Richard III Group at eNotes

I am writing an essay on manipulation. I have to analyze the text to...

Mon, 7 Apr 2008 18:29:51 PST

I am writing an essay on manipulation. I have to analyze the text to discover HOW(not why)Richard is successful with his manipulation.

In this scene, the atmosphere is most a consequence of suddenness. ...

Thu, 28 Feb 2008 11:25:40 PST

In this scene, the atmosphere is most a consequence of suddenness. Richard's behavior changes completely when informed of the loyalty to the princes. The change suggests instability to the audience, which further heightens the feeling of dark and evil tidings. If the temper can shift that quickly and become so murderous, the person must be unstable and illogical. This is not a person guided by morals or ethics.Furthermore, the effects...

How does Shakespeare create an atmosphere of evil in Act III, scene 4 of...

Thu, 28 Feb 2008 10:50:03 PST

How does Shakespeare create an atmosphere of evil in Act III, scene 4 of Richard III?

Webster's defines "dissemble" as "to put on a false...

Thu, 21 Feb 2008 18:46:50 PST

Webster's defines "dissemble" as "to put on a false appearance: conceal facts, intentions, or feelings under some pretense."In Shakespeare's depiction of him, Richard III is the very image of someone who dissembles. He shows sympathy when his brother George is led off to prison, but Richard is responsible for his imprisonment. Like Caesar, Richard pretends not to want the crown when it is really what he wants. He persuades...

I have to write an essay on the notion of "dissembling" in the...

Thu, 21 Feb 2008 14:22:06 PST

I have to write an essay on the notion of "dissembling" in the play Richard III. Can anyone give me some hints?

This is a tough question to answer as I'm not sure exactly what...

Mon, 29 Oct 2007 05:32:04 PST

This is a tough question to answer as I'm not sure exactly what "relationship" you're referring to - relationship between characters, events, or just an overall view of the scenes? We can definitely see a whole lot of plotting by Richard to achieve his ultimate goal (the throne), but that can also be seen throughout the play, not just in the three scenes mentioned in the question.Check out the links below for summaries of these two...

Richard is a case study of pshchological evil; he is clearly a villain...

Fri, 31 Aug 2007 16:51:56 PST

Richard is a case study of pshchological evil; he is clearly a villain and makes his wicked intentions clear in every speech. However, at the same time, he is also the protagonist of the play and a charismatic and mesmerizing figure that can actually earn the audience's sympathy. His evil nature is revealed expertly through his wickedness, yet brilliant wordplay, his skillful argumentation, and his relentless pursuit of his selfish...

It is Richard who blames the others, not Edward. Edward IV is Richard's...

Mon, 9 Jul 2007 12:03:16 PST

It is Richard who blames the others, not Edward. Edward IV is Richard's brother who is king at the beginning of the play. He's very ill, and Richard plans to become king by getting rid of Clarence, Richard's other brother. In the opening lines of the play, the audience learns that Richard has begun an evil plot to cause King Edward to arrest Clarence by pouring "drunken prophecies, libels, and dreams" into the King's ear. In other words,...

In 3.5, Richard has succeeded in getting rid of Hastings by getting the...

Wed, 4 Jul 2007 17:52:58 PST

In 3.5, Richard has succeeded in getting rid of Hastings by getting the Mayor to believe the false stories about him. Richard pretends great indignation saying he had been duped by Hastings and feigning great sorrow at his alleged treachery: "So dear I loved the man that I must weep. / I took him for the plainest harmelss creature / That breathed upon the earth, a Christian, / Made him my book wherein...

Like much of Shakespeare's verse, this line has multiple nuances....

Mon, 14 May 2007 15:08:31 PST

Like much of Shakespeare's verse, this line has multiple nuances. Richard suffers from a birth defect that makes him a hunchback. As a result, he grows up feeling belittled and unappreciated. But there is more to the story than this. A good analysis comes from "The Shakespeare Resource Center" (http://www.bardweb.net/content/readings/richard3/lines.html). They explain the line this way: "Dissembling (from Middle English dissymblen,...

Explain what Richard means by saying he had been "cheated of feature by...

Mon, 14 May 2007 12:59:54 PST

Explain what Richard means by saying he had been "cheated of feature by dissembling nature". In what way had nature been dissembling?

Anne demonstrates one of human beings' greatest frailities - vanity....

Wed, 9 May 2007 11:44:01 PST

Anne demonstrates one of human beings' greatest frailities - vanity. She is perfectly aware of Richard's evil and murderous nature, but Richard is cunning. He approaches her with calm sincerity, not attempting to deny her accusations, knowing that anyone who is denied (put on defense) only becomes more angry. Richard then is the sweet-talker, first flattering her dead husband, whom she obviously loved. Richard states he was "fitter for...

In what way is Richard's cunning persuasive powers the reason for Anne's...

Tue, 8 May 2007 11:13:30 PST

Doesn't this change of mind seem to far-fetched?

In Act III, scene 5 lines 1 to 49 and act 2 line 60 to the end how is...

Mon, 16 Apr 2007 10:53:18 PST

In Act III, scene 5 lines 1 to 49 and act 2 line 60 to the end how is Richard shown to be both evil and clever in these extracts?

I would say that its a battle between good and evil, a battle that has...

Thu, 29 Mar 2007 06:49:07 PST

I would say that its a battle between good and evil, a battle that has always and will always be part of the scope of humanity. Richard embodies all that is evil, and the good is put down until the final act. Evil exists in humanity, yet someone good has to come along and extinguish it. Look at Richards speech in Act one Scene I, that begins, "And therefore, since I cannot prove a lover, To entertain these fair well-spoken days, I am...

What are some meanings of the play in a great scope of humanity?

Wed, 28 Mar 2007 22:22:47 PST

looking at the play from a different perspecitive, humanity.

1. What do you notice about the relationship in these scenes: Richard...

Sun, 18 Mar 2007 07:49:43 PST

1. What do you notice about the relationship in these scenes: Richard III, Act III, scene iv (l 58-end), Act III, scene v, and Act IV, scene ii?

In the play Richard III why do you think Edward blames those who did not...

Sun, 25 Feb 2007 07:22:14 PST

In the play Richard III why do you think Edward blames those who did not ask for mercy on Clarences behalf?

There are several female characters, but Margaret is one I would like to...

Mon, 19 Feb 2007 10:42:42 PST

There are several female characters, but Margaret is one I would like to discuss specifically. Elements of her character can be seen in the others, although they all add to the play. Margaret represents all of those who have been victimized by Richard's power. She is the voice for all those who wish they can say the things she is saying. Margaret's character is also illustrating the typical role women have in that society. Her husband's...

What do the female characters in Richard III contribute to the play?

Sat, 17 Feb 2007 10:18:06 PST

What do the female characters in Richard III contribute to the play?