By Richard Andersen
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Additional resources for Richard III (Shakespeare Explained)
Sample text
Elizabeth I was on England’s throne at the time. The Earl of Richmond, who defeated Richard at Bosworth Field, was her grandfather. The Yorks were her family’s enemies. For Shakespeare to present Richard III as 48 Sh akesp ear e e xp l a ined: R ich ar d ii i anything less than Vice and Richmond as anything less than Virtue might have resulted in the playwright’s imprisonment in the Tower of London. We know from Richard III what that can mean. And knowing the unpredictability and volatility of Elizabethan politics, he’d probably have some royal company.
If she wants to save herself and her younger son, sanctuary is her only recourse. But will Richard honor the sacred tradition of a church providing refuge for people whose lives are in danger? The Elizabethans watching Shakespeare’s play already knew the answer to that question: he would not. The Elizabethans were superstitious and believed that anything that was unnatural was evil. It is significant, therefore, that Shakespeare has York comment on Richard eating bread as a newborn. It implies that Richard had teeth as an infant, which is certainly unnatural.
He puts on a charade even for young children so that they will trust him and favor him. The duchess tells them that Richard has misrepresented the king, but the children refuse to believe her; Richard has beat her to the punch. In fact, they accuse her of not mourning their father’s death. A final note: the historical Clarence died in 1478, five years before Edward IV. As he did with the historical Queen Margaret, Shakespeare brings Clarence back to life for the dramatic purpose of underscoring Richard’s unscrupulous villainy.