One example of the paranormal in Act V is when Richard refers to how the ghosts make him feel responsible: “O coward conscience, how dost thou afflict me” but he is able to see it differently. Also this recalls Margaret’s curse: “the worm of conscience still begnaw thy soul,” which meant that the centre of his conscience would incessantly affect his soul forever. This shows that Richard is feeling guilty, he fears the ghostly vengeance of all the people he had killed and that the curses made by the ghosts will affect him when he goes to war. Richard is able to calm himself down: “What do I fear?” this proves that he has no feeling for anyone, no conscience and is going to prove that he is a villain despite his earlier attack of remorse.
Here, Shakespeare’s use of supernatural is effectual because it reminds us of the members of family killed by Richard to become king and is more dramatic. It is more dramatic because it shows Richard deserves to die as his punishment and people will be punished if they commit vile things. This makes the scene look more theatrical and stimulating, this enables the audience to see what is going on inside Richard’s head and whether we can see that he does or doesn’t really have a conscience.
Clarence’s dream was how he saw that he would be killed: “Methought that Gloucester stumbled, and in falling, struck me” and how Richard, his own brother, was responsible for his death. Stanley’s dream was about the boar, the symbol for Richard: “He dreamt the boar had razed off his helm” and the imagery of Richard’s animal is a significant reference to the Elizabethan audience who interpreted animal imagery with interest. Richard would cut off; or remove anyone who got in the way of the throne and how Stanley fears his death. This enables us to see the personality of Richard and how he would use both sides of the family to get where he wanted to, how he used people and then he would eliminate them.
Anne curses Richard because for what he did to her husband (Prince Edward and her father in law): “black knight o’ershade thy day, and death thy life.” Anne’s imagery of the black knight suggests that when the day becomes night, Richard will pay for his deeds in battle. Anne’s curse comes true: “the sun will not be seen today! The sky doth frown and lour upon our army.” This shows that this is the end for Richard’s reign and the wheel is turning a full circle, meaning that there is going to be a new king. Another example of Shakespeare’s use of the supernatural is when Buckingham remembers Margaret’s curse on All-Souls Day: “This is All-souls day, fellow, is it not?” This example of the supernatural is used to curse people for what they did to them and to their families. These curses were used to punish the person for what they did so they would be sent to hell.
Margaret warns Buckingham to be very careful of Richard: “O Buckingham, and take heed of yonder dog!” and now Buckingham regrets it because he didn’t listen to her. Curses were also used to get back revenge on people who committed wickedness to their family. A curse was an act of punishment and has the same effect as the ghosts saying it as well: “Despair and die.” Margaret curses everyone in the group, “that none of you may live your natural age,” “now Margaret’s curse is fall’n upon our heads” and “O Margaret, Margaret, now thy heavy curse.” Meaning that Buckingham recognises his must pay for his part in the iniquity Richard has committed. These curses were used to warn them that they were in great danger in the near future. It was used to cause dramatic scenes to make the audiences believe it was really happening to Buckingham. This reinforces the idea about the paranormal seeming real. The curse makes it feel more theatrical and that the curse will affect Buckingham and it will come true.
Shakespeare’s use of supernatural may seem surprising in a play like Richard III, because the play contains historical events. The historical events tell us a story about a real person and Shakespeare tries to let the audience to make up their own decision, although he clearly does have a strong influence. For example, Richard is a hero because the audience admires his power and cunning, but mostly we see Richard is a villain because he generates the malevolence and violence in the play, being efficient, imaginative, persuasive, intelligent and confident and in control. The play tells the audience about the events that took place, for example, the ghosts murdered cursing Richard just before he goes to war with Richmond. This allows the audience to make up their own mind if the supernatural affected Richard’s conscience and his guilt. I feel that the use of paranormal is effective because it allows the audience to get into the character’s minds and see what they are thinking. This enables the audience to look at the characters life and personality and how it has changed. For example, Richard’s personality changes from hostile and vicious to a self-pitying person who realises that: “There is no creature loves me!”
