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Dione Mahan Tricia George Literature 319/Shakespeare 20 June 2013 Tragic Life Richards mind is as twisted as his body; he recognizes his physical deformity and as a consequence understands he is an unlovable outcast and becomes a criminal. Richard the III is not a typical tragedy, the main character is not a hero with a flawed disposition but rather a once potential hero with physical defects that have warped his mind. Shakespeare has portrayed Richard the III as a murdering villain and yet the details in The Tragedy of Richard the III provide indications of a loveless life thus affording examples of lost potential. Richard becomes what he hates most, a loveless, abnormal individual fully aware of his own debauchery. The tragedy is not a mislead hero or flawed hero but an individual denied simple human kindness because of his outward appearance; Richard cannot escape the prison his body has created. Entrapped in a physically distorted body Richard displays deep psychological insight that permits the reader to comprehend his emotional instability. The lost potential as a decent human is initially apparent in the opening scene; Richards reflection on his image and lack of love sets the tone for the entire play, But I, that am not shaped for sportive tricks, Nor made to court an amorous looking-glass; I, that am rudely stamp'd, and want love's majesty (Shakespeare, 1.1.1416). Richard recognizes the handicap his deformity has created, cheated of feature by dissembling nature (Shakespeare, 1.1.20). Richard in this statement indicates his physical form has masked his inner form and cheated him of a normal life. The desire for a normal life and love permeates the first act and displays the despair Richard feels and the other characters acerbate

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the problem with reminders of his faults. The women surrounding Richard are the most emotionally detrimental to his mind and in their anger they continually remind Richard of his physical flaws that have created an evil mind. The one person most children can depend on is a parent and yet Richards mother rues the day he was born, A cockatrice hast thou hatch'd to the world, Whose unavoided eye is murderous. 4.1.58-59). Margaret refers to Richard as his mothers abortive get and better to have been still birthed than become a slave to nature (Shakespeare, 1.3.242). Margaret attributes correctly Richards nature to his unfinished appearance and yet Shakespeare includes a spark of hope in the courting of Anne. Anne initially detests Richard and initially refers to him as a fouler toad that hurts her eyes (Shakespeare, 1.2.161). Anne then foolishly believes Richard has repented and agrees to marry him. Richard is quite shocked by her acceptance and remarks, Upon my life, she finds, although I cannot, Myself to be a marvellous proper man (Shakespeare, 1.2.7475). This small nugget of affection and trust granted by Anne permits Richard feel accepted yet this moment is a fleeting spark of renewal for Richard. The need for power forces Richard back into his nature and he throws away the love he could have had in a scheme to cement his position. Richard allows his deformity to become a crutch for his misdeeds and yet maintains a self-loathing that cannot be overcome. Denied love and affection from birth he becomes obsessed with all he has been denied, love and power. The tragedy occurs not in Richards death that is a relief but in his debauchery caused by the abhorrent nature of his birth and subsequent lost potential. Shakespeare ultimately has supplied enough agony to feel sorrow for Richards life as a half made up man (Shakespeare, 1.1.21).

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Works Cited Shakespeare, William. The Tragedy of Richard III Barbara A. Mowat, and Paul Werstine. Washington Square Press New Folger ed. New York: Simon & Schuster Paperbacks, 2010. Print.