Richard III
In order to better understand this play, it is important to know its historical background, especially the War of the Roses: the struggle between the Lancaster family, symbolised by a red rose, and the York family, symbolised by a white rose. Before the events described in this play, the Lancastrian Henry VI was murdered, together with his son and heir to the throne, Edward of Wales, by the Yorks: King Edward IV, Clarence, and their younger brother Richard of Gloucester, the future Richard III. The king and his son leave widows: Queen Margaret, who bitterly curses the Yorks, and Lady Anne, who mourns the death of her husband, but later marries Richard III.
Major Themes
The Allure of Evil: As the main protagonist who addresses the audience, Richard inevitably draws sympathy of the viewers. He uses his deformity and malicious accusation of others to justify his evil actions. Some characters, like Lady Anne, Buckingham and Hastings, allow themselves to be taken in by his charisma, adn they become complicit in their own destruction.
The Power of Language: Richard’s extraordinary skill with words enables him to manipulate, confuse and control those around him. He uses his eloquence to woo Lady Anne, blame the king for Clarence’s death, accuse the Queen and the Woodvilles of a plot, achieve Hastings’ execution and accomplish his own crowning.
The Connection Between Ruler and State: The so-called window scenes in this play–the depiction of the relationship between the court and the common people–provides a glimpse into how the drama in the royal palace affects the inhabitants. The fate of England under Richard suggests that the moral righteousness of a political ruler has a direct bearing on the health of the state.
The Birth of the Tudor Dynasty: Since the fate of Shakespeare’s career in the theatre depended directly on Queen Elizabeth, a Tudor, the playwright had to portray the fall of the Yorks and the ascension of the Tudor dynasty with the victory of Earl of Richmond, later King Henry VII, as a triumph of peace and justice.
The Supernatural: The determination of historical events by divine providence is reflected in the women’s prophetic curses, Clarence and Stanley’s prophetic dreams, and the parade of eleven ghosts who condemn Richard and encourage Richmond before the final battle.