A Hero, a King, and a Daemon Essay -- Literary Analysis, Shakespeare

Gifted with the darkest attri barelyes intertwined in his imperfect characteristics, Shakespeares Richard III displays his anti-hero traits disconcert with thorns of villains Plots have I laid, inductions dangerous / By drunken prophecies, libels, and dreams (I.i.32-33). Richard possesses the idealism and ambition of a heroic figure that is destined to great achievements and power however, as angiotensin converting enzyme who believes that the end justifies the means, Richard rejects moral value and tradition as he is willing to do some(prenominal)thing to accomplish his goal to the crown. The society, even his family and closest friends, repudiate him as a deformed outcast. Nevertheless, he cheers for himself as the champion and irredeemable villain by turning entirely to revenge of taking self-served power. By distinguishing virtue ethical motive to take revenge on the human society that alienates him and centering his life on self-advancement to contendds kingship, Richard is t he literary archetype of an anti-hero. Richards disdain for humane beliefs and customs (such as religion, marriage, and family) shows when he treats them as nothing more than empty forms this further labels him as a demon of indiscipline and rebellion. He sees virtues as contrary to his power-thirsty nature and aim, which emphasizes his ghoulish shamelessness and lack of hremorse. With his charisma, he woos Lady Anne in order to disempower her, revealing his disregard towards the seriousnesss of murder and respect for women What though I killed her husband and her father? (I.i.156). Richard shows his neglect towards love and marriage as he becomes her husband not so much for love / but for another secret close intent (I.i.159-160) to benefit himself. In Act IV, Richard prays with ... ... bloody pathway to kingship. Filled with scorn against a society that rejects him and nature that curses him with a weakened body, Richard decides to take revenge and ultimately declares a war b etween himself and the world. By achieving goals for the mere sake of self-advancement, a self- do hero, an ambitious king, and an atrocious villain were created. Richard assumes that love forms a bond which men can break, but fear is supported by the dread of ever-present pain (Machiavelli ch. XXIV) thus, for true success the hero must be a villain too. Richard III becomes one and only(a) of literatures most recognized anti-heroes under the hands of Shakespeare as he has no objective or thought to take up any other profession than the art of hatred however, ironically being a representative of a heroic ruler sent by God, he is made to commit murder to redeem society of their sins.