William Hastings is a faithful supporter of the House of York. His overconfidence in the safety of his position and his resentment against the Woodvilles makes him an easy target for Richard to manipulate. During Act 3 Scene 2 he rejoices in the pending execution of his enemies Rivers, Grey, and Vaughan, and dismisses Stanley’s warning to flee north as he is complacent and secure with his position, believing that he is in good graces with Richard. However, his loyalty to Edward IV becomes his downfall when he unknowingly signs his own death warrant after telling Catesby that “I’ll have the crown of mine cut from my shoulders / Before I’ll see the crown so foul misplaced” on Richard’s head. He generates a surfeit of dramatic irony during the council meeting in Act 3 Scene 4 when he calls Richard an honest man who is easy to read “for by his face straight shall you know his heart.” Thus it is clear that Shakespeare uses Hastings’s ignorance of Richard’s true nature to demonstrate to the audience just how deceptive Richard can be with his false façades. After Richard finds an excuse to accuse Hastings of treachery, Hastings undergoes anagnorisis and finally sees Richard for who he is, a “bloody” murderer. His realisation comes too late as Hastings is then taken away to be executed, adding yet another name to the list of Richard’s victims.
