of Shakespeare's sonnets. Clifford tells Margaret and Henry the even a weak army can win when they are motivated enough. Creepy.
Quote #5
WARWICK
And look upon, as if the tragedy
Were played in jest by counterfeiting actors?
He kneels.
Here on my knee I vow to God above
I'll never pause again, never stand still,
Till either death hath closed these eyes of mine
Or fortune given me measure of revenge. (2.3.27-32)
After he finds out that his brother has died, Warwick vows to get revenge, too. Is it just us, or is there a pattern emerging here? We think it's especially interesting that Shakespeare even writes revenge scenarios for the characters not involved in York's and Henry's immediate families. Revenge is something that seems to touch everyone in this play.
Quote #6
CLIFFORD
Now, Richard, I am here with thee alone.
This is the hand that stabbed thy father York,
And this the hand that slew thy brother Rutland,
And here's the heart that triumphs in their death
And cheers these hands that slew thy sire and brother
To execute the like upon thyself.
And so, have at thee! (2.4.5-11)
Never one to back down, Clifford owns up to what he did. He's not ashamed or apologetic; on the contrary, he's proud of killing Richard's father, because that means he's avenged his own dad's death. In a weird way, he's celebrating his accomplishment. What's even darker is that Richard wants to do the same: he's after Clifford for the same exact reason Clifford was after his dad.