Clarences Speech in William Shakespeares Richard III Essay

Clarences Speech in William Shakespeares Richard III The speech I am going to be examining is from one of Shakespeares plays, Richard III. It is the part of the play where George, Duke of Clarence is explaining a prophetic nightmare he had whilst being locked in the Tower of London. Richard III was a real king of England, but had been killed in battle, around 100 years prior to when Shakespeare wrote this play. At the time of writing, in 1594, the queen was Elizabeth I, a Tudor. One of the Queens ancestors, Henry VII, had killed Richard III on Bosworth Field. Shakespeare, to make sure he was in favour with the Queen, made Richards character into a complete villain, as well as physically†¦show more content†¦This helps to build up drama and create a vivid picture in the minds of those watching the plays. This was especially important in the Elizabethan times, as stages had limited scenery and special effects. The beginning of Clarences speech is full of warnings and phrases that suggest death. He begins his speech telling Brackenbury that, in his dream, he thought he had broken from the Tower and was on a ship to Burgundy with Richard. He says Richard tempted him to walk over the deck. The word tempted is a word often used when talking of the devil as the devil tries to lure people into sin. When Clarence uses this word to describe Richards actions, it is like if Richard is being described as devil-like. He then says that he and Richard looked towards England, and recalled a thousand heavy times, during the wars of York and Lancaster, that had befallen us. A thousand is an exaggeration, but it shows that Clarence is being warned of more bad things to come. This sets the mood of the speech. It is full of warnings and sentences suggesting bad times. Clarence says Methought that Gloucester stumbled, and in falling, struck me. This is a forewarning that Richard is going to cause Clarence to suffer in the future. When Clarence says methought it shows that he is a bit doubtful as to whether it was an accident or not. He thinks that it was an accident when heShow MoreRelatedFilm Review of Richard Loncraines Adaptation of William Shakespeares Richard III1221 Words   |  5 PagesFilm Review of Richard Loncraines Adaptation of William Shakespeares Richard III Civil war divides the nation the first caption we see at the onset of this adaptation of Shakespeares Richard III sets the tone for scenes to come later in the movie. It starts by focusing on Shakespeares underlying tone regarding Richard as somewhat an outlandish character to be mocked and amused by. Enter Richard to stab Edward in his war room at Tewkesbury in his tank. He then fills Edward full ofRead MoreAnalysis of Richard Iiis Winter of Discontent Speech937 Words   |  4 PagesWilliam Shakespeare’s Richard III is a historical play that focuses on one of his most famous and complex villainous characters. Richard III or The Duke of Gloucester, who eventually becomes king, is ambitious, bitter, ugly and deformed. He manipulates and murders his way to the throne and sets the tone for the whole play with his very first speech, which is the opening of the play. Richard opens with the lines â€Å"now is the winter of our discontent made glorious summer by this son of York, andRead MoreThe Household in Richard III and Arden of Faversham: Mosby and the Duke of Gloucesters Struggle for Power2821 Words   |  11 PagesThe â€Å"household† in Richard III and Arden of Faversham: Mosby and the duke of Gloucester’s struggle for power Table of contents 1. Introduction: the concept of household and the overthrown of established authority in the plays Richard III and Arden of Faversham..............................3 2. Reasons to overcome the established power......................................................3 3. Strategies to overthrow the status quo 3.1. Lies and deceit..........................Read MoreLooking for Richard Transcript11989 Words   |  48 PagesLooking For Richard Script - Dialogue Transcript Voila! Finally, the Looking For Richard script is here for all you quotes spouting fans of the Al Pacino movie about the making of Richard III.   This script is a transcript that was painstakingly transcribed using the screenplay and/or viewings of Looking For Richard. I know, I know, I still need to get the cast names in there and Ill be eternally tweaking it, so if you have any corrections, feel free to drop me a line. You wont hurt my feelings