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King Richard III

William Shakespeare

3.91(55903 readers)
Jealous and crippled, Richard of Gloucester wants to be King of England and uses manipulation and deceit to achieve his goal. He murders his brothers, nephews, and any opposition to become King Richard III. In the end, Henry of Richmond raises an army, kills Richard in battle, and becomes King Henry VII.

Publisher

OTB eBook publishing

Publication Date

5/10/2022

ISBN

9783987441257

Pages

229

Categories

History

About the Author

Portrait of author William Shakespeare
William Shakespeare
William Shakespeare was an English playwright, poet, and actor. He is widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world's pre-eminent dramatist. He is often called England's national poet and the "Bard of Avon" (or simply "the Bard"). His extant works, including collaborations, consist of some 39 plays, 154 sonnets, three long narrative poems, and a few other verses, some of uncertain authorship. His plays have been translated into every major living language and are performed more often than those of any other playwright. Shakespeare remains arguably the most influential writer in the English language, and his works continue to be studied and reinterpreted.
Shakespeare was born and raised in Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire. At the age of 18, he married Anne Hathaway, with whom he had three children: Susanna, and twins Hamnet and Judith. Sometime between 1585 and 1592, he began a successful career in London as an actor, writer, and part-owner ("sharer") of a playing company called the Lord Chamberlain's Men, later known as the King's Men after the ascension of King James VI and I of Scotland to the English throne. At age 49 (around 1613), he appears to have retired to Stratford, where he died three years later. Few records of Shakespeare's private life survive; this has stimulated considerable speculation about such matters as his physical appearance, his sexuality, his religious beliefs, and even certain fringe theories as to whether the works attributed to him were written by others.
Shakespeare produced most of his known works between 1589 and 1613. His early plays were primarily comedies and histories and are regarded as some of the best works produced in these genres. He then wrote mainly tragedies until 1608, among them Hamlet, Romeo and Juliet, Othello, King Lear, and Macbeth, all considered to be among the finest works in the English language. In the last phase of his life, he wrote tragicomedies (also known as romances) and collaborated with other playwrights.
Many of Shakespeare's plays were published in editions of varying quality and accuracy during his lifetime. However, in 1623, John Heminge and Henry Condell, two fellow actors and friends of Shakespeare's, published a more definitive text known as the First Folio, a posthumous collected edition of Shakespeare's dramatic works that includes 36 of his plays. Its Preface was a prescient poem by Ben Jonson, a former rival of Shakespeare, that hailed Shakespeare with the now famous epithet: "not of an age, but for all time".

Questions & Answers

Richard III's ambition is characterized by its extreme and often ruthless nature. He is driven by a desire for power and control, which shapes the entire course of the play. His ambition is so intense that it leads him to commit numerous acts of treachery, murder, and deceit to secure the English throne.

Throughout the play, Richard's ambition is evident in his willingness to manipulate and betray those closest to him, including his own family. He kills his nephews, the Princes in the Tower, to eliminate potential rivals, and he plots against his brother, Edward IV, to seize power. His ambition also drives him to manipulate the political landscape, as seen in his cunning use of propaganda and his ability to sway public opinion.

Richard's ambition ultimately leads to his downfall. His constant need for power and his inability to trust others result in a series of alliances and betrayals that weaken his position. His ambition also leads him to overestimate his own abilities, as seen in his overconfidence during the Battle of Bosworth Field, where he is ultimately defeated and killed. The play thus serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of unchecked ambition and the consequences of using treachery and violence to achieve one's goals.

Shakespeare portrays women in "King Richard III" as complex and influential characters. Queen Elizabeth, Lady Anne, and Margaret each embody different aspects of female power and vulnerability.

Queen Elizabeth is depicted as a wise and strategic political player, using her intelligence and influence to navigate the treacherous political landscape. She is portrayed as a strong queen in her own right, capable of making decisions that affect the kingdom.

Lady Anne, initially a mourning widow, becomes a symbol of Richard's manipulative nature. Her vulnerability and emotional responses are exploited by Richard, who uses her to further his own agenda. Her character highlights the use of women as pawns in political games.

Margaret, the widowed queen mother, is a powerful presence, using her grief and curses to influence the actions of others. Her role emphasizes the idea that women can wield significant power through their emotional and spiritual influence.

Overall, Shakespeare portrays women as complex figures with the ability to shape events, but also as vulnerable to manipulation and the whims of powerful men.

The supernatural elements in "King Richard III" serve several significant purposes. Firstly, they underscore the theme of fate and predestination. The prophecies, like the one that predicts the murder of Edward's heirs, foreshadow Richard's actions and the inevitability of his downfall. This adds a sense of inevitability to the plot, suggesting that Richard's actions are part of a larger, predetermined plan.

Secondly, the ghosts of Richard's victims, including his brothers and nephews, serve as moral compasses. They remind the audience of the consequences of Richard's actions, emphasizing the idea that evil deeds will be punished. These ghosts also provide emotional depth to the characters, allowing the audience to empathize with their tragic fates.

Furthermore, the supernatural elements contribute to the play's dramatic tension. The appearance of ghosts and the fulfillment of prophecies create suspense and unpredictability, keeping the audience engaged throughout the narrative. Overall, the supernatural elements in "King Richard III" enhance the play's themes of fate, morality, and drama.

Shakespeare employs the motif of deformity in "King Richard III" to explore themes of appearance versus reality and the role of perception in shaping character. Richard, the protagonist, is physically deformed, which he uses as a tool to manipulate others. His deformity is a mask, a facade that allows him to project an image of humility and innocence, thereby gaining the trust of others. This manipulation highlights the theme of appearance versus reality, as Richard's true nature is hidden beneath his outward appearance.

The play also examines how perception shapes character. Richard's deformity is used to justify his actions; he claims that his physical defects make him unlovable, thus freeing him from moral constraints. This perception is internalized by others, who believe Richard's lies and view him as a villain. The play suggests that perception can be a dangerous thing, as it can lead to the misjudgment of individuals based on superficial traits.

Furthermore, the contrast between Richard's outward appearance and his inner character underscores the theme that one's true nature is not always visible. The play questions whether a person's worth is determined by their looks or their actions, and it suggests that appearances can be deceiving. Through Richard's character, Shakespeare challenges the audience to look beyond the surface and consider the complexities of human nature.

"King Richard III" ultimately explores the corrupting nature of power, the illusion of justice, and the complexities of the human condition. The play portrays Richard III as a cunning and ruthless manipulator who uses his deformity as a mask to hide his true nature. His rise to power is marked by deceit, murder, and betrayal, illustrating how power can distort the moral compass and lead to tyranny.

The play questions the concept of justice, as Richard's actions are not met with the justice he expects. The ghosts of his victims haunt him, and his own death is a testament to the idea that evil is eventually punished. However, the play also suggests that justice is not always served in this life, leaving room for ambiguity.

The human condition is depicted through the characters' struggles with their flaws and desires. Richard's ambition and greed lead to his downfall, while other characters, like Buckingham and Queen Margaret, are also shown to be flawed and ultimately meet悲惨 ends. The play ultimately suggests that while humans may strive for power and justice, the complexities of their nature often lead to tragic consequences.

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