In 'Richard III', how is it that we can be so interested in Richard, and even sympathetic towards him, when he is so completely evil?
Richard III In 'Richard III', how is it that we can be so interested in Richard, and even sympathetic towards him, when he is so completely evil? 'Richard III' opens with a soliloquy by Richard, introducing himself to the audience and revealing many things about his character. One thing we learn about him,him is his sarcastic humour when he is talking about the end of the war:, 'Now is the winter of our discontent Made glorious by his son of York,' which could be the 'sun' in the sky, or Kinthis shows his ability to think in puns because he could be referring to the 'sun' in the sky, or King Edward, 'son' of York. He later says that, 'iWhy, I in this weak piping time of peace,' he has Have 'nono delight to pass away the time, Unless to see my shadow in the sun.' H ie uses this sarcasm to make a point that he actually detests peacetime because he cannot enjoy himself because of the burden of his deformity. This shows that he is honest and truthful to himself. He realizes that he is 'not shaped for sportive tricks Nor made to court an amorous looking-glass,' so acknowledging that he is not 'normal', and he thinks that women are never going to fall in love with a deformed man like himself. Although his deformity is a problem, this is the driving force behind his determination: 'And therefore, since I cannot prove a lover To entertain these fair well-spoken days,
Was Thornbury castle built as a palace or for defence?
Was Thornbury castle built as a palace or for defence? By Sara Booker Thornbury castle Since Thornbury castle started being built in 1511 it has been in the centre of a debate with historians whether it is a castle built for defence or a luxurious palace for show. When I went to Thornbury castle you can see lots of different features that would confuse you in deciding what Thornbury castle was built for. There are lots of different features showing both. This picture shows some arrow slits. As you walk around the castle you see things like arrow slits and gun loops in the walls showing they were probably built in case of an attack. Around the outer and inner gateway walls there are portcullis grooves which were never finished if it had have been the walls would have been as high again this is because there is nowhere for the gates to go. Around the castle towers there should have been crenellations which you can see on the only finished tower the crenellations which are the thing around the top are used to shoot between the gaps and hide in the higher bits. Underneath the crenellations there are machicolations which were used to pour thing though (e.g. red hot oil or stones) to hit invaders below. The finished tower showing the machicolations Around some of the outside walls shows ditches which may have been the start of a moat or other
Richard III. Write a letter to an actor who has been selected to play the part of Richard explaining to him what you would expect of him in terms of: His interaction with other characters. His interpretation and delivery of language
Richard III You are a director. Write a letter to an actor who has been selected to play the part of Richard explaining to him what you would expect of him in terms of: * His interaction with other characters. * His interpretation and delivery of language within the play. * His physical representation of Richard These issues will be highlighted from the key scenes which are Act 1 Scene I (Introductory scene) Act 5 Scene III (eve of battle scene) These will be accompanied by points from other scenes, namely Act 3 Scene VII and Act 4 Scenes II & III No. 10 Road Lane Placeville Countyshire AB12 3CD Dear Mr Akter, I am writing to congratulate you upon being chosen to play the part of Richard in our forthcoming production of Richard III. This letter is a guide for you for how I would like the part of Richard to be acted. This shall be primarily based upon two key scenes in the play, which are Act 1 Scene I (opening scene) and Act 5 Scene VII (eve of battle scene). This guide covers 3 main aspects of playing the part of Richard. These are: Your interaction with other characters, your interpretation and delivery of speech within the play and your physical representation of Richard. The reason why these two scenes have been concentrated on is because they occur at key moments within the play and at opposite ends as well. Not only do they appear at opposite ends of the
Examine the character of Richard III as Shakespeare presents him to us, and the ways in which the play may reflect a distinctively Tudor view of history.
Examine the character of Richard III as Shakespeare presents him to us, and the ways in which the play may reflect a distinctively Tudor view of history. Shakespeare presents Richard to us in a very negative way. Richard is portrayed as an evil person who is attracted to the power that the throne could bring him and would take whatever risk is necessary. Driven by his need for power he manipulates and murders his way to the throne. Richard shows himself as a manipulator right from the start of the play. He tricks Clarence and makes him think that he has nothing to do with his arrest. "But what's the matter Clarence? May I know?" Clarence is the first person that Richard manipulates in a long line of victims. Richard also successfully manipulates Anne. He manages to get her to marry him only a few days after he has killed her husband. He manipulates Anne with convincing arguments and by flattering her. "Divine perfection of a woman....fairer than tongue can name thee." This is Richards's persuasive skills at his best, now he has a stronger claim to the throne. Richard knew that the king was unwell and by springing the news of Clarence's death upon him he died. This was typical of Richard, observing his enemies weaknesses and capitalising. "Who knows not the gentle Duke is dead?" Richard manipulates the arrival of Prince Edward so that he is seen as the only loyal uncle to
Our intial impression of a character usually influences the way we judge that character throughout the play. Discuss the way Shaw presents Richard Dudgeon to the audience in Act I. Have your impressions of him changed by the end of the play?
Our intial impression of a character usually influences the way we judge that character throughout the play. Discuss the way Shaw presents Richard Dudgeon to the audience in Act I. Have your impressions of him changed by the end of the play? What conclusions do you think Shaw wants us to draw about him? When we are first introduced to Richard Dudgeon, at the reading of his late father Timothy's will in his childhood home, we have already learned of his character from the opinions of three other characters: firstly, his mother, then from Anthony Anderson, the minister, and finally, from Anderson's wife Judith. None of these accounts are in Richard's favour, although Anthony Anderson is perhaps the least against Richard of them all. Richard's mother considers Richard to be the lowest of the low and a disgrace to his society; she believes that there is nothing admirable about him at all. However, one could argue that she is not much of an admirable woman herself, embittered by having been forced to marry Timothy Dudgeon and not Timothy's late brother Peter, for whom she really had feelings. We learn that Timothy was the good and righteous brother, whereas Peter was not and was therefore disgraced and cast into shame by his relatives and peers. Richard, however, shows a profound liking and support of Peter, and this means that he too is looked upon in disgust, particularly by his
How does Shakespeare shape the audience's perception of Richard in Act One scene one and two of the play?
How does Shakespeare shape the audience's perception of Richard in Act One scene one and two of the play? In Shakespeare's plays, some characters are portrayed differently from their historical figures. Shakespeare does this to thrill and entertain the audience to provide a good show. He uses language and shapes facts to influence the audience's perceptions of characters in his plays. In Richard III Shakespeare has used a mix of techniques and devices through language to portray a fictitious figure of King Richard III. He modifies history, time, and facts to create a fantastic, intriguing story for a play. Shakespeare makes Richard come across as a manipulator and villain in a thrilling situation. Act One scene one opens with a long soliloquy by Richard, son of York. Through his speech, Shakespeare sets the scene to the audience. During a soliloquy Richard speaks openly to the audience about emotions thoughts and opinions and is only heard by the audience, with no other characters on stage. Richard opens with the two lines: 'Now is the winter of our discontent Made glorious summer by this son of York' He is making a pun, suggesting that as well as the weather and season image, he is referring to his brother King Edward IV son of York. It is an example of one of Shakespeare's play on words, and is also a metaphor. We, as the audience, receive details during Richard's
What were the reasons behind Harold's visit to Normandy and How was the Visit Significant?
What were the reasons behind Harold's visit to Normandy and How was the Visit Significant? Approaching the year 1064 Harold Godwinson had established himself with great power, authority and had great potential to excel as earl of Wessex and possibly achieve what no Godwin had done in history, the Crown and title of King of England. As Walker quotes "Harold was at the height of his power and influence. A successful military commander and the leading noble in England, and with the demise of Earl Aelfgan he had no real rivals... However an episode occurred about this time which was ultimately to land to his downfall." To great controversy between historians Harold went on a voyage and found himself ending up in Normandy. How and why is even today a huge debate and is explained in many forms by Poitier's and Walker etc. The debate is ultimately down to the reason of there not being any Anglo-Saxon recording of this event and therefore we as historians are left to retrieve as much realistic evidence from the Norman sources, as biased as they may seem. Was Harold merely entertaining himself with a little recreational Fishing off the coast of England and just happened to end up in William's quarters... Even more convincing is the story which many Norman's claim to be true, which assumed Harold's main objective was to deliver an oath to William to promise Edward's throne to him. Or
How does Shakespeare represent female characters in Richard the third?
How does Shakespeare represent female characters in Richard the third? In Richard the third, there are many different female characters that are put in contrast to men. The audience is aware of their presence and effect on the men in the play. In this essay the four main female characters will have a character analysis and viewing scenes when women overcome men or either the men make them look vulnerable. The traditional view of men was that they were Dominant, strong, brave, owner and Lord of all that he possessed. The traditional view of women was the object of possession, weak, obedient and homely. They were taught to stay at home, cook for the husband and bring up the children, also to generally do everything in her power to look beautiful for her husband. Men were expected to go out and work, to bring in money to bring up his family, to treat his wife as he saw fit and to be the master of the house. Shakespeare's time is actually different to Richard the thirds time, however the view on women is still the same. However, ironically some of the strongest monarchs that England has seen have been women. This shows that although times change, women can still prove to be just as strong as the men. Such as, Bodica who lead her Viking troops into war and defeated the Romans many times. Elizabeth the first was also a very strong monarch in Shakespeare's time. That time was a
Throughout this play by William Shakespeare, Richard III has been portrayed to have several faades. He has a charming, witty, intelligent, manipulative, confident and charismatic personality
Explore Shakespeare's presentation of Richard III in his play Richard III By Dominique Baptiste Throughout this play by William Shakespeare, Richard III has been portrayed to have several façades. He has a charming, witty, intelligent, manipulative, confident and charismatic personality. Shakespeare uses his own wit to concuss this character. He is driven by his own excessive motivation for power which he shows to us with his ambition to take control of the throne. Shakespeare presents Richard as the stereo typical anti hero, which is common in his plays. However, Richards's behaviour may be a product of Tudor propaganda. We, as the audience are fooled and find it hard to distinguish who or what Richard really is. His true personality never surfaces, therefore as the audience we are unsure if you like or dislike Richard even if we hold nothing but contempt for him. The first face of Richard is his low self-esteem, at the beginning of the play: "Dogs back at me as I halt by them" This makes us feel sad for him as we believe he is depressed by his physical appearance, as he believe that not even dogs can bear his "hideous" looks. He refers to himself as deformed, as he was born premature: "Deformed, unfinished, sent before my time" Richard believes he is an outcast from society and also believes that other people can do things that he cannot:
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.
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. In Shakespeare's King Richard III we are presented with the controversial character of Richard. The audience bears witness to the behaviour and techniques he uses in order to reach and eventually seize the throne. A variety of contrasting characteristics make up Richards character. He is frequently portrayed as a manipulator. This distinguishing feature of Richards becomes apparent from the beginning of the play, as early as in Act 1 Scene 1, as Richard manipulates his brother Clarence in order to cause conflict with the Woodville's. 'Tis not the king that sends you to the tower. My lady Grey, his wife, Clarence, 'tis she that tempts him to this harsh extremity' We see from this that Richard is shifting any blame on to those who he dislikes, in this case, the Woodville's, regardless of whether they are to blame or not. All the while he plays the loving brother type to Clarence 'Well, your imprisonment shall not be long. I will deliver you or else lie for you. Meantime, have patience.' However these loyal, loving words from brother to brother simply mask Richards's attempt to divert any future blame away from himself, as his intentions are for Clarence to remain imprisoned and eventually have him murdered.