Richard's Character in King Richard III Essay

ASSIGNMENT 1: King Richard III

Richard has never been deemed good enough to fit the kings crown. Since the first scene, audience can anticipated the evil and villainous act of Richard. He go against the star by using deceive and manipulation. All of this is to make sure he gain kingship and stay as a king. And therefore since I cannot prove a lover I am determined to prove a villain, And hate the idle pleasures of these days. These lines are said in the first monologue and also the introduction of the play, he declared that he wanted to be the villain.

Richards outward deformity is the first obstacle that he has to overcome in order to be the king. In this era, Kings are god-chosen, so deformity is not suitable for kings. Richard lamented on this by accusing the god for his deformity. Thus this is his first announcement that he wanted to be the king in order to revenge against the god.

Richard then started to kill all the ones that will threaten his part. He existed as the mastermind of the murders, but never murders the victim himself. Thus most of his victim thought him to be a saint; even on their death bed they trusted Richard. , O do not slander him, for he is kind. . . . It cannot be, for he bewept my fortune, / And hugged me in his arms

Richard has never trusted anyone in his life, even Lord Buckingham. He killed Buckingham when Buckingham showed a little bit of remorse. This happened when Richard wanted to kill the princes.

For him, his horse is the most precious and loyal companion that he ever needed. So when his horse died, he becomes distress. He even wanted to trade his horse for a kingdom. This is the start of Richards downfall.

When he was visited by the ghosts, he started to have self doubt and questioned his actions. Richard wakes up, frightened that he is sweating. He feared himself because he has never done anything that good or lovable, instead he only kills. He doubted whether he will be safe by himself, he feared himself. But when he declared that he is the villain, he lets go of his conscience, his humanity thus the battle the following morning is his final act. But even though he felt the remorse, but as he is a very dedicated villain, he wanted to die as a villain. Alack, I love myself. Wherefore? For any good, That I myself have done unto myself? O no, alas, I rather hate myself, For hateful deeds committed by myself. I am a villain.

Richard is one of the most prominent characters in literature that are renounced evil since the start of the play. Some characters turn bad because of hardship or victimize, but Richard is evil because of his choice. Shakespeare played with this dimension that the readers or audiences of the play cannot but respects Richards evilness. There is no certain motivation behind his act, as every time he monologues with the audience, he is sincere but when there are other characters onstage, he lied, swindle charm and manipulate the other characters. Truly Richard is an actor onstage, an actor in front of the other characters.