Richard III: Essay Plan

Topic: To what extent does Shakespeare satirize powerful officials and institutions? Thesis: In his tragedy, Richard III, William Shakespeare consistently scorns powerful individuals and those in high ranks: fickle and arrogant nobles are easily disposed of by Richard, ignorant officials betray their morals and common sense to please the villains, and even the members of the royal family who should be an example to their people prove to be cowardly, timorous, and despicable. Body Paragraph #1: Nobles fall easily, one by one, because of their trust in Richard. 1. Clarence, who had trusted Richard, his brother, is killed. Ironically, he had betrayed his family in the war that took place before Richard III. He was so deceived that before his death, he told his murderers that Richard would cry, should he be killed. 2. Arrogant Hastings was confident that he was close with Richard. Because of his relationship with a married woman as well as his vanity, he is ordered to death by Richard. 3. Buckingham was Richards partner in crime and plotted many deaths with him. However, he hesitated to act on his order to murder two children as a result of his conscience and Richard grew wary of him. He was killed once Richard used him for all he was worth. Body Paragraph #2: Officials who are unaware of Richards plans do all they can to get on his good side. 1. When Hastings is killed, Richard and Buckingham attempt to convince the mayor that Hastings was plotting against them. He quickly believes the villains, and proceeds to tell the citizens that Richard and Buckinghams actions were just. 2. Though a pre-existing law stated that no one should be denied the right of sanctuary, the cardinal forces the young Duke of York out of the holy place. He does this because Buckinghams persuasion. Body Paragraph #3: Members of the royal family do not act like they should. 1. The character who was king in the beginning of the play, Edward, was a bad example to his people. He had a wife, yet went to seek out Jane Shore and even share her with Hastings, nonetheless. As well, Richard does not even try to plot against him (although he is king), as he knows that he will die of natural causes. This makes Edward pale in comparison with the other people of the royal family. 2. Richard, the plays anti-hero, is the plays most tyrannous character. His actions are disagreeable throughout the play. Some examples of unacceptable things that hes done include killing innocent children, his own siblings, and those who trust in him. He is satirized by Shakespeare because of the fact that he does so many immoral things and, in his final moments, states that hed exchange it all for a horse. 3. In the final scenes, Richmond defeats Richard in the war and seizes the crown. He should look like a hero because of this. However, Richard had to kill 5 different Richmond look-alikes. Though the people of England waited for Richard to be overthrown, it seemed as if the new king would not be a valiant leader, but a coward.