Question

What is the meaning of the underlined words in this excerpt from act I, scene I, of Richard III?

RICHARD III (Duke of Gloucester):
Why, this it is, when men are ruled by women:
'Tis not the king that sends you to the Tower:
My Lady Grey his wife, Clarence, 'tis she
That tempers him to this extremity.
Was it not she and that good man of worship,
Anthony Woodville, her brother there,
That made him send Lord Hastings to the Tower,
From whence this present day he is deliver'd?
We are not safe, Clarence; we are not safe.

GEORGE PLANTAGENET (Duke of Clarence):
By heaven, I think there's no man is secure
But the queen's kindred and night-walking heralds
That trudge betwixt the king and Mistress Shore.
Heard ye not what an humble suppliant
Lord hastings was to her for his delivery?

The meaning of the word tempers is
A) to be upset

B) to be angry

C) to exercise control over

The meaning of the word suppliant is
A) a person who wears distinctive clothes, such as uniform, for the purpose of their job

B) a person who respectfully asks for something from someone more powerful

C) a person who easily agrees with the opinion of someone higher authority

Answer 1

1. I think that this is C, however either A or B would make sense as well.
2. B

Answer 2

The answer for temper is C: to exercise control over. There are other indications of a controlling force in the excerpt: "when men are ruled by women" " 'Tis not the king...'tis she...that made him send Lord Hastings to the Tower".

The answer for suppliant is B: a person who respectfully asks for something from someone more powerful. "Lord Hastings was a humble suppliant to her for his delivery."