Chaps. 6-8 Summary and Analysis

Richard III

pp. 64-73

The author admits that Richard III is a successful, popular play, though he still sees the strong influence of Marlowe on it. Richard III is an overwhelming character, who is also a parody of himself. He is so evil that it is almost a joke. The author is most overwhelmed by the spectacle in which Richard seduces Lady Anne after killing her father and husband. The author is unsatisfied by the lack of inner dialogue and a self-critical self in the mind of Richard. Thus, Richard as a villain does not reach the heights of Shakespeare villains like Iago in Othello, and Macbeth in the play of the same name. The author thinks that at the end of the play where Richard loses his battles, the play is quite disorganized. Ironically, Richard III says some...