What qualities does Richard possess that make him attractive to the audience?

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-1“What qualities does Richard possess that make him attractive to the audience?”

Shakespeare establishes a relationship between Richard and I through the opening soliloquy, which presents Richard as an ugly, disabled and excluded from sportive tricks, ladies and being a normal human being. Richard comes across as an evil but smart person, which is attractive to the audience. This invites sympathy towards Richard and builds up a link with the audience.

In Act one Scene one Richard’s opening soliloquy, sets out the events leading up to the start of the play it also tells us what Richard thinks about himself and what he intends to do about his problems. Because during the soliloquy Richard expresses his inner desires only to the audience so they feel as though they are part of Richards mind and his thinking.

“Now is the winter of our discontent
Made glorious summer by this sun of York” (Act one Scene One)

This helps make him attractive because if the audience are relating to his thinking then he becomes more close to them.

Just after this, Richard puts into action the first part of his overall plan to rule England by tricking the king into thinking that Clarence would try to take over the throne. This shows the audience Richard’s ruthlessness because through his actions he is putting his own brother into prison. But because of the soliloquy just before this the audience know that this is going to happen so are probably not surprised but at the same time are wondering how the events will unfold. As Richard has confided with them they are attracted to him at this stage.

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In Act one Scene two Richard tries to court Anne even though he has killed her Father and Husband. When the conversation begins between him and Anne it appears as though he will get nowhere because Anne starts by saying things like “Foul devil” and “Villain” but Richard steadily gained Anne’s trust by use of persuasive actions and being able to confidently persuade her without any inkling of his true intentions.

“With all my heart; and much it joys me too,
To see you are become so penitent” (Act one Scene two)

 By doing this he has shown the audience ...

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