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Comparing Macbeth And Richard III

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Richard III: Essay Two
In Shakespeare’s Richard III, we watch as Richard, Duke of Gloucester, uses his gifts of charisma and deception to pursue his need for power. Richard’s narcissism is seen right away with the opening of the first scene as he vows to make the court share in his own misery and implies that his ambition is to become the king. He also shares with the audience that he set in motion an elaborate plan to meet his goals, by spreading rumors against his brother Clarence, in order to make his other brother King Edward, suspicious of him. Richard serves as both the protagonist and the villain over the course of the play. As a villain, Richard becomes the embodiment of evil and symbolizes the depravity of man. Shakespeare’s
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The mourner is soon approached by Richard and relays her suspicions of him being responsible for Henry’s death. “What, do you tremble? Are you all afraid? Alas, I blame you not, for you are mortal, And mortal eyes cannot endure the devil.— Avaunt, thou dreadful minister of hell. Thou hadst but power over his mortal body; His soul thou canst not have. Therefore begone. (I.ii.40-45) Anne seems to be one of the few characters who can actually see past Richard’s charade and recognize how wicked he is in spite of her calling him out, Richard coolly denies her accusations and even goes as far as to flirt with her: “Your beauty was the cause of that effect— Your beauty, that did haunt me in my sleep To undertake the death of all the world, So I might live one hour in your sweet bosom.” (I.ii.125-130) right in front of the body they both know he had a hand in killing! The utter disregard for the feelings of Anne provides additional evidence of Richard’s real character and the fact that he succeeds in his advances proves the power Richard has over people and the extent to which he will go to meet his dangerously high ambitions. Richard’s speeches throughout Scene III displays his sheer hypocrisy as the audience is well aware of his real motivations and the actions he has taken behind the scenes particularly with that of imprisoning Clarence. By accusing the other court members of slander, our protagonist shifts the blame from himself and
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