Jacob Abbott's Richard III: An Analysis
Shakespeare portrayed John of Gaunt and King Richard III the way he did because of the political issues and constraints presented to him during his time period. When writing Queen Margaret of Anjou’s role in Richard III, however, Shakespeare degraded her political influence and public figure because of the social norms and superstitions that confined women under during the Elizabethan era. Yet, according to modern-day historian Jacob Abbott, there was more to Margaret than Shakespeare told his readers. Abbott defends the Queen and says, “Margaret was not a victim, but a heroine; not a traditional heroine of romance and fiction, but of a stern and terrible reality” (Abbott).
Abbott defends his position and points out how, during the War of
Abbott defends his position and points out how, during the War of