ABSTRACT
This chapter argues that for the most part expressions of fear take the form of bogie rumours which then create fears of their own. By taking the form of rumour, fear is empowered to play a decisive role in the rise and fall of Richard. The chapter examines the curses: Only through their affinity to rumour can they uncannily resurface as the fearful dreams of Clarence and Richard. Just as these dreams are retold and turn into freely circulating bogie rumours, Richard's strategically spread bogie rumours break loose from their initial purpose and strike back at their inventor while provoking pipe dreams. The most potent source of uncertainty is Richard himself, whose sharpest weapon is, of course, language. Critics have tried to see deeper significance in Richard's ambiguous language. Richard steps into a world in which uncertainties illustrate the disorderly state of England, whose legendary causes were well-known to William Shakespeare's audience.
