Empowering Women in Richard the Third

                The women all had their own individual statuses which were determined not only by the people they were associated with, but also their own individual accomplishments. Lady Anne proved to be as smart and quick-witted as Richard and she won a place in many people hearts, whereas Margaret through her constant cursing and unhappiness gave the impression that Margaret was just an annoying character, and this detached her from the reader. The status of each individual gave certain women more power than others. For example, women who were thought of as mean and unworthy of being in the royal family got less power than those who people felt were worthy.

        The women in Richard III have the incredible ability to predict the future. During the 16th century, curses were taken seriously and you would only place curses on those people which you truly disliked. The main characters in Richard III curse the main character, Richard, so many times that many of them are bound to come true. This means that one should be afraid of the curses that may be put on them and therefore, should be afraid of the people capable of placing these wicked curses upon them. This gives women the power of the curse. Margaret, the former Queen and widow of King Henry VI, played a major role in foreshadowing and cursing those who were part of the royal family. Most, if not all, of Margaret’s curses came true and some characters looked back upon this when their untimely deaths were about to happen.

Lord Grey:    “Now Margaret's curse is fall'n upon our heads,  

When she exclaimed on Hastings, you, and I,  

                         For standing by when Richard stabbed her son.”

                        “Then cursed she Richard, then cursed she Buckingham.

                         Then cursed she Hastings. O, remember, God,

 Lord Rivers: To hear her prayer for them, as now for us!

                        And for my sister and her princely sons,

                        Be satisfied, dear God, with our true blood,

                       Which, as thou know'st, unjustly must be spilt.”

            [Act III, scene iii, lines 15-23]

Here, Lord Grey and Lord Rivers think back upon that time when Margaret had cursed them and wished death upon them. The women in Richard III had the power of their curses and could therefore get what they wanted through their curses. Near the end of the play the women all curse Richard and wish for his death, and we see that it all becomes true.

        Richard III showcases the subtle power that women had. Anybody looking at the royal family from outside would not see that women help a great deal of power in their words and in their status, but after a deeper and more in-depth look, we see that this is truly the case. Though men are physically more powerful and are much more aggressive to use their power, women can still be powerful. Shakespeare gives women the power of their words to help them gain power, but for an easier route, they are also able to be empowered through their status and relationships.