Shakespeare’s Richard III
Now, more than ever, a fairy tale like Shakespeare’s Richard III seems relevant. It is tale of a monarch, in his place of power by only the thinest shards of command structure, dubious, at best, and slowly, the population figures out the king, the commander, is an arrogant, conniving ruler.
In short? The historical King Richard III doesn’t even align closely with Shakespeare’s villainous version, but that doesn’t matter, as this is a fairy tale. Perhaps a dark tale for the times, and what to watch for.
When they carried off the body of Richard III for a seasonal Winedale production, the final banner read, “Car Park,” as that’s where his royal remains were found centuries later.
Previously, I’ve alluded to this, the might and majesty of Shakespeare’s lines are easy to see in the historical Henry VI plays, part 2, part 1, part 3. But that’s not what I was thinking about.
There is no evidence linking the historical Richard III with murdering the nephews in the Tower. But from a dramatic turn, what is different from having Tyrrel murder the babies, and bombing a maternity hospital, or theatre full of refugees?
Shakespeare’s Richard III
The video version, formerly a movie, and several seasons on stage, starring (Sir) Ian McKellen is an almost accessible version. I like it. As a metaphor, though, what happens when tyranny goes unchecked?
“But I am in
So far in blood that sin will pluck on sin.”
- Richard III (IV.ii.63)
The title is sometimes, The Tragedy of Richard III, although, it is positioned as a historical play. There is political pandering for the play’s position, and its reach, to the point there is a King Richard the Third anti-defamation society, valiantly trying to right a historical fiction’s image.
Shakespeare’s Richard III
This isn’t about the historical record, but more about evil, and what happens with characters when ambition, greed, asserts control.
While not word-for-word, the plot elements, and what is happening, politically
Hint: doesn’t end well.
Shakespeare’s Richard III
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