Power of Richard III

After reading Shakespeare's Richard III for the first time, I was left rather shocked. After such a bloodbath I came away from the text somewhat dazed. All my other encounters with Shakespeare's work had imposed a central vein to which the work revolved. Of course, however, the first play we read diverged from this impression. Now in no way am I saying that the play is lacking of theme, but rather it took more time resonate with me than turning the last page and having my "ah-ha" moment!

At the outset of the play, we the audience, witness Richard (The Duke of Gloucester) lament his deformities and ugly appearance, setting the stage for an emphatic rage within the English kingdom. This initial allusion, to his appearance, was one of the first events that toys with the audiences mind and led me to struggle with the essence of the play. Is Richard legitimately vengeful because of his proposed appearance? Or is this yet another act of manipulation with the audience? As the play progresses Richard continually butchers any opposition between him and the crown. He kills his own brother, wife, husband, court nobleman, countrymen, and even goes so far as to murder the youthful princes, heirs to the throne. Time and again however, the villain lures back his fellow characters and the audience itself with passionate monologues and manipulative dialogue. In Act I , not even Lady Anne can resist his hand in marriage after Richard has just murdered her husband. This is not by coincidence.

When taken independently, Richard proves throughout the play that he is able to manipulate and deceive out of any situation. It is only at the end of the play when his numerous bloody deeds have been recognized that valiant Richard meets his downfall. This pattern is what led me to perhaps the greater message of the work. The allure of power. Even in our modern day and age, if presented with the opportunity to make more money, expand our business, or grow our wealth in whatever respect, we would take it. Incrementally Richard sets out and boldly does the same thing, but through murder. Ignoring any offense we may take with the killing, much of what Richard does in the play may not be that far off from a piece of ourselves. It is only when we look back and see the people we hurt in pursuit of our ambitions, that perhaps the lure of power is dissipated. In the end manipulative, blood thirsty Richard draws fellow characters to him, while also driving the play forward, all through a lust for power.