Rusaro Nyinawumwami
ENG 331H1S
Prof. Matthew Sergi
February 17, 2014
Critical Analysis/Response
Upon finally acquiring the British crown, Richard III’s ambitious nature transitions to an heir of forced overconfidence, which ultimately led to his downfall. This is explicitly depicted in his verbal duel with Queen Elizabeth in Act VI, Scene 4. Along with maintaining a mocking tone, she destabilized Richard by interrupting him throughout the passage. He was seldom able to complete a thought during his deliberation with the Queen, revealing glimpses of his eventual uncertainty. However, I argue that Elizabeth did not necessarily dupe Richard.
In “What were I best to say?” Hasty Curses and Morean Deliberation in Richard III, Andrew Moran argues that though the Queen did not end their conversation with a definitive no to Richard’s plea, she did not necessarily display approval either. I agree that he was overconfident following his consecutive victories but a streak of successful massacres provided Elizabeth with reason to fear Richard. Moran argues that Queen Elizabeth was not fooled by Richard and that her only concern was to protect her daughter from his malice. Though I acknowledge that Elizabeth was concerned for her daughter’s safety, I would argue that though she does interrupt Richard, she chooses to let him elaborate twice during their deliberation, from line 291 to 336 and from line 397 to 417. During each instance, Richard was provided with the opportunity to paraphrase the very response that initially fooled Anne. Elizabeth lending her ear to a lie that once worked at the dawn of his tyranny is evidence that despite her disgust she still feared him and his capabilities, which further confirmed Richard’s power.
I agree that Richard III’s consecutive victories have led to overconfidence and his verbal duel with Queen Elizabeth is a display of his confidence overpowering his intellect. He tries to convince Queen Elizabeth that he can woo her daughter the same way he wooed Anne, by claiming that his acts of massacre and evil were simply a way of removing all the possible obstacles in their way and acquiring her love. It is almost as if Richard is returning back to Act I, Scene 2, where he is fresh from killing his brother Prince Edward and asking Lady Anne for her hand in marriage. Moran argues that because Richard is repeating his initial plan almost verbatim and because his list of dishonest and horrific acts has become lengthier since the beginning of the play, Elizabeth is not convinced (Moran 148). However, I would argue that Shakespeare is displaying Richard’s effective technique of manipulation one last time.
Moran notes that Queen Elizabeth’s deliberative speech reveals Richard’s fate and the play’s resolution (Moran 147). Elizabeth interrupting him six times during their conversation can potentially be a jab to the perceived influence that Richard believes he has however, I do not consider this reason enough to assume that she rejects Richard’s proposal. Based on the moments that Elizabeth chooses to cut off Richard in Act IV, Scene 4, her interruptions can potentially be fuelled by her distain for him, which does not necessarily mean that she is not open to hearing what he has to say. Firstly, Elizabeth only begins interrupting Richard at line 366 when he explains how he will maneuver around explaining his false incentive for killing her sons. She interrupts him again after he says, “I swear —” (4.4.368), implying that Richard’s word holds no weight due to his treacherous nature. Elizabeth then challenges Richard to swear by something or someone that he has not wronged (4.4.372-73) to whom he retorts with himself, the world, his father’s death and God (4.4.374-80). Elizabeth is not convinced by these answers and grows frustrated with Richard because in trying to display honesty, he only succeeds in reminding her that he is guilty of doing wrong to everyone. I would argue that Elizabeth’s frustration swells during their deliberation because Richard is trying to convey honesty when she perceives him as a dishonest and vile human being.
That being said, it is important to note that Elizabeth does not interrupt Richard when he initially introduces his plan to marry her daughter meaning that Elizabeth does provide Richard with an opportunity to convince her, no matter how hostile she may seem. The fact that she agrees to entertain Richard is shocking when earlier in Scene 4 she is cursing him for the murders he masterminded while she voices her distain with Queen Margaret and the Duchess of York (4.4.79-117). Elizabeth willing to listen to Richard could be explained by her initial optimism regarding her family’s relationship with him; declaring in Act I that she wishes “all were well” between her family and Richard (1.3.40). This early display of optimism regarding Richard reveals Elizabeth’s kindness as well as her desire for everyone to coexist and for conflicts to cease between and within the families. She enters the play stating that she has faith in someone who is already considered evil by some, which not only reveals Elizabeth’s virtuous reputation but also her naiveté. Her naiveté can potentially mean that if Richard convinces her that he will be an honest husband, then she will in turn hope that their marriage will end the disputes between her family and Richard.
I would suggest that the last of Richard’s power depends on him being feared, and his conversation with Elizabeth is his last chance to exercise his trickery yet again in order to obtain the crown. I would argue that Shakespeare is acknowledging that Richard was still feared, because Elizabeth did not explicitly turn down his plea. Moran declares that why Elizabeth would not allow herself to be fooled by Richard is because she was concerned for her daughter’s safety if she were to marry such a dangerous man (Moran 147). I agree that Elizabeth was concerned for her daughter’s safety but I would suggest that she also feared what Richard would do if his plan was not executed as he had hoped. Richard killed her sons therefore Elizabeth has every right to worry about Richard killing Richmond as well as her daughter if he convinces himself that their union stripped him of the British throne. However, because of Richard’s eventual downfall, I would argue that Shakespeare is also touching on the fact that perhaps to solely be feared is not enough to secure the throne. This is depicted through a difference in the nature of Richard’s conversation with Lady Anne versus his conversation with Queen Elizabeth; more specifically the fact that he directly spoke to Lady Anne and she agreed to marry him whereas when asking for young Elizabeth’s hand, he did not propose to her nor did he receive a definite answer.
Moran suggests that Elizabeth’s entire speech from line 337 to line 342 can be read sardonically as mocking Richard’s arrogance for claiming that he will make amends with his sister-in-law after killing her sons by marrying her daughter (Moran 148). Though I do agree that Shakespeare is exaggerating Richard’s arrogance through their deliberation, I also think that Elizabeth not responding to Richard with a definite ‘no’ despite his arrogance is allowing the audience to consider the possibility of Richard’s trickery and deceitfulness leading him to the throne. Both the audience and Elizabeth are aware of Richard’s deceptive tendencies yet, despite the massacres he has committed, he may still have a chance of prevailing.
Shakespeare, William, Peter Holland, and Stephen Orgel. The Tragedy of King Richard the Third. New York, NY: Penguin, 2000. Print.
ENG 331H1S
Prof. Matthew Sergi
February 17, 2014
Critical Analysis/Response
On whether Richard III successfully duped Queen Elizabeth
In “What were I best to say?” Hasty Curses and Morean Deliberation in Richard III, Andrew Moran argues that though the Queen did not end their conversation with a definitive no to Richard’s plea, she did not necessarily display approval either. I agree that he was overconfident following his consecutive victories but a streak of successful massacres provided Elizabeth with reason to fear Richard. Moran argues that Queen Elizabeth was not fooled by Richard and that her only concern was to protect her daughter from his malice. Though I acknowledge that Elizabeth was concerned for her daughter’s safety, I would argue that though she does interrupt Richard, she chooses to let him elaborate twice during their deliberation, from line 291 to 336 and from line 397 to 417. During each instance, Richard was provided with the opportunity to paraphrase the very response that initially fooled Anne. Elizabeth lending her ear to a lie that once worked at the dawn of his tyranny is evidence that despite her disgust she still feared him and his capabilities, which further confirmed Richard’s power.
I agree that Richard III’s consecutive victories have led to overconfidence and his verbal duel with Queen Elizabeth is a display of his confidence overpowering his intellect. He tries to convince Queen Elizabeth that he can woo her daughter the same way he wooed Anne, by claiming that his acts of massacre and evil were simply a way of removing all the possible obstacles in their way and acquiring her love. It is almost as if Richard is returning back to Act I, Scene 2, where he is fresh from killing his brother Prince Edward and asking Lady Anne for her hand in marriage. Moran argues that because Richard is repeating his initial plan almost verbatim and because his list of dishonest and horrific acts has become lengthier since the beginning of the play, Elizabeth is not convinced (Moran 148). However, I would argue that Shakespeare is displaying Richard’s effective technique of manipulation one last time.
Moran notes that Queen Elizabeth’s deliberative speech reveals Richard’s fate and the play’s resolution (Moran 147). Elizabeth interrupting him six times during their conversation can potentially be a jab to the perceived influence that Richard believes he has however, I do not consider this reason enough to assume that she rejects Richard’s proposal. Based on the moments that Elizabeth chooses to cut off Richard in Act IV, Scene 4, her interruptions can potentially be fuelled by her distain for him, which does not necessarily mean that she is not open to hearing what he has to say. Firstly, Elizabeth only begins interrupting Richard at line 366 when he explains how he will maneuver around explaining his false incentive for killing her sons. She interrupts him again after he says, “I swear —” (4.4.368), implying that Richard’s word holds no weight due to his treacherous nature. Elizabeth then challenges Richard to swear by something or someone that he has not wronged (4.4.372-73) to whom he retorts with himself, the world, his father’s death and God (4.4.374-80). Elizabeth is not convinced by these answers and grows frustrated with Richard because in trying to display honesty, he only succeeds in reminding her that he is guilty of doing wrong to everyone. I would argue that Elizabeth’s frustration swells during their deliberation because Richard is trying to convey honesty when she perceives him as a dishonest and vile human being.
That being said, it is important to note that Elizabeth does not interrupt Richard when he initially introduces his plan to marry her daughter meaning that Elizabeth does provide Richard with an opportunity to convince her, no matter how hostile she may seem. The fact that she agrees to entertain Richard is shocking when earlier in Scene 4 she is cursing him for the murders he masterminded while she voices her distain with Queen Margaret and the Duchess of York (4.4.79-117). Elizabeth willing to listen to Richard could be explained by her initial optimism regarding her family’s relationship with him; declaring in Act I that she wishes “all were well” between her family and Richard (1.3.40). This early display of optimism regarding Richard reveals Elizabeth’s kindness as well as her desire for everyone to coexist and for conflicts to cease between and within the families. She enters the play stating that she has faith in someone who is already considered evil by some, which not only reveals Elizabeth’s virtuous reputation but also her naiveté. Her naiveté can potentially mean that if Richard convinces her that he will be an honest husband, then she will in turn hope that their marriage will end the disputes between her family and Richard.
I would suggest that the last of Richard’s power depends on him being feared, and his conversation with Elizabeth is his last chance to exercise his trickery yet again in order to obtain the crown. I would argue that Shakespeare is acknowledging that Richard was still feared, because Elizabeth did not explicitly turn down his plea. Moran declares that why Elizabeth would not allow herself to be fooled by Richard is because she was concerned for her daughter’s safety if she were to marry such a dangerous man (Moran 147). I agree that Elizabeth was concerned for her daughter’s safety but I would suggest that she also feared what Richard would do if his plan was not executed as he had hoped. Richard killed her sons therefore Elizabeth has every right to worry about Richard killing Richmond as well as her daughter if he convinces himself that their union stripped him of the British throne. However, because of Richard’s eventual downfall, I would argue that Shakespeare is also touching on the fact that perhaps to solely be feared is not enough to secure the throne. This is depicted through a difference in the nature of Richard’s conversation with Lady Anne versus his conversation with Queen Elizabeth; more specifically the fact that he directly spoke to Lady Anne and she agreed to marry him whereas when asking for young Elizabeth’s hand, he did not propose to her nor did he receive a definite answer.
Moran suggests that Elizabeth’s entire speech from line 337 to line 342 can be read sardonically as mocking Richard’s arrogance for claiming that he will make amends with his sister-in-law after killing her sons by marrying her daughter (Moran 148). Though I do agree that Shakespeare is exaggerating Richard’s arrogance through their deliberation, I also think that Elizabeth not responding to Richard with a definite ‘no’ despite his arrogance is allowing the audience to consider the possibility of Richard’s trickery and deceitfulness leading him to the throne. Both the audience and Elizabeth are aware of Richard’s deceptive tendencies yet, despite the massacres he has committed, he may still have a chance of prevailing.
Works Cited
Moran, Andrew. "“What Were I Best to Say?”: Hasty Curses and Morean Deliberation in Richard III." AMICI THOMAE MORI Society - Moreana Publications 48.183/184 (2011): 145-61. Print.Shakespeare, William, Peter Holland, and Stephen Orgel. The Tragedy of King Richard the Third. New York, NY: Penguin, 2000. Print.
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