Hastings and Catesby

The conversation between Hastings and Catesby follows the theme of God's decisions. Hastings says, "God knows I will not do it, to the death." (3.2.57). Then Catesby replies with, "God keep your Lordship in that gracious mind." (3.2.58). This continuous theme of God and his knowledge shows up many times in the play. At this point they are talking about Richard holding the crown and how he soon will be king. God's inevitable punishment lies with Richard because of the back-handed, evil things he's been doing. Hastings says how he will not stand to see Richard be king when he says, "I'll have this crown of mine cut from my shoulders/ Before i'll see the crown so foul misplaced." (3.2.45-46). Richard is the only person that can handle the crown because his two brothers are dead and the princes are too young; however, Catesby later brings up the idea that Hastings should be king. He would handle it much better and be brilliant within the land. Hastings disagrees and shuns this idea.