Richard III -Analysis

Richard the III immediately takes on the role of the ultimate villain. In the opening scene in Act 1, he expresses his desire to be enveloped by this evil-to have his entire soul and body overwhelmed with the ugliness of it, and he is able to personify evil by his devious traits and manipulative manner.

Richard is cunning and is aware that in order to achieve his aspirations of becoming king, his most vile side of his personality must be hidden from upper society. He wants to appear as though his inner goals are not to be named king; he tangles them in his lies and uses his deformities to evoke pity and compassion. He places guilt upon those that accuse him of evil intentions-using his physical deformities to his benefit and that accusing a man with so little to live for in life is degrading.

There are two tones prevalent in his speech. Richard is reflecting on society as a whole, as well as, himself. War has ended and he wants the battles to rage on. While the countryside is rejoicing due to the peace they are experiencing, Richard is furious with this new found prosperity. The happiness and joy of others only highlights his own self-loathing. He is incapable of focusing on the positive in his life, and he is the cause of his own misery. Richard's mentality and actions are the reasons as to why he is unable to find a woman that is capable of fully loving him without having to be manipulated into it. He allows his physical deformities to plague him internally.

The repetition of the word "I" concentrates on his bitterness and building anger. He is unable to sympathize with anyone; countless people were killed and lives were ruined during the brutal wartime, and he is brewing new and horrible ways in which he can create his own havoc to generate the destruction that occurred during war.

Richard is fully aware of his desire to be evil. He is not manipulated by higher sources or greater powers; he is acting upon free will. He longs for these menacing feelings and thoughts to "dive" deeper into his soul so he is truly capable of embracing these villian-like qualities and become overtaken by the root of all evil. Richard is conscious of the fact that in order to attain such desires, he must be coy and not allow his superiors to see his true face.