Introduction / Context:
This general knowledge question comes from a mixture of history and literature. The dramatic line "My kingdom for a horse" is associated with an English king in a desperate moment on the battlefield. The famous wording comes from a play by William Shakespeare that portrays a real historical king during a crucial battle. Identifying the correct king helps learners connect historical events, literary works, and cultural references that frequently appear in quizzes and examinations.
Given Data / Assumptions:
- The question mentions the line "My kingdom for a horse".
- It is linked to an English king in a battlefield situation.
- Options list several English monarchs from different periods.
- The learner is expected to recall which king Shakespeare depicted with this cry.
Concept / Approach:
The line appears in Shakespeare play Richard the Third, which portrays King Richard the Third during the Battle of Bosworth Field. In the play he shouts "A horse, a horse, my kingdom for a horse" when he finds himself in danger and in need of a horse to continue fighting. Although the exact words are literary, they have become part of popular culture and are strongly linked with the historical figure of King Richard the Third. To answer correctly, one must connect the quote with the title character of this play and not confuse him with other monarchs named Richard or with more famous but different kings like Henry the Eighth.
Step-by-Step Solution:
1. Recognise that the question refers to a famous dramatic line rather than a literal historical record.
2. Recall that Shakespeare wrote a tragedy titled Richard the Third, focusing on the last Plantagenet king of England.
3. Remember that in this play the king cries "My kingdom for a horse" during the Battle of Bosworth as his situation becomes desperate.
4. Look through the options for Richard III, the king whose name matches the play title.
5. Confirm that Richard III is therefore the correct answer, while other options refer to different monarchs from other periods.
Verification / Alternative check:
For verification, a learner can recall that the Battle of Bosworth Field, where Richard the Third died, marked the end of the Wars of the Roses and the beginning of the Tudor dynasty under Henry the Seventh. Shakespeare chose this battle as the climax of his play and gave Richard the memorable line about exchanging his kingdom for a horse. No similar quotation is attached to Henry the Eighth, Richard the Second, Charles the First, or Edward the Seventh in standard literature. English literature and history guides consistently link this phrase with Richard the Third, confirming the correctness of that option.
Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Henry VIII is widely known for his six marriages and the break with the Roman Church, but he is not associated with this dramatic battlefield line.
Richard II was another king whose reign ended with his deposition, but Shakespeare gave him different dialogues; the specific cry about a horse belongs to Richard III.
Charles I is connected with the English Civil War and his later execution, not with the Battle of Bosworth or the quoted line.
Edward VII ruled in the early twentieth century, long after medieval battles, and has no connection with the Shakespearean quote in question.
Common Pitfalls:
Students may confuse Richard II and Richard III because of the similar names or may choose a more familiar king like Henry VIII simply because his name stands out. Others forget that the quote is from a Shakespeare play and not from a more recent historical event. To avoid such mistakes, it is useful to remember the simple association: Richard the Third, the last Yorkist king killed at Bosworth, is the one portrayed as crying "My kingdom for a horse" in literature. Fixing this pair of name and line in memory will help answer many related questions quickly.
Final Answer:
The correct answer is
Richard III.
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