Richard III story
Richard III is a play by William Shakespeare. It was probably written around 1593. It is labeled a history in the First Folio, and is usually considered one, but it is sometimes called a tragedy, as in the quarto edition.[citation needed] Richard III concludes Shakespeare's first tetralogy (also containing Henry VI, Part 1, and Henry VI, Part 2, and Henry VI, Part 3) and depicts the Machiavellian rise to power and subsequent short reign of King Richard III of England.
26 total · 3 choice · 6 major · 17 minor
| Theme | Level | Motivation |
|---|---|---|
| courtly intrigues | choice | Richard plotted and schemed to remove his adversaries in court and make himself king. |
| the lust for power | choice | Richard was notably hungry for power |
| treason | choice | Richard plotted against his brother and king. Hastings was executed on a trumped up charge of treason. |
| betrayal | major | Richard betrayed those that were loyal to him but insufficient zealous, notably Hastings and Buckingham, as well as his own trusting brother Clarence |
| civil war | major | Richard III was unpopular and face rebellion lead first by Buckingham and then Richmond; three peasants were noted talking about the dark times ahead, implying civil war |
| coping with being disfigured | major | Richard complained about his deformity and said it is the reason for him being a villain |
| divine retribution | major | Critics argue that, in the play, Richard III is the final evil visited upon England as retribution for the murder of king Richard II, which was a crime against the heavens |
| humility | major | Richard frequently feigned great humility |
| parricide | major | Richard ordered the murdered of his brother and nephews. |
| acute anxiety | minor | Richard became somewhat paranoid in the last act, notably accusing Stanley of plotting treason |