Themes (Richard III)

This section explores the key themes in the play Richard III by William Shakespeare. Richard III is one of Shakespeare's most famous history plays, focusing on the rise and fall of Richard, Duke of Gloucester, who schemes, deceives, and murders his way to the English throne. Set during the final years of the Wars of the Roses, the play explores themes of power, ambition, conscience, and the nature of evil. Richard III’s character is a study in villainy, manipulating both people and events in his quest for absolute power.

Power and Ambition

Power is the central driving force of the play, with Richard's ambition pushing him to commit unspeakable acts. Richard's desire to rule is fuelled by a sense of entitlement and dissatisfaction with his place in the royal hierarchy. His ambition is relentless, and he is willing to manipulate, betray, and murder to achieve his goals.

Richard’s ambition: Richard is not content with his position as Duke of Gloucester. His ambition is made clear from the start when he declares his intention to "prove a villain" (Act 1, Scene 1), deciding to scheme his way to the throne.

The crown as the ultimate goal: The crown becomes a symbol of absolute power and is what drives Richard to eliminate every possible obstacle, including his own family.

Consequences of ambition: The destructive nature of ambition is portrayed through Richard's rise to power and his eventual downfall. As he gains the throne, his grasp on power becomes increasingly unstable, and he loses allies and support, leading to his defeat.

Manipulation and Deception

Richard is a master manipulator, using charm, cunning, and deceit to bend others to his will. Throughout the play, he manipulates both friends and foes to achieve his ends. His ability to present different faces to different people is the key to his success.

Lady Anne's seduction: One of Richard's most famous manipulations is his wooing of Lady Anne (Act 1, Scene 2), whom he has made a widow by killing her husband. Despite her initial hatred for him, Richard skilfully manipulates her emotions, demonstrating his ability to control others.

The princes in the Tower: Richard’s manipulation extends to his own family. He gains the trust of the young princes (his nephews) only to have them imprisoned and ultimately murdered.

False loyalty: Richard frequently feigns loyalty to King Edward IV and other figures of power, only to betray them when it suits his ambition. His duplicity is evident throughout, but those around him are often blinded by his outward charm and apparent loyalty.

Conscience and Guilt

Richard appears to be devoid of conscience for much of the play, as he commits a series of brutal acts without hesitation. However, as the play progresses, there are moments where guilt begins to surface, particularly towards the end of the play.

Lack of guilt: For the majority of the play, Richard’s actions are motivated purely by ambition, without any apparent moral qualms. He dismisses conscience as something that only troubles cowards, saying, "Conscience is but a word that cowards use" (Act 5, Scene 3).

Richard’s nightmare: On the eve of the Battle of Bosworth, Richard is visited by the ghosts of those he has killed, which is a manifestation of his guilt. His previously hidden conscience emerges, revealing the psychological toll of his crimes. He admits, "O coward conscience, how dost thou afflict me!" (Act 5, Scene 3).

The role of conscience in his downfall: Richard’s psychological breakdown in the final act demonstrates how even the most hardened villain cannot entirely escape guilt. His moments of doubt and self-awareness weaken his resolve in battle and contribute to his defeat.

Fate and Free Will

The tension between fate and free will is a recurring theme in Richard III. Shakespeare raises the question of whether Richard's downfall is the result of his own choices or whether it is predetermined by fate or divine justice.

Divine retribution: Throughout the play, there is a sense that Richard’s actions are being watched by a higher power, and that his eventual downfall is part of a divine plan to restore order to England. Queen Margaret frequently curses Richard, predicting his demise, and her curses seem to come true as the play progresses.

Self-determination: Richard often presents himself as a man in control of his own destiny, freely choosing to "prove a villain". His manipulative actions suggest a belief in free will, as he sees himself as a creator of his own fortune, not bound by moral or divine laws.

Predetermined fate: However, by the play’s end, Richard's defeat at the Battle of Bosworth suggests that forces beyond his control, whether divine justice or fate, have caught up with him. His downfall feels inevitable, suggesting that despite his belief in free will, his fate was sealed by his evil actions.

The Nature of Evil

Richard embodies a form of pure, Machiavellian evil. His behaviour and decisions are marked by an absence of morality, compassion, or honour. The play is a study in how unchecked ambition and moral corruption lead to ruin, both for Richard and those around him.

Richard as the embodiment of evil: From the outset, Richard declares himself a villain and relishes in the chaos he causes. His physical deformity (a hunchback) is often seen as a symbol of his inner evil, although modern interpretations challenge this simplistic view.

Machiavellianism: Richard is a quintessential Machiavellian figure, someone who believes that the ends justify the means. He uses deceit, murder, and manipulation without concern for the moral implications, as long as it furthers his goal of power.

Consequences of evil: Richard’s unrelenting evil ultimately isolates him. By the play’s climax, he is utterly alone, abandoned by even his closest allies. His loss of control and his eventual death are portrayed as the natural outcome of his monstrous actions.

Divine Justice

The play suggests that Richard’s rise to power and subsequent downfall are part of a larger moral and religious framework. Shakespeare presents a world where God, or fate, ensures that justice is ultimately served, even if it is delayed.

Margaret’s curses: Margaret, the widow of Henry VI, serves as a voice of divine retribution. Her curses against Richard and those who betrayed her family are echoed throughout the play. She represents the inevitability of justice for the wrongs committed.

The restoration of order: Richard's defeat by Henry Tudor (Richmond) symbolises the restoration of moral and divine order. Richmond’s victory is portrayed as a triumph of good over evil, with the new king establishing peace and unity in England.

Moral reckoning: The deaths of the princes, Clarence, and others represent the moral reckoning that follows Richard’s tyrannical actions. The play suggests that God’s justice cannot be escaped, and even the most powerful will be held accountable for their actions.

Conclusion

Shakespeare's Richard III explores the destructive consequences of unchecked ambition, manipulation, and moral corruption. Through Richard’s complex character, Shakespeare delves into questions of power, conscience, fate, and justice. The play offers a powerful exploration of how evil can rise to the highest levels of power but ultimately self-destructs, with divine justice ensuring that order and morality are restored.