“ And therefore, since I cannot prove a lover to entertain these fair well spoken days, I am determined to prove a villain.” (Act 1 scene 1.Line 28-30)
This is the first clear indication that Shakespeare supplies us with and this helps us to see that in reality, Richard’s appearance fuels his evil qualities.
Through Richard, Shakespeare employs another area in appearance and reality that plays a huge part in the play. This relates to his treatment of women. Richard is not “made to court an amorous looking-glass” yet he is willing to attempt to “woo” Anne. This is a measure of how useful Richard exercises appearance and reality to get whatever he wants. His physical appearance is anything but attractive so instead he uses his tongue as a weapon of attraction.
“Sweet saint, for charity, be not so curst”. (Act 1 scene 2.Line 49)
Richard applies soft language to try and obtain the hand of Anne, something that Shakespeare makes sure that the audience, do not associate with his personality. In this case appearance and reality reveals a caring and gentle side of Richard. This side that Richard portrays plays a major part in him winning over Anne. Of course, without knowing it Richard reveals to her what he really is.
“No beast so fierce but knows some touch of pity.”
“But I know none, and therefore am no beast.” (Act 1 scene 2.Line 71-73)
This is ironic as Richard is a figurative beast that displays no pity when it comes to getting what he wants and Anne fails to see beyond this falsified gentle side of Richard. It may appear that Richard is respectful towards females but this is only the case when he wants something from them. In reality he doesn’t respect them and this is illustrated through the manner in which he talks to Queen Margaret.
“Foul wrinkled witch, what mak’st thou in my sight?”
“Thou hateful withered hag.” (Act 1 scene 3.Line 163)
In truth, Richard has no respect for women. We see his true feelings revealed whilst speaking to Margaret, as he requires nothing from her and will likely act himself around her. We see the contrast in his treatment of women with Anne and Margaret and this is where appearance and reality is perfectly displayed. Overall, Richard does not take women seriously as his wooing of Anne proved.
“I’ll have her, but I will not keep her long.” (Act 1 scene 2.Line 229)
Through appearance and reality Shakespeare reveals that Richard uses women to achieve what he wants and when he requires nothing from them he treats them with disrespect. This is perfectly illustrated through Richard’s treatment of Anne and Queen Margaret.
A vital area into where the audience gains insight into future events regarding Richard, is through what is said in public to what is said in private. Throughout the play whatever is said in public does not always expose the truth. It is what is said in private that reflects true feelings and future plots which is why it is so important. We observe this almost immediately in the play, regarding what Richard says to his brother Clarence in person as to what is said to the audience.
“Your imprisonment shouldn’t be long. I will deliver you, or else lie for you.” (Act 1 scene 1.Line 115)
When nobody is in Richard’s presence he reveals his true intentions towards Richard.
“ Go tread the path that thou shalt ne’er return. Simple plain Clarence, I do love thee so that I will shortly send thy soul to heaven.” (Act 1 scene 1.Line 117-119.)
In this instance Richard reveals future plots against his brother, through what is said in private. His acting convinces Clarence that he will be saved but in reality he will be murdered by him. This is a perfect example of how Richard cleverly utilizes appearance and reality to regularly transform his character when needed. It is difficult to make a definition of Richard because he changes his character so many times. From the beginning of the play the audience find it hard to make an overall assumption of Richard because he continually contradicts what he says.
“Our stern alarums changed to merry meetings, our dreadful marches to delightful measures.” (Act 1 scene1. Line 7)
Richard here talks of a forthcoming golden era full of glory and hope. Whilst speaking in public, Richard uses this opportunity to defend him from being accused in future events. By praising the running of the country nobody would suspect him of becoming a family murderer. Again, in private Richard reveals his true feelings and again reveals to the audience future plots.
“I am determined to prove a villain and hate the idle pleasures of these days. Plots I have laid, inductions dangerous.” (Act 1 scene 1.Lines 30 +32)
When speaking concealed away from the public, Richard provides insight into future events. Although it may appear that the war is over the royal family is about to confront another battle in the eyes of Richard. It is through what is said in private that Richard sheds light on future plots and events and to an extent he draws a relationship with the audience because of this.
The final area in which I will explore appearance and reality will be through the manipulation of religion. Richard of Gloucester is not the only character in the play to use appearance and reality as his two “partners in crime” prove. Catesby and Buckingham use religion as a weapon of disguising for Richards true personality and intentions.
“ He is within, with two right reverend fathers, divinely bent to meditation ….. To draw him from his holy exercise.” (Act 3 scene 7.Line 60 + 61)
Buckingham endeavors to make Richard appear holy and innocent by portraying him as a devout, holy and religious man. By this point in the play we know that Richard’s life is not based on serving god but rather serving his own desires. His allies continue to do their utmost to mask his evil traits in front of the politicians.
“This prince is not an Edward. He is not lulling on a lewd love-bed, but on his knees at meditation.”(Act 3 scene 7.Line 70-71)
Again, religion is manipulated to give a false identification of Richard. Their aim is to get Richard to become king and attain ruler ship thinking that they may get something in return. Buckingham’s language reveals that he; Catesby and Richard are play acting.
“Two props of virtue for a Christian prince ….. and see a book of prayer in his hand.” (Act 3 scene 7.Line 95+96)
Buckingham makes it apparent that this is a play within a play and uses the church and the word of god as a prop to make Richard look convincing on stage. Richard also does his part in covering up his true personality.
“I do beseech your grace to pardon me, who, earnest in the service of my god.” (Line 104-105)
Richard once again stresses how devoted he is to god when really he is only devoted to getting himself raised to a godly figure in the form of king. Shakespeare reveals yet another plane to Richard’s ever- changing character through the manipulation of religion as we not only see a deceitful interpretator, a cold-blooded murderer but also a manipulative man. He has no regard for family, women or even god and this manifests the extent that he is willing to go to get what he wants. Shakespeare provides us with another peek into future events through the manipulation of Richard.
“Come, let us to our holy work again.”(Act 3 scene 7.Line 245)
This “holy” work will in fact not be holy but will rather entail unholy and irreligious dealings. The work will contain further plotting and this braces the audience for further manipulation. This device measures the extent to which Richard will go to change his character. It also reveals that Richard isn’t the only character that utilizes appearance and reality in the play and this reflects the amount of manipulation contained within the play.
Appearance and reality is a device that Shakespeare cleverly uses to keep the character Richard of Gloucester running throughout the play. It revitalizes his character and interest in him is always stimulated because of this. To an extent, Richard uses appearance and reality as a stepping stool for further dealings in the future. Richard, the anti-hero, uses his physical appearance as a driving force for evil traits and deceive4s others into thinking that it makes him weaker. His contrasting treatment of women perfectly illustrates how well he can adjust roles when required. He is the master of deception as his opening soliloquy proves. It is what is said in private that reveals to the audience what Richard’s true intentions are and it is what is said in public that reflect lies. Shakespeare makes this link early on so that Richards changing won’t fool the audience. Shakespeare mirrors appearance and reality through the manipulation of religion to show the extent that Richard will go to obtain what he requires. Appearance and reality is important because it shows that Richard is a character of dual interpretations and Shakespeare makes sure Richard uses it continually so that his character continues to fuel interest for the audience. Appearance and reality is a vital tool in the play as it not only plays a huge part in shaping events in the play but it also reveals future events that are to take place.
