The play opens with a soliloquy, a speech delivered to the audience that represents the character’s inner thoughts. In this speech, Richard, Duke of Gloucester and younger brother of King Edward IV, explains that he is not content with the current political situation in England. Formerly, England was at war and Richard fought alongside his brothers to defeat the previous king, Henry VI, but now that England is peaceful again Richard finds himself unsuited to the courtly environment. While his brother King Edward IV enjoys feasting, art, and romance, Richard is deformed and therefore considers himself unfit for such pastimes. Since he cannot be a successful courtly lover during peace, Richard decides to become a villain instead.

Richard reveals to the audience that he has decided to implement a treacherous scheme to become king. His first task is to encourage his brother Edward to have their other brother, George, the Duke of Clarence, executed. Edward fears that George might be the subject of a prophecy that has predicted that a man with the letter “G” in his name will destroy Edward’s heirs.

Richard notices George being led to prison in the Tower of London and stops to talk with him.