To what entend is the behaviour of Richard III due to dysfunctional family relationship?
Richard III dominates the play. The first three acts reveal a character who is self-centred, irreligious, ruthless, vindictive, cruel, hypocritical, blasphemous and lacking any moral scruples in his eager search for power. He possesses a ferocious intellect, has vast reserves of energy, and delights in concealing his secret and evil plans.
In his opening speech Richard tells us he is "determined to prove a villain." This is pretty straightforward. Richard is announcing that he has made a decision and is committed to being bad. Richard’s line, ‘I am determined to prove a villain’ foreshadows Shakespeare’s intent for the whole play.
The Yorks have just regained the throne with Edward IV's coronation. “Now is the winter of our discontent made glorious summer by this son of York” Richard announces his plan to set his brothers against each other. Richard informs us in the first scene that things have swung round to his family's side, but we immediately learn that he does not value family, as he plans to drive a wedge between his two brothers, Edward and Clarence. “To set my brother Clarence and the king in deadly hate the one against the other”
To accomplish this, he has told his brother, Edward IV, about a prophecy, which says that someone with a name beginning with the letter “G” will murder Edward’s heirs. “A prophecy which says that ‘G’ of Edward’s heirs the murder shall be” This statement works since his name is George, Duke of Clarence. Accordingly, Edward has Clarence sent to the Tower.
We also learn a lot about Richard's character: not only is he responsible for having Clarence imprisoned, but he is incredibly two-faced, letting Clarence believe he will support him in this time of need. “Well, your emprisonment shall not be long. I will deliver you or else lie for you” We know he seems pretty ruthless, likely to do anything necessary to reach his goals.
However this is not enough, Richard is far removed from the throne. Before he can have a legitimate
In his opening speech Richard tells us he is "determined to prove a villain." This is pretty straightforward. Richard is announcing that he has made a decision and is committed to being bad. Richard’s line, ‘I am determined to prove a villain’ foreshadows Shakespeare’s intent for the whole play.
The Yorks have just regained the throne with Edward IV's coronation. “Now is the winter of our discontent made glorious summer by this son of York” Richard announces his plan to set his brothers against each other. Richard informs us in the first scene that things have swung round to his family's side, but we immediately learn that he does not value family, as he plans to drive a wedge between his two brothers, Edward and Clarence. “To set my brother Clarence and the king in deadly hate the one against the other”
To accomplish this, he has told his brother, Edward IV, about a prophecy, which says that someone with a name beginning with the letter “G” will murder Edward’s heirs. “A prophecy which says that ‘G’ of Edward’s heirs the murder shall be” This statement works since his name is George, Duke of Clarence. Accordingly, Edward has Clarence sent to the Tower.
We also learn a lot about Richard's character: not only is he responsible for having Clarence imprisoned, but he is incredibly two-faced, letting Clarence believe he will support him in this time of need. “Well, your emprisonment shall not be long. I will deliver you or else lie for you” We know he seems pretty ruthless, likely to do anything necessary to reach his goals.
However this is not enough, Richard is far removed from the throne. Before he can have a legitimate