King Richard III, Shakespeare

8/13/2019 King Richard III, Shakespeare

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King Richard III

1. Context

T HE MOST INFLUENTIAL WRITER in all of English literature, William Shakeseare !as "orn in #$%&to a 'su((essful

mi))le'(lass glo*e'maker in Stratfor)'uon'A*on, Englan)+ Shakeseare atten)e) grammar s(hool, "ut his formal e)u(ation

ro(ee)e) no further+ In #$-he marrie) an ol)er !oman, Anne Hatha!a., an) ha) three (hil)ren !ith her+

Aroun) #$/0he left his famil. "ehin) an) tra*ele) to Lon)on to !ork as an a(tor an) la.!right+ 1u"li( an) (riti(al a((laim

2ui(kl. follo!e), an) Shakeseare e*entuall. "e(ame the most 'oular la.!right in Englan) an) art'o!ner of the 3lo"e

Theater+ His (areer "ri)ge) the reigns of Eli4a"eth I 5rule) #$$6#%078 an) 9ames I 5rule) #%076#%-$8, an) he !as a

fa*orite of "oth monar(hs+ In)ee), 9ames grante) Shakeseare:s (oman. the greatest ossi"le (omliment ". "esto!ing

uon its mem"ers the title of ;ing:s Men+ Wealth. an) reno!ne), Shakeseare retire) to Stratfor) an) )ie) in #%#%at the

age of fift.'t!o+ At the time of Shakeseare:s )eath, 'literar. luminaries su(h as


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For a num"er of )e(a)es in the late fifteenth (entur., Englan):s ro.al famil. !as lo(ke) in a o!er struggle that erio)i(all.

erute) into *iolen(e+ Historians ha*e la"ele) this "attle the Wars of the Roses, after the famil. s.m"ols of the t!o

(onten)ing grous the Lan(aster famil., s.m"oli4e) ". a re) rose, an) the ork famil., s.m"oli4e) ". a !hite one+

The ro"lems "egan in the late fourteenth (entur., !ith the )eath of the long'li*e) ;ing E)!ar) III, of the house of

1lantagenet+ E)!ar) III ha) se*en sons, of !hom the fourth an) fifth "e(ame the fathers of ).nasties+ The el)er !as (alle)

9ohn of 3aunt, the )uke of Lan(aster, an) his .ounger "rother !as (alle) E)mun) of Langle., )uke of ork+ Their

)es(en)ants forme) t!o imortant (lans=the Lan(asters an) the orks+ amle, e*en !hen ;ing

E)!ar) himself )ies, he !ill lea*e "ehin) t!o sons !ho are in line for the throne the .oung 1rin(e E)!ar), the (ro!n rin(e,

an) his "rother, the .oung )uke of ork+ Fortunatel. for Ri(har):s uroses, the. are still (hil)ren, an) the. meet their final

fate as the unfortunate @rin(es in the To!er+B The mother of the rin(es is ueen Eli4a"eth, of the Woo)e*ille famil., an)

she has o!erful an) intelligent kinsmen !ho !ill tr. to rote(t her an) her (hil)ren, thus making the 2ueen:s kin .et another

threat to Ri(har)+ The ro.al (oule also has a )aughter, .oung Eli4a"eth, !ho !ill later "e(ome an imortant a!n in ro.al

marriage negotiations+

In a))ition to all of these o"sta(les to the throne, Ri(har):s trusting el)er "rother, the )uke of ?laren(e, also "lo(ks Ri(har):s

roa) to o!er+ Ri(har) must )isose of ?laren(e in or)er to (lear the line of )es(ent an) sei4e the throne+ Finall., Ri(har)fin)s himself un)er threat from an une>e(te) sour(e Henr. Tu)or, the earl of Ri(hmon), a )es(en)ant of a se(on)ar.

"ran(h of the Lan(asters 5from 9ohn of 3aunt:s thir) !ife8, has "een gathering o!er o*erseas+ Ri(hmon) feels that he has

a (laim to the throne for !hi(h he is !illing to (hallenge Ri(har)=setting us u for the final sho!)o!n "et!een the Houses

of ork an) Lan(aster at the


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the hainess of those aroun) him+ Mali(ious, o!er'hungr., an) "itter a"out his h.si(al )eformit., Ri(har) "egins to

asire se(retl. to the throne=an) )e(i)es to kill an.one he has to in or)er to "e(ome king+

Using his intelligen(e an) his skills of )e(etion an) oliti(al maniulation, Ri(har) "egins his (amaign for the throne+ He

maniulates a no"le!oman, La). Anne, into marr.ing him=e*en though she kno!s that he mur)ere) her first hus"an)+ He

has his o!n ol)er "rother, ?laren(e, e>e(ute), an) shifts the "ur)en of guilt onto his si(k ol)er "rother ;ing E)!ar) in or)er

to a((elerate E)!ar):s illness an) )eath+ After ;ing E)!ar) )ies, Ri(har) "e(omes lor) rote(tor of Englan)=the figure in

(harge until the el)er of E)!ar):s t!o sons gro!s u+

Ne>t Ri(har) kills the (ourt no"lemen !ho are lo.al to the rin(es, most nota"l. Lor) Hastings, the lor) (ham"erlain of

Englan)+ He then has the "o.s: relati*es on their mother:s si)e=the o!erful kinsmen of E)!ar):s !ife, ueen Eli4a"eth=

arreste) an) e>e(ute)+ With Eli4a"eth an) the rin(es no! unrote(te), Ri(har) has his oliti(al allies, arti(ularl. his right'

han) man, Lor)


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-nne' The .oung !i)o! of 1rin(e E)!ar), !ho !as the son of the former king, Henr. I+ La). Anne hates Ri(har) for the

)eath of her hus"an), "ut for reasons of oliti(s=an) for sa)isti( leasure=Ri(har) ersua)es Anne to marr. him+

+uc"ess o /ork' Wi)o!e) mother of Ri(har), ?laren(e, an) ;ing E)!ar) I+ The )u(hess of ork is Eli4a"eth:s mother'

in'la!, an) she is *er. rote(ti*e of Eli4a"eth an) her (hil)ren, !ho are the )u(hess:s gran)(hil)ren+ She is angr. !ith, an)

e*entuall. (urses, Ri(har) for his heinous a(tions+

0argaret' Wi)o! of the )ea) ;ing Henr. I, an) mother of the slain 1rin(e E)!ar)+ In me)ie*al times, !hen kings !ere

)eose), their (hil)ren !ere often kille) to remo*e an. threat from the ro.al line of )es(ent="ut their !i*es !ere left ali*e

"e(ause the. !ere (onsi)ere) harmless+ Margaret !as the !ife of the king "efore E)!ar), the Lan(astrian Henr. I, !ho

!as su"se2uentl. )eose) an) mur)ere) 5along !ith their (hil)ren8 ". the famil. of ;ing E)!ar) I an) Ri(har)+ She is

em"ittere) an) hates "oth Ri(har) an) the eole he is tr.ing to get ri) of, all of !hom !ere (omli(it in the )estru(tion of

the Lan(asters+

"e rinces' The t!o .oung sons of ;ing E)!ar) I an) his !ife, Eli4a"eth, their names are a(tuall. 1rin(e E)!ar) an)

the .oung )uke of ork, "ut the. are often referre) to (olle(ti*el.+ Agents of Ri(har) mur)er these "o.s=Ri(har):s nehe!s

=in the To!er of Lon)on+ oung 1rin(e E)!ar), the rightful heir to the throne, shoul) not "e (onfuse) !ith the el)er

E)!ar), rin(e of Wales 5the first hus"an) of La). Anne, an) the son of the former king, Henr. I+8, !ho !as kille) "efore

the la. "egins+

/oung %li)a*et"' The former ueen Eli4a"eth:s )aughter+ oung Eli4a"eth enCo.s the fate of man. Renaissan(e

no"le!omen+ She "e(omes a a!n in oliti(al o!er'"rokering, an) is romise) in marriage at the en) of the la. to

Ri(hmon), the Lan(astrian re"el lea)er, in or)er to unite the !arring houses of ork an) Lan(aster+

#atclie, Cates*y' T!o of Ri(har):s flunkies among the no"ilit.+

yrrell' A mur)erer !hom Ri(har) hires to kill his .oung (ousins, the rin(es in the To!er of Lon)on+

#ic"mond' A mem"er of a "ran(h of the Lan(aster ro.al famil.+ Ri(hmon) gathers a for(e of re"els to (hallenge Ri(har)

for the throne+ He is meant to reresent goo)ness, Custi(e, an) fairness=all the things Ri(har) )oes not+ Ri(hmon) is

ortra.e) in su(h a glo!ing light in art "e(ause he foun)e) the Tu)or ).nast., !hi(h still rule) Englan) in Shakeseare:s

)a.+

Hastings' A lor) !ho maintains his integrit., remaining lo.al to the famil. of ;ing E)!ar) I+ Hastings !in)s u )ea) for

making the mistake of trusting Ri(har)+

tanley' The stefather of Ri(hmon)+ Lor) Stanle., earl of er"., se(retl. hels Ri(hmon), although he (annot es(ae

Ri(har):s !at(hful ga4e+

Lord 0ayor o London' A gulli"le an) suggesti"le fello! !hom Ri(har) an) loration of the s.(holog. of e*il, an) that e>loration is (entere)

on Ri(har):s min)+ ?riti(s sometimes (omare Ri(har) to the me)ie*al (hara(ter, i(e, !ho !as a flat an) one'si)e)

em"o)iment of e*il+ Ho!e*er, ese(iall. in the later s(enes of the la., Ri(har) ro*es to "e highl. self'refle(ti*e an)

(omli(ate)=making his heinous a(ts all the more (hilling+

1erhas more than in an. other la. ". Shakeseare, the au)ien(e ofRichard IIIe>erien(es a (omle>, am"iguous, an)highl. (hangea"le relationshi !ith the main (hara(ter+ Ri(har) is (learl. a *illain=he )e(lares outright in his *er. first

see(h that he inten)s to sto at nothing to a(hie*e his nefarious )esigns+


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Ri(har):s long, fas(inating monologues, in !hi(h he outlines his lans an) gleefull. (onfesses all his e*il thoughts, are

(entral to the au)ien(e:s e>erien(e of Ri(har)+ Shakeseare uses these monologues "rilliantl. to (ontrol the au)ien(e:s

imression of Ri(har), ena"ling this maniulati*e rotagonist to !ork his (harms on the au)ien(e+ In A(t I, s(ene i, for

e>amle, Ri(har) )olefull. (laims that his mali(e to!ar) others stems from the fa(t that he is unlo*e), an) that he is unlo*e)

"e(ause of his h.si(al )eformit.+ This (laim, !hi(h (asts the other (hara(ters of the la. as *illains for unishing Ri(har) for

his aearan(e, makes it eas. to s.mathi4e !ith Ri(har) )uring the first s(enes of the la.+

It 2ui(kl. "e(omes aarent, ho!e*er, that Ri(har) siml. uses his )eformit. as a tool to gain the s.math. of others=

in(lu)ing us+ Ri(har):s e*il is a mu(h more innate art of his (hara(ter than simle "itterness a"out his ugl. "o).+ erting his (harisma on the

au)ien(e, his real nature "e(omes mu(h more aarent, an) ". the en) of the la. he (an "e seen for the monster that he

is+

7. "e Princes

The most famous (rime of the histori(al Ri(har) III, an) the )ee) for !hi(h he !as most )emoni4e) in the (entur. follo!ing

his )eath, is his mur)er of the t!o .oung rin(es in the To!er of Lon)on+ For (enturies after the )eath of E)!ar) I, the fate

of the rin(es !as a m.ster.=all that !as kno!n !as that the. ha) )isaeare)+ It !as se(ulate) that Ri(har) ha) them

kille), it !as se(ulate) that the. ha) sent their entire li*es as risoners in the to!er, an) it !as se(ulate) that the. ha)es(ae) an) li*e) a"roa)+ The English author Sir Thomas More !rote that the. !ere kille) an) "urie) at the foot of a

stair(ase in the White To!er+ Man. .ears later, in #%J&, !orkers in the To!er of Lon)on )is(o*ere) t!o tin. skeletons

hi))en in a (hest "urie) "eneath a stair(ase of the to!er+ The skeletons )ate from aro>imatel. the late fifteenth (entur.,

an) ser*e as the "est e*i)en(e that the .oung sons of E)!ar) I !ere in fa(t mur)ere) in the to!er+ There is still no

(on(lusi*e roof that it !as Ri(har) !ho ha) them mur)ere)=some s(holars e*en think it (oul) ha*e "een Ri(hmon)+ Still,

thanks to oular legen), Shakeseare:s la., an) the "iograh. of Ri(har) that More !rote a fe! .ears "efore the la.,

Ri(har) has gone )o!n in histor. as the most likel. (ulrit+


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1;. "emes

Themes are the fundamenta and often uni!ersa ideas e"#ored in a iterary wor$.

11. "e -llure o %vil

When Ri(har) (laims that his )eformit. is the (ause of his !i(ke) !a.s, he seems to "e maniulating us for s.math., Cust

as he maniulates the other (hara(ters throughout the la.+ As a result, Richard III)oes not e>lore the (ause of e*il in the

human min) so mu(h as it e>lores its oeration, )ei(ting the !orkings of Ri(har):s min) an) the metho)s he uses to

maniulate, (ontrol, an) inCure others for his o!n gain+ ?entral to this ase(t of the la. is the i)ea that Ri(har):s *i(tims are

(omli(it in their o!n )estru(tion+ 9ust as La). Anne allo!s herself to "e se)u(e) ". Ri(har), e*en kno!ing that he !ill kill

her, other (hara(ters allo! themsel*es to "e taken in ". his (harisma an) o*erlook his )ishonest. an) *iolent "eha*ior+ This

ten)en(. is e(hoe) in Ri(har):s relationshi !ith the au)ien(e for mu(h of the la.+ E*en though the au)ien(e is likel. to "e

reulse) ". Ri(har):s a(tions, his gleeful, "rilliant, re*ealing monologues (ause most *ie!ers to like him an) e*en hoe that

he !ill su((ee) )esite his o"*ious mali(e+

12. "e Connection Beteen #uler and tate

The so'(alle) !in)o! s(enes inRichard IIIthe (on*ersation of the (ommon eole in A(t II, s(ene iiiG lores a theme Shakeseare later re*isite) in Hametan) %aceth

the i)ea that the moral righteousness of a oliti(al ruler has a )ire(t "earing on the health of the state+ A state !ith a goo)

ruler !ill ten) to flourish 5as enmark )oes un)er ;ing Hamlet8, !hile a state !ith a "a) ruler !ill ten) to suffer 5as S(otlan)

)oes un)er Ma("eth8+

13. "e Poer o Language

An interesting se(on)ar. theme of Richard IIIis the o!er of language, or the imortan(e of language in a(hie*ing oliti(al

o!er+ Language ma. not al!a.s "e a ne(essar. instrument of o!er, "ut for Ri(har), it is a (ru(ial !eaon+ His

e>traor)inar. skill !ith !or)s ena"les him to maniulate, (onfuse, an) (ontrol those aroun) him+ Ri(har):s skill !ithlanguage an) argument is !hat ena"les him to !oo La). Anne, ha*e ?laren(e thro!n in rison, kee the Woo)*illes off his

tra(k, "lame the king for ?laren(e:s )eath, an) a(hie*e Hastings:s e>e(ution, all at *er. little risk to himself+ Interestingl.,

language also seems to "e the onl. )efense against Ri(har), as is sho!n !hen the rin(es mat(h his skill at !or)la. an)

thus in)i(ate their a"ilit. to see through his s(hemes+ In su(h (ases, Ri(har) siml. uses *iolen(e as an e>e)ient an) has

his enemies, in(lu)ing the rin(es, ut to )eath+

1!. "e Birt" o t"e udor +ynasty

Richard III)ramati4es a ke. turning oint in English histor. the en) of the Wars of the Roses an) the rise to o!er of the

Tu)or ).nast. in the figure of Henr. II+ The Tu)ors (ontinue) to rule Englan) in Shakeseare:s )a.=ueen Eli4a"eth I,

!ho sat on the throne !hen Richard III!as !ritten, !as a Tu)or+ As a la.!right in si>teenth'(entur. Englan), Shakeseare

ha) to (ourt the fa*or of those in o!er, !ho literall. (oul) make or "reak his (areer+ As a result, Shakeseare:s ortra.al of

Ri(har) III as a *ile, hateful *illain is in art )esigne) to set u a glorious as(ension for Henr. II at the en) of the la.+

Henr. o*erthre! Ri(har), after all, an) the !orse Ri(har) seems, the "etter Henr. !ill seem for )efeating himG moreo*er, the

"etter Henr. seems, the more likel. the Tu)ors are to aro*e of Shakeseare:s la.+ Ha) Shakeseare ortra.e) Ri(har)

as a hero, then Henr. might ha*e seeme) *illainous for usuring his throne, an) Shakeseare might ha*e fallen from fa*or

!ith ueen Eli4a"eth+ Of (ourse, these oliti(al (onsi)erations are ". no means the main fo(us of the la.=Shakeseare:s

e>loration of the s.(holog. of e*il stan)s on its o!n an) trans(en)s mere roagan)a+ Still, it is imortant to reali4e that

the histor. Shakeseare re(ounts in his stor. !as still *er. mu(h ali*e !hen he !rote it, an) that the (onsi)erations of his

o!n time strongl. affe(te) his ortra.al of the ast+

14. 0otis


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%otifs are recurrin' structures, contrasts, or iterary de!ices that can he# to de!eo# and inform the te"t(s ma)or themes.

16. "e uernatural

For a la. suose)l. "ase) on a(tual histor., Richard IIIin*ol*es an e>traor)inar. num"er of suernatural elements+ Some

of these elements are Margaret:s roheti( (urses, ?laren(e an) Stanle.:s roheti( )reams, the allegations of !it(h(raft

Ri(har) le*els at Eli4a"eth an) mistress Shore, the (ontinual asso(iation of Ri(har) !ith )e*ils an) )emons 5for e>amle, he

is often (alle) a hellhoun)8, Ri(har):s (omarison of himself to the shae'shifting 1roteus, the 1rin(es: )is(ussion of theghosts of their )ea) un(les, an)=most signifi(ant=the ara)e of ele*en ghosts that *isits Ri(har) an) Ri(hmon) the night

"efore the "attle+ These suernatural elements ser*e to (reate an atmoshere of intense )rea) an) gloom that mat(hes the

mali(e an) e*il of Ri(har):s inner self, an) also ser*e to heighten the sense that Ri(har):s reign is innatel. e*il, transforming

Englan) into a kin) of 3othi( nether!orl)+

17. +reams

The motif of roheti( )reams is art of the la.:s larger reo((uation !ith the suernatural, "ut the i)ea of )reams

emerges as its o!n searate motif after Stanle.:s )ream a"out Hastings:s )eath+ ?laren(e an) Stanle. "oth ha*e )reams

that not onl. re)i(t the future, "ut that are also hea*. !ith imortant s.m"olism+ For e>amle, ?laren(e:s )ream in*ol*es

Ri(har) (ausing his )ro!ning at sea+ Imme)iatel. after it, he is )ro!ne) in a (ask of !ine ". mur)erers hire) ". Ri(har)+ In

a))ition, Stanle.:s )ream in*ol*es Hastings "eing gore) ". a "oar=Ri(har):s heral)i( s.m"ol+ Imme)iatel. after it, Ri(har)

or)ers Hastings:s e>e(ution+

18. ym*ols

*ymos are o)ects, characters, fi'ures, or coors used to re#resent astract ideas or conce#ts.

19. "e Boar

The "oar is Ri(har):s heral)i( s.m"ol, an) is use) se*eral times throughout the la. to reresent him, most nota"l. in

Stanle.:s )ream a"out Hastings:s )eath+ The i)ea of the "oar is also la.e) on in )es(ri"ing Ri(har):s )eformit., an)

Ri(har) is (urse) ". the )u(hess as an @a"orti*e, rooting hogB 5I+iii+ --$8+ The "oar !as one of the most )angerous animals

that eole hunte) in the Mi))le Ages an) Renaissan(e, an) Shakeseare:s au)ien(e !oul) ha*e asso(iate) it !ith

untame) aggression an) un(ontrolla"le *iolen(e+

2;. -ct &, scene i

. . . since I cannot #ro!e a o!er

To entertain these fair we+s#o$en days,

I am determined to #ro!e a !iain

nd hate the ide #easures of these days.

21. ummary

Ri(har), the )uke of 3lou(ester, seaks in a monologue a))resse) to himself an) to the au)ien(e+ After a length. (i*il !ar,

he sa.s, ea(e at last has returne) to the ro.al house of Englan)+ Ri(har) sa.s that his ol)er "rother, ;ing E)!ar) I, no!

sits on the throne, an) e*er.one aroun) Ri(har) is in*ol*e) in a great (ele"ration+


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?laren(e himself no! enters, un)er arme) guar)+ Ri(har):s rumor'lanting has !orke), an) ?laren(e is "eing le) to the

To!er of Lon)on, !here English oliti(al risoners !ere tra)itionall. imrisone) an) often e>e(ute)+ Ri(har), reten)ing to

"e *er. sa) to see ?laren(e ma)e a risoner, suggests to ?laren(e that ;ing E)!ar) must ha*e "een influen(e) ". his !ife,

ueen Eli4a"eth, or ". his mistress, La). Shore, to "e(ome susi(ious of ?laren(e+ Ri(har) romises that he !ill tr. to ha*e

?laren(e set free+ t ste is to tr. to marr. a no"le!oman name) La). Anne Ne*ille+ An allian(e !ith her !oul) hel

Ri(har) on his !a. to the throne+ La). Anne re(entl. has "een !i)o!e)=she !as marrie) to the son of the re*ious king,

Henr. I, !ho re(entl. !as )eose) an) mur)ere), along !ith his son, ". Ri(har):s famil.+ Anne is thus in )ee mourning+

hausting (i*il !ar for the throne of Englan), !hi(h "oile) )o!n to a (ontest "et!een t!o families the House of ork an)

the House of Lan(aster+ This (i*il !ar is kno!n as the Wars of the Roses, "e(ause of the !hite an) re) roses that

s.m"oli4e) the houses of ork an) of Lan(aster, rese(ti*el.+ Ri(har):s si)e, the House of ork, e*entuall. !ins, an)

Ri(har):s ol)est "rother, E)!ar), is no! ;ing E)!ar) I+

This kno!le)ge of the re(ent (i*il !ar hels us make sense of the oening lines, soken ". Ri(har) @No! is the !inter of

our )is(ontent D Ma)e glorious summer ". this son of orkG D An) all the (lou)s that loure) uon our homes D In the )ee

"osom of the o(ean "urie)B 5I+i+#6&8+ Ri(har):s "rother E)!ar) is the @son of orkB !ho has "rought @glorious summerB to

the king)om, an) Ri(har):s @!inter of our )is(ontentB is the re(entl. en)e) (i*il !ar+ The @houseB is the House of ork, to

!hi(h Ri(har) an) his "rothers E)!ar) an) ?laren(e "elong, an) !hi(h no! rules the king)om+

Ri(har):s oening see(h e>lains imortant elements of his (hara(ter+ He sa.s that "e(ause he (annot "e ha.=in art

"e(ause he feels that he (annot "e se>uall. su((essful !ith !omen=he has )e(i)e) to ruin these roserous times an)make e*er."o). else misera"le @Therefore sin(e I (annot ro*e a lo*er D To entertain these fair !ell'soken )a.s, D I am

)etermine) to ro*e a *illain D An) hate the i)le leasures of these )a.sB 5I+i+ -67#8+ He goes on to tell us ho! he has

"egun to srea) rumors that shoul) (ause ;ing E)!ar) to suse(t ?laren(e 5Ri(har), an) E)!ar):s "rother8, an) to unish

an) imrison him=lans !hose results "e(ome *isi"le !hen ?laren(e !alks onstage un)er guar)+

resses to!ar) his unha. "rother ?laren(e if !e

)i) not hear his earlier *o! to )estro. ?laren(e=a *o! !hi(h he reeats as soon as ?laren(e lea*es the stage+ Ri(har):s


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remarka"le skill at self'resentation has intrigue) generations of a(tors an) au)ien(es alike+ The (hara(ter Ri(har) is himself

an a(tor, la.ing a role to the other (hara(ters on stage+

Finall., this s(ene hints at the (omli(ate) !e" of s(hemes an) allian(es that gro!s e*en more (omle> )uring the (ourse of

the la.+ In Ri(har):s s(heme against ?laren(e, !e see the first (on(rete result of his su"tle an) h.o(riti(al )esigns+

A))itionall., in the s.mmetri(al e>(hange of no"lemen going in an) out of the To!er of Lon)on !e see ho! fleeting fa*or

must ha*e "een in the ro.al (ourt ?laren(e falls from ro.al fa*or an) is lo(ke) u, !hile Hastings regains it an) is free)+

This unre)i(ta"ilit. of fortune an) fa*or !as a oular literar. theme in Shakeseare:s )a.+

23. -ct &, scene ii

2!. ummary

La). Anne, the !i)o! of ;ing Henr. I:s son, E)!ar), enters the ro.al (astle !ith a grou of men "earing the (offin of Henr.

I+ She (urses Ri(har) for ha*ing kille) Henr.+


10/27

E)!ar), "e(ause Anne:s "eaut. ha) (ause) Ri(har) to lo*e her=an) that, therefore, E)!ar):s )eath is artiall. Anne:s

fault+ This ta(ti( (ulminates in the highl. maniulati*e, an) risk., gesture of Ri(har):s offering her his s!or) an) resenting

his (hest to her, sa.ing she ma. kill him if she (an+


11/27

mur)ere) her son, E)!ar)+ Finall., she (urses Ri(har), ra.ing to the hea*ens that Ri(har) !ill mistake his frien)s for

enemies, an) *i(e *ersa, an) that he !ill ne*er slee ea(efull.+

Margaret lea*es, an) ?ates"., a no"leman, enters to sa. that ;ing E)!ar) !ants to see his famil. an) seak !ith them+ The

others lea*e, "ut Ri(har) sta.s "ehin)+ He announ(es that he has set all his lans in motion an) is )e(ei*ing e*er."o). into

thinking that he is reall. a goo) erson+ T!o ne! men no! enter, mur)erers !hom Ri(har) has hire) to kill his "rother,

?laren(e, (urrentl. imrisone) in the To!er of Lon)on+

28. -nalysis

Ri(har):s see(hes in this s(ene )isla. his (al(ulate) h.o(ris.+ We kno! that Ri(har) has maniulate) matters "ehin) the

s(enes to ha*e ?laren(e imrisone) an) that he lans to ruin e*er."o). else in the (ourt an) ele*ate himself to o!er+


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the ghost of 1rin(e E)!ar)=the son of Henr. I an) first hus"an) of La). Anne=!hom ?laren(e himself ha) hele) to kill+

1rin(e E)!ar) (rie) out alou), (ursing ?laren(e, an) the Furies sei4e) ?laren(e to )rag him )o!n to hell+ ?laren(e then

!oke from the )ream, trem"ling an) terrifie)+


13/27

"e!et m. fortune, D An) hugge) me in his armsB 5I+i*+--/6-778+ This refusal to "elie*e that Ri(har) (oul) "e !i(ke) is a

oignant illustration of Cust ho! (on*in(ing Ri(har):s )e(etions (an "e+

32. -ct &&, scenes itraor)inar. uns(ruulousness, his skill at


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l.ing, an) his a"ilit. to maniulate other eole:s emotions+ Ri(har):s shameless h.o(ris. allo!s him to sa., erfe(tl.

(on*in(ingl., @QTis )eath to me to "e at enmit.+ D I hate it, an) )esire all goo) men:s lo*e+ + + + D I thank m. 3o) for m. humilit.B

5II+i+%#6J78+ It ma. seem strange that the no"lemen "elie*e him, "ut !e ha*e alrea). seen ho! (on*in(ing Ri(har) (an "e+

9ust as ?laren(e ro*es in(aa"le of "elie*ing that Ri(har) engineere) his )eath e*en as the mur)erers sent ". Ri(har)

reare to kill him, so )oes ?laren(e:s son, reson)ing to his gran)mother:s suggestion that Ri(har) or)ere) ?laren(e:s

)eath ". sa.ing, @I (annot think itB 5II+ii+778+

E)!ar):s long, angr. see(h at the en) of A(t II, s(ene i is his onl. maCor see(h, an) his last "efore he )ies+ It is unusuall.

tou(hing an) o!erful, an) it aeals to the imortan(e of lo.alt. an) lo*e o*er the maneu*ering an) flatter. that re*ails in

the (ourt+ E)!ar) asks !h. no mem"er of his (ourt remin)e) him in his rage of ho! mu(h he o!e) his "rother ?laren(eG he

then asks !h. no one a)*ise) him to refrain from issuing a )eath senten(e+ He uts these 2uestions su((in(tl. @Who soke

of "rotherhoo) Who soke of lo*eB 5II+i+#0/8+ Instea), the )eath senten(e !as issue), an), a((or)ing to the stor. Ri(har)

tells, the letter of re*ersal that E)!ar) sent out )i) not arri*e at the to!er in time+ Of (ourse, Ri(har) )eli"eratel. inter(ete)

the re*ersal an) sent the )eath senten(e, along !ith his mur)erers, to the to!er+ Ri(har) is too e*il to "e affe(te) ".

E)!ar):s elo2uent !or)s+

Unfortunatel. for the king, the effort of his see(h an) his guilt o*er ?laren(e:s )eath seem to !ear him out+ The results of

this stress on the alrea). si(k king are aarent in A(t II, s(ene ii, in !hi(h !e )is(o*er that E)!ar) has su))enl. )ie)+ The

mourning s(ene of Eli4a"eth, the )u(hess, an) ?laren(e:s (hil)ren is highl. ritualisti(+ The formalit. of their language an) the

s.mmetri(al stru(turing of their mournful (ries shift the fo(us of the la. a!a. from s.(hologi(al realism to!ar) a morest.li4e) an) theatri(al )ei(tion of grief+ The maniulations an) maneu*ering that go on at the en) of the s(ene )emonstrate

that the )eath of E)!ar) is to ha*e more far'rea(hing (onse2uen(es than ma. imme)iatel. "e aarent+ The imminent shift

of o!er shoul), in theor., gi*e the reins of o!er to .oung 1rin(e E)!ar), the son of Eli4a"eth an) the late ;ing E)!ar)

an) the ne>t in line for the throne+

36. -ct &&, scenes iii


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A(t II, s(ene iii is !hat (riti(s sometimes (all a !in)o! s(ene, "e(ause it "riefl. turns a!a. from the a(tions of the no"le

(hara(ters to gi*e us a glimse into the min)s of the (ommon eole+


16/27


17/27

Hastings )ismisses Stanle.:s fears an) tells the messenger to assure Stanle. that there is nothing to fear+ ?ates". arri*es at

Hastings:s house+ He has "een sent ". Ri(har) to )is(o*er Hastings:s feelings a"out Ri(har):s s(heme to rise to o!er+ e(ute), thinking that he an) his frien) Stanle. are safe in the fa*or of Ri(har) an) e(ution+ He tells Rat(liffe that the. are "eing

kille) for nothing "ut their lo.alt., an) that their killers !ill e*entuall. a. for their (rimes+ 3ra., remem"ering Margaret:s

(urse, sa.s that it has finall. )es(en)e) uon them, an) that the fate that a!aits them is their unishment for their original

(omli(it. in the orkists: mur)er of Henr. I an) his son+ Ri*ers remin)s 3ra. that Margaret also (urse) Ri(har) an) his

allies+ He ra.s for 3o) to remem"er these (urses "ut to forgi*e the one Margaret ronoun(e) against Eli4a"eth herself, an)

her t!o .oung sons, the rin(es+ The three em"ra(e an) reare for their )eaths+

!6. ummary= -ct &&&, scene iv

At Ri(har):s ?oun(il session in the To!er of Lon)on, the susi(ious Hastings asks the (oun(ilors a"out the (ause of their

meeting+ He sa.s that the meeting:s urose is suose) to "e to )is(uss the )ate on !hi(h 1rin(e E)!ar) shoul) "e

(ro!ne) king, an) er". affirms that this is in)ee) the urose of the meeting+ Ri(har) arri*es, smiling an) leasant, an)

asks the e(ution, an) tells his men that he !ill not

eat until he has "een resente) !ith Hastings:s hea)+ Left alone !ith his e>e(utioners, the stunne) Hastings slo!l. reali4es

that Stanle. !as right all along+ Ri(har) is a maniulati*e, o!er'hungr. traitor, an) Hastings has "een )angerousl.

o*er(onfi)ent+ Reali4ing that nothing (an no! sa*e Englan) from Ri(har):s raa(ious )esire for o!er, he too (ries out

)esairingl. that Margaret:s (urse has finall. stru(k home+

!7. -nalysis= -ct &&&, scenes ii


18/27

a !arning against o*er(onfi)en(e+ Hastings no! regrets his earlier "ragging a"out his enemies: e>e(ution at 1omfret,

imagining @m.self se(ure in gra(e an) fa*orB 5III+i*+/#8+ Furthermore, he reali4es that, if he ha) !ise) u to Ri(har) earlier,

he (oul) ha*e a*oi)e) his fate an) erhas e*en sa*e) Englan) from !hat Ri(har) lans to *isit uon it+ @I, too fon)

foolish, might ha*e re*ente) this,B he laments 5III+i*+#8+

Hastings also muses "efore his )eath on the @momentar. gra(e of mortal men,B an i)ea that the la. returns to again an)

again 5III+i*+/%8+ The 2ui(kness !ith !hi(h eole:s fortunes (an (hange !as a *er. oular toi( for literature of

Shakeseare:s erio), an) for goo) reason in the (ourts of Renaissan(e Englan), a erson:s !elfare=an) his or her life=

)een)e) on the !him of the ruler+ A shift in oliti(al o!er !oul) regularl. (ause the )o!nfall an) mass e>e(ution of

)o4ens of formerl. o!erful (ourtiers+ 1erhas for this reason, Renaissan(e (ourt literature e>hi"its a great fas(ination !ith

the re(ariousness of human fortunes+ The me)ie*al i)ea of the Wheel of Fortune, in !hi(h those at the to of the !heel are

ine*ita"l. "rought to the "ottom, an) *i(e *ersa, !as still *er. (urrent in Shakeseare:s )a.+ This fatalisti( *ie! of human life

(oe>iste) !ith a stri(t ?hristian min)set that insiste) that !orl)l. "elongings !oul) (ause (orrution an) (oul) not "u. glor.

in hea*en+ All in all, )esite the "urgeoning !ealth an) materialism of the Renaissan(e !orl), Renaissan(e eole !ere

often in great (onfli(t a"out the real *alue an) meaning of their mone. an) their lu>uries+

In the moments "efore his )eath, Hastings muses on this theme+ He refle(ts that the erson !ho "uil)s his hoes on material

roserit. instea) of 3o):s gra(e @li*es like a )runken sailor on a mast, D Rea). !ith e*er. no) to tum"le )o!n D Into the

fatal "o!els of the )eeB 5III+i*+//6#0#8+ This i)ea is no!here "etter illustrate) than in the re(e)ing s(ene=A(t III, s(ene iii

=in !hi(h !e ha*e a "rief last look at Ri*ers, 3ra., an) their frien) aughan "efore their e>e(ution+ Hastings earlier reCoi(es

o*er their )o!nfall, "ut their e>e(ution is as une>e(te) as his o!n+ Like Hastings, the )oome) Woo)e*ille men ro(laim

their inno(en(e+ Like Hastings, the. re(all Margaret:s (urse an) foretell )ire (onse2uen(es for Englan) un)er Ri(har):s

reign+ Like Hastings, the. re)i(t that their e>e(utioners !ill fa(e retri"ution for their )ee)s+ @ou li*e, that shall (r. !oe for

this hereafterB 5III+iii+%8, sa.s aughan to his Cailers, an) Hastings=in a similar moo)=en)s his last see(h !ith a (hilling

(oulet @?ome lea) me to the "lo(kG "ear him Ri(har) m. hea)+ D The. smile at me, !ho shortl. shall "e )ea)B 5III+i*+#0%6

#0J8+

!8. -ct &&&, scenes v


19/27

On the streets of Lon)on, a s(ri*ener 5someone !ho !rites an) (oies letters an) )o(uments for a li*ing8 sa.s that he has

Cust finishe) his last assignment, !hi(h !as to (o. the aer that !ill "e rea) alou) to all of Lon)on later that )a.+ The

aer sa.s that Hastings !as a traitor+ The s(ri*ener (on)emns the h.o(ris. of the !orl), for he, like e*er."o). else, (an

see that the (laim in the aer is a lie in*ente) ". Ri(har) to Custif. killing his oliti(al ri*al+

41. ummary= -ct &&&, scene vii

t )a., to !hi(h Ri(har) (onsents+

42. -nalysis, -ct &&&, scenes v


20/27

The "rief interlu)e !ith the s(ri*ener, in A(t III, s(ene *i, is another so'(alle) !in)o! s(ene+ Like ueen Eli4a"eth:s kinsmen

Cust "efore their )eaths, the s(ri*ener refle(ts on ho! transitor. earthl. hainess is @!ithin these fi*e hours, Hastings li*e), D

Untainte), une>amine), free, at li"ert.B 5III+*i+6/8+ He also (omments on the o"*ious falsehoo) of the manufa(ture)

a((usation against Hastings, an) thus sho!s us, as the (iti4ens )o in A(t II, s(ene iii, that the (ommon eole (an see

through Ri(har):s a(t !ell enough to "e )isguste) an) frightene) ". him+ @Who is so gross D That (annot see this ala"le

)e*i(eB asks the s(ri*ener, sho!ing that he (learl. (an er(ei*e Ri(har):s h.o(ris.+ @et !ho so "ol) "ut sa.s he sees it

notB he on)ers further, meaning that no"o). is "ra*e enough to sa. out lou) that Ri(har) is l.ing 5III+*i+#06#-8+ Like the

(iti4ens of A(t II, s(ene iii, he er(ei*es the )ire(tion that things are taking an) is afrai) of !hat !ill haen to Englan) un)er

Ri(har):s reign+

43. -ct &', scenes it ste !ill "e to !oo an) marr. .oung

Eli4a"eth, the )aughter of the former ;ing E)!ar) an) ueen Eli4a"eth+ He "elie*es that this allian(e !ith her famil. !ill

(ement his hol) on the throne+


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Rat(liffe enters su))enl. !ith the "a) ne!s that some of Ri(har):s no"lemen are fleeing to Coin Ri(hmon) in Fran(e, an)

that


22/27

The grief'!ear. Eli4a"eth asks Margaret to tea(h her ho! to (urse, an) Margaret a)*ises her to e>erien(e as mu(h

"itterness an) ain as Margaret herself has+ Margaret then )earts for Fran(e+ When Ri(har) enters !ith his no"lemen an)

the (omman)ers of his arm., the )u(hess "egins to (urse him, (on)emning him for the "loo). mur)er of his e>ten)e) famil.

an) telling him that she regrets ha*ing gi*en "irth to him+ The enrage) Ri(har) or)ers his men to strike u lou) musi( to tr.

to )ro!n out the !omen:s (urses, "ut it )oes not !ork, an) the )u(hess (urses him to )ie "loo)il.+

Although shaken ". this *er"al assault, Ri(har) re(o*ers an), seaking !ith Eli4a"eth in ri*ate, "roa(hes his roosal to

her he !ants to marr. her )aughter, the .oung Eli4a"eth+ The former 2ueen is horrifie), an) sar(asti(all. suggests to

Ri(har) that he siml. sen) her )aughter the "loo). hearts of her t!o little "rothers as a gift, to !in her lo*e+ Ri(har), using

all his gifts of ersuasion an) insisten(e, ursues Eli4a"eth, insisting that this !a. he (an make amen)s to !hat remains of

her famil. for all he has )one "efore+ He argues that the marriage is also the onl. !a. the king)om (an a*oi) (i*il !ar+

Eli4a"eth seems to "e s!a.e) ". his !or)s at last an) tells him she !ill seak !ith her )aughter a"out it+ As soon as

Eli4a"eth lea*es the stage, Ri(har) s(ornfull. (alls her a foolish an) !eak'!ille) !oman+

Ri(har):s sol)iers an) arm. (omman)ers start to "ring him reorts a"out Ri(hmon):s in*asion, an) as "a) ne!s iles u,

Ri(har) "egins to ani( for the first time+ Ri(hmon) is reorte) to "e aroa(hing Englan) !ith a fleet of shisG Ri(har):s

allies are half'hearte) an) un!illing to fight the in*a)er+ All o*er lains that this situation is all that re*ents him from Coining Ri(hmon)+


23/27

Ri(har) is as (alm as ossi"le !hen Margaret (urses him in A(t I, s(ene iii, "ut un)er the assault of his mother he is (learl.

em"arrasse), a!k!ar), an) enrage)+ When his mother )eman)s of him, @Thou toa), thou toa), !here is th. "rother

?laren(eB Ri(har) )eseratel. (alls for his musi(ians to soun) a noise of )rums an) trumets 5I+i*+#&$8+ Una"le to

ans!er the a((usations, he (an onl. )ro!n out their !or)s+


24/27

e(ution is )ue to the Custi(e of 3o), !ho, he feels, is unishing him for ha*ing aligne)

himself !ith e*il, "rings the notion of moral Custi(e into full fo(us in the la.+ This fo(us on moral Custi(e anti(iates the

)issolution of Ri(har):s unCust reign ". re)ire(ting the narrati*e to!ar) the i)ea of Cust out(omes o*erseen ". the !ill of 3o)+


25/27

IG ;ing Henr. I himselfG Ri(har):s "rother ?laren(eG Ri*ers, 3ra., an) aughanG the t!o .oung rin(es, !hom Ri(har) ha)

mur)ere) in the to!erG HastingsG La). Anne, Ri(har):s former !ifeG an), finall., e(ute .oung Stanle., for the enem. is alrea). uon them+

Ri(har) an) his for(es hea) out to !ar+

71. -nalysis= -ct ', scenes iii times+ The lea)ers, in their rese(ti*e (ams, make almost i)enti(al rearations as the. rea).

for the ne>t )a.:s "attle, "ut the )ifferen(e "et!een them (an "e seen in the !a. the. go a"out their "usiness+ Ri(har)

seaks "rus2uel. to his lor)s, an), as !e (an see, essentiall. is isolate) from all human (onta(t+ As a result of his mali(ious

nature, he kills an.one !ho "e(omes (lose to him, gra)uall. )estro.ing all his (lose human relationshis+ He is in o!er, "ut

he is alone his "rothers, nehe!s, an) e*en his o!n !ife are all )ea) at his han), his mother has (urse) an) a"an)one)

him, an) e*en the erson !ho !as on(e his (losest frien)=


26/27

self'i)entit.+ After Ri(har) reali4es that he has "e(ome something that s(ares e*en himself, the )i*i)e "et!een !ho he on(e

!as an) !ho he has "e(ome is astonishingl. (lear+ This )i*i)e threatens e*en his e>isten(e+ On(e he reali4es that he is

afrai) of himself an) that he is a mur)erer, his imme)iate 2uestion is !hether or not he !ill kill himself+ His ans!er is

(onfli(te)+ Although he a*oi)s this ossi"ilit. ". (laiming that he lo*es himself an) therefore !oul) not kill himself, he

reali4es moments later, @I rather hate m.self D For hateful )ee)s (ommitte) ". m.selfB 5+*+#7%6#&&8+ In this s(ene it is *er.

(lear that Ri(har) has mo*e) "e.on) a simle, flat *ersion of the me)ie*al (hara(ter, i(e, an) e>erien(es the )eel.

)i*i)e) emotions that (hara(teri4e real human "eings+

In a strange, haunting, an) e*en mo*ing (on(lusion, Ri(har) une>e(te)l. turns to thoughts of others, an) grie*es for his

isolation @I shall )esair+ There is no (reature lo*es me, D An) if I )ie no soul !ill it. me+ D Na., !herefore shoul) the.=

Sin(e that I m.self D Fin) in m.self no it. to m.selfB 5+*+#$&6#$J8+ With these !or)s he reali4es, angr. an) )eserate,

that he )oesn:t e*en s.mathi4e !ith himself+ E*en after he manages to ut asi)e his terror an) resumes the sem"lan(e of

his ol) arrogan(e, this sensation )oes not fa)e+ ?learl., for Ri(har), the en) is near+

72. -ct ', scenes vii


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fighting siml. to rote(t his ne(k+ Ri(har) la(ks the sense of higher urose !ith !hi(h Ri(hmon) has "een en)o!e), an)

thus he la(ks the a"ilit. to )ie no"l.+ In the en), Ri(har) is o"sesse) !ith his o!n self'reser*ation, as in)i(ate) ". his (r. of

@a horseP A horseP M. king)om for a horsePB 5+*ii+J, #78+ In this moment, Ri(har) (learl. re*eals his riorities+ He !oul)

tra)e e*er.thing for a horse on !hi(h to imro*e his (han(es of sur*i*ing the "attle rather than )ie honora"l. for his (ause+

Ri(hmon):s final see(h rimaril. ser*es a narrati*e urose, sho!ing that Ri(har), the *illain of the la., has "een

)efiniti*el. *an2uishe), although his )eath has o((urre) offstage+ Ri(hmon):s simle, Cu)gmental )e(laration that @The

"loo). )og is )ea)B in)i(ates the relief an) e>haustion that he 5an) e*er.one else8 feels after Ri(har):s long (amaign of

(ruelt. 5+*iii+-8+ Man. )ea) kings, e*en !i(ke) ones, are remem"ere) kin)l. ". their enemies after the. )ie, "ut Ri(har) is

so uni*ersall. hate) that he is soken of merel. as a @"loo). )og+B S.m"oli(all., then, Ri(har):s )eath an) Ri(hmon):s

as(ension to the throne suggest that the (onfli(ts that ha*e lague) Englan) for so long are at an en)+ @Englan) hath long

"een ma), an) s(arre) herself,B sa.s Ri(hmon), referring to the !ars among the ro.alt. 5+*iii+ -78+ Ri(hmon):s intention to

(laim the king)om:s @long usur) ro.alt.,B as Stanle. uts it, heral)s the s.m"oli( en) not Cust of the arti(ular (onfli(t !ith

Ri(har) "ut of the Wars of the Roses in general 5+*iii+&8+ Moreo*er, !ith his marriage to .oung Eli4a"eth, Ri(hmon) !ill

mel) the houses of ork an) Lan(aster in a fertile an) ea(eful union, uniting @the !hite rose an) the re)B=the s.m"ols of

the houses of ork an) Lan(aster, rese(ti*el. 5+*iii+#/8+ Ri(har):s long reign of terror has (ome to an en) as the la.

(loses !ith the romise of a marriage, an) !ith the ne! ;ing Henr.:s fer*ent ra.er for @this fair lan):s ea(eB 5+*iii+ 7/8+

The la., then, en)s tragi(all. for Ri(har) "ut hail. for Englan)+

76. $ey Facts

F>LL&L% The Tra'edy of in' Richard the Third

->HO# William Shakeseare

/P%OF?O#$ 1la.

%@#% Histor. la.

L-@>-% English

&0%-@+PL-C%?#&%@ Aroun) #$/-, Lon)on

+-%OFFP>BL&C-&O@ #$/J

O@% Shakeseare:s attitu)e to!ar) Ri(har) is one of (on)emnation an) )isgust, (om"ine) !ith a enetrating fas(ination

!ith the min) of the o!er'hungr. s.(hoath+

%&@ A&0% Aroun) #&$, though the a(tual histori(al e*ents of the la. took la(e o*er a mu(h longer erio),

aroun) #&J#6#&$%&@APL-C% arious ala(es an) lo(ales in Englan)

P#O-O@& Ri(har) III

0-O#CO@FL&C Ri(har), the o!er'hungr. .ounger "rother of the king of Englan), longs to sei4e (ontrol of the throne,

"ut he is far "a(k in the line of su((ession+ He lots an) maniulates his !a. ast the o"sta(les in his ath to o!er,

"etra.ing an) mur)ering !ith re(kless a"an)on as he ro(ee)s+

#&&@ -C&O@ Ri(har) ersua)es La). Anne, 1rin(e E)!ar):s !i)o!, to marr. himG he has his "rother ?laren(e

mur)ere)G he has the t!o .oung rin(es in line for the throne mur)ere) +

CL&0-D In A(t III, s(ene *ii,

King Richard III, Shakespeare

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