What impressions of Richard’s character does the audience obtain in Act I of Richard III? Does he have any positive qualities to enable him to win our interest, admiration or sympathy?
What impressions of Richard's character does the audience obtain in Act I of Richard III? Does he have any positive qualities to enable him to win our interest, admiration or sympathy? There are many discrepancies between the real Richard III the play was based on ? and the fictitious character created by Shakespeare. These discrepancies were created for several reasons: His deformity was played up in order to invoke disgust and to portray his lack of morals and evil spirit in a physical form, also Shakespeare had to make Richard look bad to please the Queen Elizabeth I as she was from an opposing family to Richard's. Also the history sources, which Shakespeare relied on to provide a basis of a character, were doctored in order to make the present monarchy look good. Another, perhaps more prominent reason for the particular character traits Shakespeare took was that he wanted to create an interesting central character which would interest the audience into watching the whole of the play. His choice of characteristics for Richard would also invoke a certain level of sympathy from a modern day audience due to his involuntary exclusion from society which caused him to be angry and vengeful. In truth he was fair and incorruptible he increased the freedom of the common people. In contrast the play portrayed a ruthless, devious, merciless child-killer who was desperate for power, a
Richard III by William Shakespeare - 'How much sympathy do you have for the executed Hastings?'
Richard III by William Shakespeare 'How much sympathy do you have for the executed Hastings?' This essay is to assess how much sympathy the naïve and harmless Hastings deserves after being fooled by the cunning Richard III and falling into his trap of trusting him. In Act I Scene I, Richard plays the loving, faithful and devoted brother when Clarence arrives at the tower, and sympathises greatly with Hastings. He pretends to be worried by the news of Edward's poor health, suggesting not simply his family loyalty, but also his concern for the nation. In his conversations with both Clarence and Hastings, Richard slanders Queen Elizabeth and her relatives, blaming them for all of the ills that have befallen both Clarence and Hastings, claiming that is was she that convinced the king to have them sent to the tower in the first place. Throughout the conversation with Hastings, Richard flatters his victim, telling him what he wants to hear and as Hastings does not like Queen Elizabeth due to previous events, he is taken in by what Richard has been telling him. 'More pity that eagles should be mew'd While kites and buzzards prey at liberty' (1.1.line132-3). In this quotation, Hastings is using a metaphor describing his opinion on the matter of being sent to the tower by claiming that the eagles are he and Clarence who are trapped, whilst the kites and buzzards are the followers
"Richard III has been called Shakespeare's greatest villain. Do you agree? Analyse two scenes from the play. Is it possible for the audience to have any sympathy for him?"
"Richard III has been called Shakespeare's greatest villain. Do you agree? Analyse two scenes from the play. Is it possible for the audience to have any sympathy for him?" King Richard the Third is a history play and was first performed in 1597. Richard, Duke of Gloucester, is the central protagonist and the play charts his rise to power. In this essay I aim to show not only how evil Richard is but also to reveal those aspects of his character which allow the spectator to sympathise with him. After a long civil war between the royal family of York and the royal family of Lancaster, England enjoys a period of peace under King Edward IV and the victorious Yorks. But Edward's younger brother, Richard, resents Edward's power and the happiness of those around him. Malicious, power-hungry, and bitter about his physical deformity, Richard begins to aspire secretly to the throne-and decides to kill anyone he has to in order to become king. Using his intelligence and his skills of deception and political manipulation, Richard begins his campaign for the throne. He manipulates a noblewoman, Lady Anne, into marrying him-even though she knows that he murdered her first husband. He has his own older brother, Clarence, executed, and shifts the burden of guilt onto his sick older brother King Edward in order to accelerate Edward's illness and death. After King Edward dies, Richard
On What Basis were the various claims to the throne made in 1066?
On What Basis were the various claims to the throne made in 1066? When Edward the Confessor was crowned in 1042 he was claimed to have become celibate. From that day on there was constant talk, and at some times feuds, over who would step in to replace the man that was the King of England. Even at such an early stage in Edward's reign there was already bids and claims coming from all directions to succeed him. In the race to become King there were on a minor scale four claims to the throne. However the two major claimants were that of William the Duke of Normandy and the prestige Harold Godwinson. The claims to the throne had been narrowed down to five by historians, however at the time just about anyone with a piece of land was placing their bid on ruling the country. The other four whom would have believed had an almost given right to become king were: Harold Hardraader the half brother to Olaf (King of Norway), Edward Atheling son of Edmund Ironside (King of England 1016), Swein Estherithson the closest family descendant of the respected and renowned Cnut (King of England 1016-1035) and last and more than likely most doubtful Tostig the somewhat more popular of the Godwins' family in Edwards eyes certainly. William the Conqueror a young, wise and experienced Duke solely believed that on the day Edward died he would step in and gain full control of England. This was a
King Richard the Third
EXAMINE THE CHARACTER OF RICHARD THE THIRD AS SHAKESPEARE PRESENTS HIM TO US, AND THE WAYS IN WHICH THE PLAY MAY REFLECT A DISTINCTIVELY TUDOR VIEW OF HISTORY Elliot Storey Throughout the play 'Richard III', the various facets of the main character Richard emerge and are displayed to the reader in a number of ways. Fixated on his goal of becoming King, Richard's behaviour and remarks seem to centre on this obsession. This becomes evident to the reader from the opening soliloquy, in which Richard uses a well-used technique of his, pathos, to try and generate pity from the reader/audience. Richard uses this technique on a number of occasions, using his deformities as a way to gain the upper hand against his enemies. For example, in the very opening soliloquy, he uses his deformities as an excuse for his evil, 'And therefore, since I cannot prove a lover To entertain these well-spoken days, Then I am determined to prove a villain' 1 Richard again uses his deformities as ammunition in an argument against the Woodvilles, the royal family, whilst also exhibiting to the reader his acting skills, pretending with mock horror that he is disgusted at Elizabeth and the Woodvilles for implying that Richard hates her and her family, 'Because I cannot flatter and look fair, Smile in men's faces, smooth, deceive and cog... I must be held a rancorous enemy.' 2 Richard's frequent
Discuss how the climatic scenes from Edward Scissorhands and Sleepy Hollow make use of similar cinematography in order to communicate the gothic nature of the narrative
Discuss how the climatic scenes from Edward Scissorhands and Sleepy Hollow make use of similar cinematography in order to communicate the gothic nature of the narrative Both films, Edward Scissorhands (1990) and Sleepy Hollow (1999) are directed by Tim Burton. They are both of the Gothic fantasy genre so will use very similar techniques for the films, e.g. lighting, colour, camera angles etc. Sleepy Hollow is a film about a town which is haunted by the headless horseman. Ichabod Crane is sent from New York to investigate the goings on. Edward Scissorhands is about an unfinished scientist's creature with scissors for hands. The scientist who created died before he was finished leaving the creature (Edward) in the isolated house on the top of a hill overlooking the town of suburbia. Edward is found and brought down to live with them. Johnny Depp features in both of these films as the main characters, Ichabod and Edward. Johnny Depp has featured in other films for Tim Burton like the 2005 re-make of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Tim Burton uses montage editing to create panic, drama and terror. In Sleepy Hollow the film cuts from Katrina and the Stepmother in the windmill, to the headless horseman who is racing toward the windmill, and then to Ichabod who is similarly racing towards the windmill in order to save Katrina. The images are brief, this helps speed up the
Analyse and comment upon, the extent to which Richard III is a successful politician.
Analyse and comment upon, the extent to which Richard III is a successful politician. (With close reference to the 1996 film adaptation starring Ian McKellan, directed by Richard Loncraine) Shakespeare's Richard III is set in England after the War of the Roses. Richard, the megalomanic eponymous character, is desperate for the throne of England. He tells us that he seeks the crown to compensate for his deformity (he was a hunchback from birth). Richard has his own brother killed and later has former allies and those who still stood in his way killed also. When Richard eventually gains the throne he finds his conscience and begins to feel insecure, he has the two Princes he has locked away killed. Nobles are horrified by his actions and establish a rebel force lead by Richmond. During the Battle of Bosworth Field Richard is defeated and killed in hand to hand combat with Richmond, who then takes the throne and becomes King of England. The word 'political' can have more than one meaning. The Oxford English Dictionary has a few definitions of political and politician: . Of, relating to, or dealing with the structure or affairs of government, politics, or the state. 2. Relating to, involving, or characteristic of politics or politicians: 3. Interested or active in politics. 4. Having or influenced by partisan interests: The court should never become a political
Why were the crises of 1051 and 1052 significant?
History Essay Aaron Culhane Why were the crises of 1051 and 1052 significant? It is without doubt that the crises of 1051-52 played a significant role in Britain's history. The crises not only led to the contradicting and confusing saga over the successor to Edward's throne but also to the ongoing powerful reign of the Godwin Family in the country's history for a generation. There were four main factors in which to argue whether the crises were in fact significant. Theses were the constant feuds with Edward and Godwin which both humour and confuse historians even today, the opinion that the King was really only king in name and did not have any real authority over the country, the sudden explosion of Godwins' into the key positions in England and of course the matter of who was entitled to King Edward's throne. The crises of 1051 and 1052 can be probably put down to two main characters, whom held very important positions in how the country was run. King Edward and Godwin had an ongoing feud since the day they first came into contact with each other. Ever since, they were constantly snapping at each other's heels and basically trying to win minuscule battles over the other one. The crises were very significant in that they inevitably brought the relentless vendetta to a head. The key factor in this argument was the death of Edward's brother Alfred in 1036. Alfred, whilst
'Is Richard III a 'bloody tyrant and a homicide' or 'a man of great and diverse gifts''.
Mrs Godly - English Set 1 James Taylor 11MA October 2002 'Is Richard a 'bloody tyrant and a homicide' or 'a man of great and diverse gifts'' 'Richard III' has fascinated generations of readers; they have found themselves seduced by his brilliance with words and his persuasive emotional manipulations even though most are repelled by his evil. Characters in the play realise his evil but are still caught out with his crafty word play and dissembling nature. Written in 1593 as a sequel to 'Henry VI parts one, two and three, which focused on the wars of the roses. 'Richard III' was used as propaganda material for the Tudors. The play damns the previous reigns of the York and Lancaster houses, the Tudors used it to promote how much better England was under their rule. Shakespeare used the chronicles of Edward Hall and Raphael Holinshed as sources of historical material for 'Richard III'; although these historical sources were adapted from Sir Thomas More's 'History of Richard III'. However, More's unfinished work deals with the rise of Richard and so Shakespeare used Halls and Holinshed's works for Richard's decline. 'Richard III' tells the story of how the intelligently evil Richard Duke of Gloucester schemes his way to the throne of England. The play starts as the civil wars end, however, the Duke of Gloucester finds himself 'discontented' in peacetime, so he starts to plot
Richard III's Character in the Play and History
Using Act 1 Scene 2 as a Starting Point, Discuss The Character of Richard III as Shakespeare Presents Him, and How the Play May Reflect a Tudor View of History. In Shakespeare's 'King Richard III,' Richard is portrayed as an evil and manipulative man. This however may not have been his true self as the incidents were written around one hundred and ten years later. In this essay I shall be analysing Richard's character and how that may differ from how he was in real life. In Act 1 Scene 2 the corpse of Henry VI, having been defeated at the battle of Tewkesbury, is being carried in the funeral procession and Anne, his daughter in-law, is mourning his death. Richard enters and we immediately get an impression of him. He orders the procession to be stopped in line 33, 'Stay, you that bear the corpse, and set it down.' It is unorthodox to stop a funeral and he also is very disrespectful and he shows how ill mannered and rude he can be. Anne then reflects a similar opinion as she tells the audience her impression of Richard, "What black magician conjures up this fiend." She describes him as though he is evil, this links to the end of the play in which Richard represents evil, as opposed to Richmond representing good, in the final battle at Bosworth. Richard then continues his trail of insolence by ignoring Anne's comment and threatening