Shakespeare Character Analysis - Richard III - Essay Example

Although Richard III appears to be the devil, yet he is indeed human Richard III is a unique novel by Shakespeare and is totally different from the whole range of novels by Shakespeare in that audience experiences a very ambiguous, highly alterable, and complex relationship with Richard, who is the play’s central character. Right from the conception of the novel, the fact that Richard is a villain with evil machinations dawns upon the audience when Richard makes an overt expression of his intention of leaving no stone unturned in the way of gaining his nefarious objectives in these words: I am determined to prove a villain, And hate the idle pleasures of these days.

Plots have I laid, inductions dangerous, By drunken prophecies, libels and dreams, To set my brother Clarence and the king In deadly hate the one against the other. (Shakespeare 14). Paradoxically, there is a unique sanctity hidden in his approach that makes the audience consent with him. For a major part of the story, Richard sounds quite fascinating, charismatic and appealing to the audience in spite of his allegiance to evil and the audience feels like approving of his behavior and sympathizing with him.

Richard impresses the audience with his charisma. The relationship of audience with Richard compliments that of Richard with other characters of the play. The power of his persona can be estimated from the fact that Lady Anne, who is totally aware of the intrinsic wickedness of Richard can not help being seduced by the skillful argumentation, articulate mannerism, brilliant wordplay, and the relentless pursuit of Richard’s selfish wants. It is important to note that Lady Anne is aware of Richard’s evil character, and also conveys her understanding of his character to him in these words: Foul devil, for God’s sake, hence, trouble us not; For thou hast made the happy earth thy hell, Fill’d it with cursing cries and deep exclaims.

If thou delight to view thy heinous deeds, Behold this pattern of thy butcheries. (Shakespeare 19). Throughout the play, Richard’s confessions of his evil plans grab the audience’s attention. In fact, Shakespeare has purposefully made use of the monologues of Richard in a successful attempt to allow him to work his charms upon the audience. Every human being wants to be loved. Love is the fundamental need of humans. Owing to his need to love and being loved, man is called as a social animal.

Physical deformities ruin an individual’s looks, but his/her self-esteem is never lowered unless there is negative response from the society about such a deformity. Society makes a lot of difference in the way a person feels about himself. People’s criticism towards something as a physical deformity, that is beyond the control of an individual inculcates hatred for himself/herself in the individual. It is the very hatred that fills abhorrence against the society in the individual. Owing to this explanation of the cause of abhorrence, it makes complete sense for Richard to be human, and yet hate others.

Not that a human is justified to hate others for such reasons, but it is true that humans feel like hating others when they are hated. Richard hates other characters of the play for a similar reason. Shakespeare has fully conveyed the underlying reason of Richard’s wickedness by making Richard declare that he has a