Analyse How Central Values Portrayed in King Richard Iii Are Creatively Reshaped in Looking for Richard
As time progresses away from the Shakespearean era, the central values of Shakespeare’s King Richard III are steadily losing touch with the modern audience. Throughout Al Pacino’s modern remake of Looking for Richard, many modern cinematic techniques such as the specific use of colours, rearrangement of the original text as well as comparisons made in commentary are heavily included. It is through such cinematic techniques that the modern audience is able to comprehend not only the central values that were significant of that era but also understanding the value of the play itself.
Throughout King Richard III, the value of kingship is one that is explored greatly. The play’s message about kingship is not only seen through Richard’s deceptive schemes but it is also through the fall of his reign where his conscience begins to show, resulting in the destruction of his power. Not only is Richard’s poor kingship seen through his own realization, but it is also seen through other character’s perception of Richard’s reign. Richard’s poor kingship can be seen through Richmond’s expression of Richard as ‘A base foul stone made precious by the foil of England’s chair, where he is falsely set.’ In this quote, Richmond metaphorically describes Richard as nothing more but a worthless rock only made to appear like a gem because of the throne in which falsely claims. It is through this metaphoric description of Richard as a worthless rock that we are able to comprehend what little skills Richard possesses as a king. The highlighting of Richard’s poor kingship not only helps us to comprehend his devious ways but also understand the importance of the value of kingship throughout one’s reign.
The value of kingship is not only explored in King Richard III but is also explored in Looking for Richard. Through such modern cinematic techniques to creatively reshape values, the modern audience is able to comprehend the importance of kingship that was needed in Richard’s reign.
Throughout King Richard III, the value of kingship is one that is explored greatly. The play’s message about kingship is not only seen through Richard’s deceptive schemes but it is also through the fall of his reign where his conscience begins to show, resulting in the destruction of his power. Not only is Richard’s poor kingship seen through his own realization, but it is also seen through other character’s perception of Richard’s reign. Richard’s poor kingship can be seen through Richmond’s expression of Richard as ‘A base foul stone made precious by the foil of England’s chair, where he is falsely set.’ In this quote, Richmond metaphorically describes Richard as nothing more but a worthless rock only made to appear like a gem because of the throne in which falsely claims. It is through this metaphoric description of Richard as a worthless rock that we are able to comprehend what little skills Richard possesses as a king. The highlighting of Richard’s poor kingship not only helps us to comprehend his devious ways but also understand the importance of the value of kingship throughout one’s reign.
The value of kingship is not only explored in King Richard III but is also explored in Looking for Richard. Through such modern cinematic techniques to creatively reshape values, the modern audience is able to comprehend the importance of kingship that was needed in Richard’s reign.