The reign of Queen Elizabeth I was one of prosperous activity for the arts in England. This period is known as the “Golden Age” and English nationalism gained momentum, as evidently shown through writers creating their works in the English language. Furthermore, the Queen had a passion for the arts, and thus encouraged and patronized activities such as the creation of theaters. Overall, London became a cultural center and in which the arts flourished under the Queen. Playwrights ,such as William Shakespeare, were enthusiastic about this embrace of the arts and were encouraged to depict characteristics of Elizabethan society. Consequently, influences from the main cultural center encouraged and shaped plays such as Richard III. Historical influences are evident through Shakespeare’s plot, character of Richard III and the challenging of gender stereotypes, which result in the glorification of the Tudor dynasty. Firstly, Niccolo Machiavelli ‘s influences on England during the Elizabethan Era transmit in the plot of the play. Machiavelli published Il Principe and established guidelines on how a prince could get and secure power (“The Influence of Machiavelli on Shakespeare”). This can be seen in the first scenes of the play, when Richard outlines his plans that will lead him to the throne. The character exclaims, “Plots I have laid, inductions dangerous, by drunken prophecies, libels and dreams” (Act 1). Shakespeare’s main point is that Richard III will do anything in his power to get what he wants. This characterization is tied to Machiavelli’s influence in Elizabethan era because his writings encouraged the quest and obtaining of power. While Machiavelli introduced new political ideas during this era, Shakespeare adapted his tenants... ... middle of paper ... ...e rising of the Queen brings to England overall is well embedded in the play. Shakespeare creates a play of this time through the plot, the characters and the overall conflicts of the play. Although the events taking place in London are not the main focus of the play, Shakespeare manages to include the impacts through his characters. While embedding historical events in his plot, Shakespeare manages to legitimize the rule of the reining dynasty. Works Cited Preis, Dorothea. "Richard III Society of NSW." Richard III Society of NSW RSS. HSC History Extension, 7 Nov. 2012. Web. 6 Apr. 2014. Shapiro, Susan. "Feminists in Elizabethan England." History Today. History Today, n.d. Web. 06 Apr. 2014. "Study Tools." Study Tools. N.p., n.d. Web. 07 Apr. 2014. "The Richard III Society." Richard III Society of NSW RSS. HRH The Duke of Clougester, n.d. Web. 07 Apr. 2014.
Shakespeare constructs King Richard III to perform his contextual agenda, or to perpetrate political propaganda in the light of a historical power struggle, mirroring the political concerns of his era through his adaptation and selection of source material. Shakespeare’s influences include Thomas More’s The History of King Richard the Third, both constructing a certain historical perspective of the play. The negative perspective of Richard III’s character is a perpetuation of established Tudor history, where Vergil constructed a history intermixed with Tudor history, and More’s connection to John Morton affected the villainous image of the tyrannous king. This negative image is accentuated through the antithesis of Richards treachery in juxtaposition of Richmond’s devotion, exemplified in the parallelism of ‘God and Saint George! Richmond and victory.’ The need to legitimize Elizabeth’s reign influenced Shakespeare’s portra...
In his article, "Shakespeare 's King Richard III and the Problematics of Tudor Bastardy", Maurice Hunt gives a convincing (dare I say legitimate!) argument for why he believes Shakespeare took a large risk writing and performing his play King Richard III during the life of Queen Elizabeth I. Knowing the challenges Elizabeth faced during her childhood and into her reign because of her father, King Henry VIII 's ever-changing mind whether or not she was a legitimate heir or a bastard, I agree with Hunt in the fact Shakespeare took a huge risk with his performances of Richard III, if in fact she did see the performance which is something I will be touching on later on, but for the sake of the review of his article I will be focusing on his argument based on Elizabeth being present. Hunt also spends a great deal explaining the history of bastardry in the Tudor family so that we can understand why that
Shakespeare's Richard III is from the outset a very moral play. It opens with an introduction to the character of Richard in his "Now is the winter..." speech. In this we are first introduced to the idea of a man becoming evil from his own free will, excused (by him) on the grounds of his inability to fit in with the physical ideals of society, saying, "And therefore, since I cannot prove a lover... I am determined to prove a villain." Although we are not, at this point, given a definite indication of Shakespeare's opinion on this moral position, it is the opening for a discussion on what is morally acceptable, which is continued quite decisively throughout the play.
The first scene of the play begins with a soliloquy, which emphasizes Richard's physical isolation as he appears alone as he speaks to is audience. The idea of physical isolation is heightened by his references to his deformity such as "rudely stamped ....Cheated of feature by dissembling Nature, deformed unfinished". "( 1.1.21-22). This deformity would be an outward indication to his audience of the disharmony from Nature and viciousness of his spirit. As he hated "the idle pleasure of these days" and speaks of his plots to sent one brother against another, Richard seems socially apart from the figures around him, and perhaps regarded as an outsider or ostracized because of his deformity. His separation his family is emphasized when he says "Dive, thoughts down to my soul"(1.1.41) when he sees his brother approaching. He is unable to share his thought with his own family as he is plotting against them. Thus, we are given hints of his physical, social and spiritual isolation which is developed throughout the play. But despite these hints, he still refers to himself as part of the House of York, shown in the repeated use of "Our"
In Richard II, Shakespeare portrays King Richard II as an unreliable leader. Richard II is highly self-absorbed and neglects to take the common folk into account when making decisions. Because of his narcissism, Richard disregards the consequences of his actions. One of King Richard’s main concerns in the play stems from his desire to acquire John of Gaunt’s possessions shortly after he passes, saying, “Think what you will, we seize into our hands / His plate, his goods, his money, and his lands” (2.1.209-210). Richard demonstrates his relentless motives to obtain Gaunt’s material possessions and land as he persistently insists on doing so even after the Duke of York expresses his reluctance. He showcases his unjustly actions, as well, for he conspires to take the possessions of his uncle that are rightfully Bolingbroke’s, for John of Gaunt is Bo...
"What qualities of character did Richard III have that enabled him to ascend the throne?" Name and show these characteristics in action in the play Richard III.
After exiling Henry, Richard takes the opportunity to criticize his "courtship to the common people." His speech at first seems to merit Henry for his sociability, but it quickly becomes clear that, to Richard, commoners are not fit for royal consumption:
The undeniable pursuit for power is Richard’s flaw as a Vice character. This aspect is demonstrated in Shakespeare’s play King Richard III through the actions Richard portrays in an attempt to take the throne, allowing the audience to perceive this as an abhorrent transgression against the divine order. The deformity of Richards arm and back also symbolically imply a sense of villainy through Shakespeare’s context. In one of Richard’s soliloquies, he states how ‘thus like the formal Vice Iniquity/ I moralize two meanings in one word’. Through the use of immoral jargons, Shakespeare emphasises Richard’s tenacity to attain a sense of power. However, Richard’s personal struggle with power causes him to become paranoid and demanding, as demonstrated through the use of modality ‘I wish’ in ‘I wish the bastards dead’. This act thus becomes heavily discordant to the accepted great chain of being and conveys Richard’s consumption by power.
Shakespeare starts with King Richard in the play Richard II who, having been born into the royal line and following the laws of succession, has been raised to believe that he has the right to rule, g...
According to many, Shakespeare intentionally portrays Richard III in ways that would have the world hail him as the ultimate Machiavel. This build up only serves to further the dramatic irony when Richard falls from his throne. The nature of Richard's character is key to discovering the commentary Shakespeare is delivering on the nature of tyrants. By setting up Richard to be seen as the ultimate Machiavel, only to have him utterly destroyed, Shakespeare makes a dramatic commentary on the frailty of tyranny and such men as would aspire to tyrannical rule.
one of Richard’s consultants by the name of Sheriff Hutton. www.richardIII.com stated that Shakespeare also said that Richard
William Shakespeare has become landmark in English literature. One must be familiar with the early days of English literature in order to comprehend the foundation of much of more modern literature’s basis. Shakespeare’s modern influence is still seen clearly in many ways. The success of Shakespeare’s works helped to set the example for the development of modern dramas and plays. He is also acknowledged for being one of the first writers to use any modern prose in his writings.
Queen Elizabeth I ruled for much of Shakespeare’s life in England and therefore had a great impact on his work. She had a big role in the social arts and culture. Affecting many peoples’ lives in England; she especially affected those in the arts. She supported artists in their work in many different ways. Shakespeare and his theatre being one of the artists she supported. The Queen would come to the theatres to enjoy a show, and whether or not she enjoyed it would be the result of the popularity and success of that play. Shakespeare made a living out of his play writings; the Queen would come and spend many pounds to see a play. This being the reason why Shakespeare would create characters appealing to his Queen.
...n moral and royal principles. By the end of this play, it’s clear that Richard has completely questioned the concept of divine right and when he has to shed his crown and turn over England to his enemy, he dramatically states “Throw away respect, Tradition, form, and ceremonious duty; For you have but mistook me all this while. I live with bread like you, feel want, Taste grief, need friends. (3.3.172-76). Just because Richard as a divine right to be the King doesn’t mean that he is the right choice to accomplished the requirement of what it takes to be a great king. Richard was lacking on the will power of a leader. His downfall was his fault in the sense that he couldn’t concentrate to see what he was doing to his region as a ruler. He failed as a leader but at the same time he gain sometime much better than a crown, Richard gain the understanding of who he is.
From the beginning of the play, Richard II is apathetic at best in his royal role. By exiling Bolingbroke and...