BLACKBOARD PRESENTATION

Political Power and Manipulation

Richard iii and Hamlet

Isabella Vasquez

Time Periods

Richard III

Hamlet

• Written around 1592-93
• Takes place towards the end of the War of the Roses
• London

• Written around 1599-1601
• Takes place between 1574-1585
• Denmark

Influences and Historical Context

Influences and Historical Context

Richard III

• Wars of the Roses
• House of York and House of Lancaster
• Richard III's Role in the Wars
• Fought along side his brother King Edward V
• Forcfully taking the Crown
• In 1485 Richard claimed the throne
• Battle of Bosworth Field
• 1485
• Richard is killed ending the war

“Wars of the Roses.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 3 Dec. 2023, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wars_of_the_Roses#Richard_III_reign_and_defeat_by_Lancastrians_(1483%E2%80%931485).

Richard III's Influences

Richard III

• Political Relevence
• To reinforce the legitimacy of the Tudor dynasty by depicting Richard III, the last Yorkist king, as the villian.
• Morality
• The complexities of leadership, the abuse of power, and the moral consequences of unchecked ambition.
• Popular Appeal
• Historical dramas were very popular during the Elizabethan era and the Wars of the Roses provided a backdrop for the play.

Dunton-Downer, Leslie, and Alan Riding. Essential Shakespeare Handbook. DK Pub., 2013. “Richard III (Play).” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 26 Nov. 2023, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_III_(play)#Themes.

Influences and Historical Context Cont.

Hamlet

• Based off a Norse legend
• Political Uncertainty
• Concerns about succession
• The play reflects a sense of political instability and its potential consequences.
• Protastent Reformation
• The Protestant Reformation, which began in the early 16th century, had a profound impact on England.
• Contains religious themes and references on the religious tensions of the time.
• Revenge Tragedy
• The play draws on earlier revenge tragedies, both English and continental, but Shakespeare adds complexity and depth to the genre through the psychological intricacies of Hamlet's character.

Hamlet portrayed by Edwin Booth (c. 1870)

“Hamlet.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 29 Nov. 2023, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hamlet#Sources. Bloom, Harold. Shakespeare: The Invention of the Human. Riverhead Books, 2005.

Critics

Criticisms

Richard III

Hamlet

• Harold Bloom:

• Perspective: Bloom, in his book "Shakespeare: Focuses on Richard's character as a precursor to Shakespeare's later characters like Macbeth and Hamlet.

• Relevance to Shakespeare's Intentions: There's a self-awareness to his villainy that aligns with the idea that Shakespeare was intentional in crafting a multifaceted and intriguing antagonist.

• Coleridge's Interpretation:
• Perspective: Coleridge praised the play's psychological depth and Hamlet's complex character. He emphasized the play's exploration of Hamlet's internal struggles and moral dilemmas, considering it a profound exploration of the human psyche.

• Relevance to Shakespeare's Intentions: Coleridge's interpretation aligns with the idea that Shakespeare intended to create a character study delving into the intricacies of human nature and existential questions.

Bloom, Harold. Shakespeare: The Invention of the Human. Riverhead Books, 2005. Coleridge, Samuel. Samuel Taylor Coleridge, Excerpt from “Lecture on Hamlet” (1818), sites.broadviewpress.com/lessons/DramaAnthology/ColeridgeOnHamlet/ColeridgeOnHamlet_print.html. Accessed 5 Dec. 2023.

Environmental Factors

Environmental Factors

Richard III

Hamlet

• Societal Levels:
• The focus is on the nobility and the court.

• Political or Religious Backgrounds:
• The play is heavily political, depicting the ruthless pursuit of power by Richard III. The Wars of the Roses provide a historical-political context.

• Mores and Their Impact on Characters:
• The impact of unchecked ambition.
• Characters engage in political plots and betrayals.
• Political Loyalties:
• Characters navigate complex political alliances and loyalty to one's house is a significant aspect. Richard's manipulation and betrayal challenge traditional mores.

• Societal Levels:
• The focus is primarily on the royal court.

• Political or Religious Backgrounds:
• The play is deeply political involving power struggles within the royal family.
• Discussions of the afterlife and moral dilemmas. Hamlet's contemplation of mortality is influenced by religious beliefs.

• Mores and Their Impact on Characters:
• Characters adhere to notions of loyalty, duty, and obedience to the monarchy.

• Moral Codes:
• Hamlet's internal conflict, driven by his sense of justice and morality, is a central theme.

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Dialogue

Dialogue

Richard III

Hamlet

• Repetition:
• In Act 1, Scene 2, Hamlet delivers his first soliloquy, expressing his grief and disillusionment with the world following his father's death and his mother's quick remarriage. The repetition of "seems" emphasizes Hamlet's internal conflict.

• Symbolism:

• The play within a play in Act 3, Scene 2 serves as a symbolic reflection of the deceit and murder in the court. The language used in the play is carefully chosen to parallel the main narrative.

• Verse Form and Imagery:

• Throughout the play, Richard uses emtion to manipulate others. In Act 1, Scene 2, he repreatedly calls Anne beautiful for the sole purpose of manipulating her.
• Symbolism:

• Richard's dream in Act 5, Scene 3, is filled with symbolic imagery, representing his guilty conscience. The ghosts of those he has wronged haunt him, underscoring the consequences of his actions.

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Complexity of Action

Complexity of Action

Richard III

Hamlet

• Multiplicity of Incidents:
• The play follows Richard's rise to power through manipulation and deceit, political conspiracies, battles, and personal vendettas.
• Unity of Action:

• Centers around Richard's ruthless pursuit of the throne and the consequences of his actions. The play is structured around the central character's plot to power and the impact on those around him.
• Political Intrigue:
• Political intrigue is a prominent aspect of the play, with characters engaging in conspiracies and power struggles. The Wars of the Roses provide a historical backdrop, adding complexity to the political dynamics.

• Multiplicity of Incidents:
• The narrative involves a multitude of incidents, including the murder of King Hamlet, Hamlet's feigned madness, the play-within-a-play, various subplots, and a series of tragic events.
• Unity of Action:
• There are numerous subplots and side stories involving other characters. The political intrigue within the court, Ophelia's tragic arc, and Fortinbras' military campaign add layers of complexity.

• Interconnected Characters:
• The actions of one character often have ripple effects on others. The interconnectedness of characters and their fates contributes to the overall complexity of the play.

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Shakespeafre's Intentions

Shakespeafre's intentions

Human Nature

social commentary

Many of Shakespeare's characters serve as vehicles for social commentary. By depicting characters from various social classes and backgrounds, he comments on the societal norms, hierarchies, and power structures of his time.

Shakespeare seems to be interested in the complexities of human nature. His characters grapple with universal themes such as love, power, jealousy, ambition, and morality. By exploring these themes through a diverse cast of characters, Shakespeare provides insights into the human condition.

Comparison

Comparison

• Power
• Richard III: Richard's ascent to power results in a destabilized political landscape, emphasizing the consequences of unchecked ambition.
• Hamlet: Claudius's rise to power through murder serves as a central theme, exploring the corrupting nature of unchecked ambition.
• Morality
• Richard III: Richard's character embodies moral ambiguity, challenging traditional notions of virtue and morality.
• Hamlet: Hamlet struggles with profound moral dilemmas, including the ethics of revenge and the consequences of his actions.
• Familial Betrayal
• Richard III: Richard orchestrates the betrayal and destruction of his own family members, including his brothers.
• Hamlet: Hamlet's sense of betrayal is centered on his mother's hasty remarriage to Claudius after his father's death.
• Deception
• Richard III: Richard's manipulative nature and his ability to deceive those around him are central to the plot.
• Hamlet: Hamlet's feigned madness raises questions about the nature of sanity and the use of deception as a strategy.

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