Richard III Act III -Questions/Analysis

 

04 May 2005

William Shakespeare

“The Tragedy of King Richard the Third”

 

Act 3

1. 3.2: What role does dream service? Which of our essay might apply here?

 

Stanley’s dream anticipates that Richard will kill him, yet Hastings ignores and disregards it as a foolish dream. In this case, Bacon’s "Idols of the Tribe" might be applied in Hastings’ judgment. Hastings thinks Stanley falls into his perceptions as well as of his sense as of his mind which he fears of Richard. Therefore, Stanley’s false assertion from his dream indicates the "Idols of the Tribe."

 

2. 3.5: How does Richard make a case against Edward’s children? How might Bacon help us understand why Richard is successful?

 

           Richard makes a case against Edward’s children that they are bastards. He creates a false story that Edward’s bestial appetite stretched unto their servants, daughters, wives, so that his mother and insatiate Edward begot York while his father had wars in France. Richard’s plot is well devised using human’s false notions which are indicated in Bacon’s 1) Idols of the Theater, 2) Idols of the Marketplace, and 3) Idols of the Tribe. Richard represents 1) his own creation after an unreal and scenic fashion just like stage-plays which 2) words plainly force and overrule the understanding. Richard’s false story is successful because 3) once people adopt an opinion and then dwell all things to support and agree with it.

 

3. 3.7: How do Buckingham and Richard overcome resistance to Richard’s being crowned? What persuasive techniques are used?

 

           Richard and Buckingham played well by their plan in front of their witness, Mayor and citizens. Richard creates scene that he doesn’t want the throne, yet he accepts it by his citizens entreating.