In the first act of Richard III and elsewhere, there’s an interesting thread that runs through: the idea of killing/murdering someone and thus sending that someone to heaven. It’s often used ironically, in the context of Richard’s violence against his victims.

First moment I can think of: in an aside, Richard says of Clarence “that I will shortly send thy soul to heaven”

It’s very much the embodiment, to me, of “moralizing two meanings in one word”

And in a soliloquy of sorts, after the princes were murdered, he speaks “The sons of Edward sleep in Abraham’s bosom.”

Of course these lines are spoken by people who murder others for various motives, with very little concern for those whom they murder. It’s also interesting that at least Henry VI and the Princes die with some prayer book. Clarence has remorse but I don’t know if he repents.

Another moment: when Richard speaks with Anne, he says of Henry VI’s death, “The better for the king of heaven that hath them” and “Let him thank me, that help to send him thither”

And the murderers speak to Clarence: “why so he doth [love you], when he delivers you/From this earth’s thraldom to the joys of heaven”

@valerie_pye what do you make of this thread in R3?