Richard III Literary Devices
Richard III Essay
The story of Richard III tells the tale of one of history’s most tyrannous kings who stopped at nothing to claim the throne. Set in colonial England, it’s a powerful story that is still relevant today of betrayal, honor, and the nature of man. It is also masterfully written, as Shakespeare uses language to depict imagery and provoke thoughts. Shakespeare uses literary devices to illustrate Richard’s tyrannous character in act 4 when Elizabeth and Margaret are grieving over their losses that Richard is responsible for and when he sends Tyrell to kill the princes in the tower.
In scene 4, Shakespeare uses an animal motif and a wheel of fortune motif to convey Richard’s personality. Elizabeth and Margaret are
having an emotional conversation about their lost loved ones whom Richard killed. Margaret proceeds to call Richard a “hellhound that doth hunt us all to death” (Act IV.4.50-51). Although Richard is human, his behavior can be rather animalistic. In this sense, Shakespeare made the comparison between his unmerciless killing to that of a hellhound. In the same scene, with Margaret and Elizabeth, Margaret remarks about how the times have changed, saying “so now prosperity begins to mellow and drop into the rotten mouth of death” (Act IV.4.1-2). Perhaps one of the most famous soliloquies was Richard’s at the beginning of the book, in which he admits his amorality to the audience. This quote from Margaret links back to that and shows the dramatic turn of events.
In scenes 3 and 4, Shakespeare uses anaphora and stichomythia to depict Richard’s character. After sending Tyrell to kill the princes in the tower, Tyrell delivers the news to Richard. Tyrell is obviously shaken up about it when he says “the tyrannous and bloody act is done. The most arched deed of piteous massacre” (Act IV.3.1-2). Initially, Richard sends Buckingham to do the deed, but after showing hesitation, he hired Tyrell. Now that he has claimed the throne, Richard intends to keep it, even at the expense of the lives of children. Later, after the death of Elizabeth’s sons, she takes the matter up with Richard and is obviously very angry and volatile. They argue back and forth and Richard overall doesn’t seem too concerned about how his actions affect others. Richard adds “all unavoided is the doom of destiny” (Act IV.4.219). meaning that the princes were destined to live a bad life so might as well just spare them from it now.
Shakespeare’s portrayal of Richard III makes him one of the worst villains but in the best - most memorable - way. Through pages filled with sly manipulation, treachery, and plenty of literary devices, we learn that Richard’s physical deformity was just as warped as his immoral nature.
The story of Richard III tells the tale of one of history’s most tyrannous kings who stopped at nothing to claim the throne. Set in colonial England, it’s a powerful story that is still relevant today of betrayal, honor, and the nature of man. It is also masterfully written, as Shakespeare uses language to depict imagery and provoke thoughts. Shakespeare uses literary devices to illustrate Richard’s tyrannous character in act 4 when Elizabeth and Margaret are grieving over their losses that Richard is responsible for and when he sends Tyrell to kill the princes in the tower.
In scene 4, Shakespeare uses an animal motif and a wheel of fortune motif to convey Richard’s personality. Elizabeth and Margaret are
having an emotional conversation about their lost loved ones whom Richard killed. Margaret proceeds to call Richard a “hellhound that doth hunt us all to death” (Act IV.4.50-51). Although Richard is human, his behavior can be rather animalistic. In this sense, Shakespeare made the comparison between his unmerciless killing to that of a hellhound. In the same scene, with Margaret and Elizabeth, Margaret remarks about how the times have changed, saying “so now prosperity begins to mellow and drop into the rotten mouth of death” (Act IV.4.1-2). Perhaps one of the most famous soliloquies was Richard’s at the beginning of the book, in which he admits his amorality to the audience. This quote from Margaret links back to that and shows the dramatic turn of events.
In scenes 3 and 4, Shakespeare uses anaphora and stichomythia to depict Richard’s character. After sending Tyrell to kill the princes in the tower, Tyrell delivers the news to Richard. Tyrell is obviously shaken up about it when he says “the tyrannous and bloody act is done. The most arched deed of piteous massacre” (Act IV.3.1-2). Initially, Richard sends Buckingham to do the deed, but after showing hesitation, he hired Tyrell. Now that he has claimed the throne, Richard intends to keep it, even at the expense of the lives of children. Later, after the death of Elizabeth’s sons, she takes the matter up with Richard and is obviously very angry and volatile. They argue back and forth and Richard overall doesn’t seem too concerned about how his actions affect others. Richard adds “all unavoided is the doom of destiny” (Act IV.4.219). meaning that the princes were destined to live a bad life so might as well just spare them from it now.
Shakespeare’s portrayal of Richard III makes him one of the worst villains but in the best - most memorable - way. Through pages filled with sly manipulation, treachery, and plenty of literary devices, we learn that Richard’s physical deformity was just as warped as his immoral nature.