The Personality Changes of King Richard III

Richard the third is one of the most provocative examples of literary text I have ever been privileged too discover. It explores many sociological aspects of Shakespeare's time and can be even used as a tool to explore our modern society. This can be done as it delves into aspects of human character which are the very fabric of humanity as we know it. It does this predominantly through Richard who's absolute domination of the text is unparalleled out of my relatively short list of literary encounters. Every scene within the play, whether Richard is actually present or not he is the dominant figure. If he is present he dominants the scene with his witty and ascendant mannerisms and should he happen to be exempt from a scene which is a rarity in itself, he is usually connected in some way and is constantly on the mind of the viewer. I think Richard, Duke of Gloucester is one of the most determined literary figures I have ever come across. I feel success is dependent upon a number of factors. I feel the most important of these is for one to be determined and for their characteristics to reciprocate their goals. In the play Richard the third Richard was determined to become the King of England but also, more importantly to prove a villain. Although on the surface one might say Richards determination lay in him wanting to become King, I feel he only used to apparent want to be crowned as a medium to exhibit his true determination; to prove a villain.

In the first scene of the play, Richard announced in a narration, his plan to become king. Richard plainly stated that he was "Deformed, Unfinished, and sent before his time" and "since he cannot prove to be a lover; he is determined to prove a villain. A true villain must be highly intelligent as Richard undoubtedly was. Richard proved this quality in a number of ways; he was highly manipulative and persuasive and was constantly manipulating situations so it fitted in with his overall evil puzzle. Richard devised a brutal stratagem to ascend to the English throne. Brilliantly, he executed his plan. Heartlessly, he executed family, friends, and subjects. Richard did indeed display these characteristics and therefore fulfilled his goal to ascend the throne and also, more importantly to prove a villain. Richard was a phenomenally evil character. His determination was formed, apparently out of his hatred of an unforgiving world, as he says in his opening soliloquy. Although some would argue his motives were formed elsewhere.

With his elder brother, King Edward IV, dying, Richard believed himself to be the most qualified to rule. He set his plan to ascend to the throne into action. The first step was to lock up the rightful heir, his other brother George, Duke of Clarence, in the tower. He demonstrated his manipulation skills and plants the seeds of distrust in his brother Clarence's ...