By William Shakespeare

Richard the character The language of the play Structure Themes Motifs Other aspects: the role of women, other

characters…

Introduction Almost all of Richard III is in blank verse Much of the play's action is built on clever

wordplay between characters. Shakespeare uses figurative language, like

metaphor and simile, to help provide powerful descriptions.

A key persuasive technique used by Richard to manipulate the other characters is his ability to employ a twisted logic to situations.

Rhyme is used to give a sense of finality e.g.

The poetry is leisurely and cumulative because of the patterning and repetitione.g Clarence’s dreame.g. Edward’s lament

There is a variety of styles, from the patterned to the colloquial.

rhetorical devices in the play  Verbal patterning eg King Edward after

Clarence’s death, and the Duchess of York, Qu Elizabeth and the children in 2:2:71-85 

Often a number of people contribute to the pattern and it therefore seems independent of any speaker: introduces an impersonal note. 

The ritualistic nature of Margaret’s curses makes them seem more than personal/human. (find examples. Why are they written like this/)

Stichomythia – depends on some variety of verbal or structural repetition – words or phrases linked, phrase balanced against phrase, line against line, speech against speech. Find examples.

The Power of Language  Language is important in achieving political

power Language may not always be a necessary

instrument of power, but for Richard, it is a crucial weapon.

His extraordinary skill with words enables him to manipulate, confuse, and control those around him:woo Lady Anne, have Clarence thrown in prison, keep the Woodvilles off his track, blame the king for Clarence’s death, and achieve Hastings’s execution, all at very little risk to himself.

Richard often uses simple, unpatterned language e.g.:

When he does use patterns, it is associated with acting, e.g. (1.2)or for satiric purposes, e.g. (1:3:80, 97)

He can destroy the patterns of others eg (1:3:231)

Richard controls language in other ways:inverting initial feet (e.g. with Anne)using a caesuraothers?

In the dream sequence, the ghosts establish repetition and pattern (showing that they come from God). Richard’s speech is broken and fragmented – that of an individual. When he starts reflecting on sin or conscience, his words become patterned – reflecting the link with God. e.g..

Breaks in meter within a line emphasise his internal contradictions: there is a halting, choppy rhythm in this speech (e.g.)almost half the sentences are questions (e.g.)