Richard III

Description

Richard III is one of William Shakespeare’s most complex historical plays, one that has not lost any of its appeal during the almost 250 years since it was written and is still among the most frequently staged Shakespeare plays.

The play begins with Richard telling about how his brother, Edward occupied the throne of England. Richard is driven by the ambition to become king – he first plots to have Clarence, another elder brother of his, sent to the Tower of London, then he seduces Lady Anne, Edward’s widow while the funeral procession is on its way to St. Paul’s Cathedral. Richard continues plotting, which creates a very tense atmosphere at the court. After complex plots and many murders, Richard eventually becomes king, with Lady Anne as Queen by his side, but he is haunted by his crimes and becomes paranoid. He is soon faced with ample rebellions that culminate in the Battle of Bosworth Field. On the evening before the battle, Richard is paid a visit by the ghosts of his victims who curse him, wishing victory and glory to his opponent, Richmond. During the battle, Richard is abandoned by his men, he also loses his horse and is then killed on the battle field by Richmond. The last scene shows how Richmond occupies Richard’s throne as Henry VII.

Richard III is a play of unique richness even in the extraordinary Shakespearean oeuvre. He is an anti-hero, hunch-backed, sickly and physically weak, evil, corrupt, amoral and driven by blind ambition. He succeeds in grabbing the throne, but his downfall is also inevitable because the greed and lust that helps him ascend will also bring about his tragedy. Shakespeare uses the historical theme not only to present a superb dramatization of a period in history, but also to criticize the contemporary social and political order in a way that makes Richard III a play that is extremely valid in our days, too.
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