The play vividly dramatizes the contrast between Richard's character and Richmond's character, shifting its perspective back and forth between them numerous times. The leaders, in their respective camps, make almost identical preparations as they ready for the next day's battle, but the difference between them can be seen in the way they go about their business. Richard speaks abruptly to his lords, and, as we can see, essentially is isolated from all human contact. He is in power, but he is alone: his brothers, nephews, and even his own wife are all dead at his hand, his mother has cursed and abandoned him, and even the person who was once his closest friend-Buckingham-has been sent to execution.

Richmond, on the other hand, is gracious and friendly to both his noblemen and his soldiers. The battle speeches of the two leaders clearly show their different styles: Richmond asks his men to remember the beauty of the land that they are protecting from a tyrant, and the wives and children whom they will be making free. He reminds his men that he himself

The prayers of holy saints and wronged souls,

A scum of Bretons, and base lackey peasants,

If you do fight in safeguard of your wives,

What shall I say more than I have inferr'd?

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Approximate Word count = 1679
Approximate Pages = 7 (250 words per page double spaced)