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

Gifted with the darkest attributes intertwined in his imperfect characteristics, Shakespeares Richard lead displays his anti-hero traits afflicted with thorns of villains Plots have I laid, inductions dangerous / By drunken prophecies, libels, and dreams (I.i.32-33). Richard possesses the high-mindedness and ambition of a heroic figure that is destined to great achievements and bureau however, as one who believes that the end justifies the means, Richard rejects moral value and custom as he is willing to do anything 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 ethics to take revenge on the human society that alienates him and centering his life on self-advancement towards kingship, Richard is the literary exemplification of an anti-hero. Richar ds 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 deuce of indiscipline and rebellion. He sees virtues as contrary to his power-thirsty nature and aim, which emphasizes his pathological assurance and lack of hremorse. With his charisma, he woos Lady Anne in order to disempower her, revealing his dissolve towards the seriousnesss of murder and respect for women What though I killed her husband and her father? (I.i.156). Richard shows his default 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 make headway 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 in conclusion declares a war between himself and the world. By a chieving goals for the mere sake of self-advancement, a self-made hero, an ambitious king, and an atrocious villain were created. Richard assumes that love forms a cleave which men can break, but fear is supported by the disquietude of ever-present pain (Machiavelli ch. XXIV) thus, for true success the hero must be a villain too. Richard III becomes one of literatures most recognized anti-heroes under the hands of Shakespeare as he has no object lens or thought to take up any other occupation than the art of hatred however, ironically being a representative of a heroic ruler sent by God, he is made to give murder to redeem society of their sins.