Happiness in Shakespeare’s Tragedy - Richard III

Christina Bezerra
ENG331
Monday, February 17, 2014
Mattew Sergi

Happiness in Shakespeare’s Tragedy

In one of Shakespeare’s most tragic plays, one can find a theme of happiness. Richard III contains more mentions of the word happiness and ideas connected to happiness, than any other tragedies in Shakespeare’s collection (Laam 4).  Though this idea of finding happiness in a play full of murder and tragic endings is unusual, there are always two sides to a tragedy, and the evil characters usually share in happiness. Through Philosophical and Religious approaches we can see the happy attributes that Richard III frequents. Richard the main character in Shakespeare’s play uses his deformity as an asset to his evil personality and often desires for evil outcomes. He feels pleasure from not identifying with the characters around him because disability makes him have one up on all the other characters. In this essay I will be supporting the idea, presented by Kevin Laam in Happiness in Shakespeare, concerning Shakespeare’s manifestation with human happiness as both an affective state and ethical ideal. Richard is an exemplar of virtue for other characters in the play. Richard uses the goodwill of others around him to make them feel bad and thus manipulate them into following along with his plot. The idea of happiness within Richard III is quite interesting because at first glance the reader may see is a tragic play riddled with death and a complicated familial bond, but Laam is correct in his presentation of the underlying themes of happiness within the play rooted deeply in Richard as a family member and ruler.

As a character with a deformity Richard’s crumpled appearance makes him look weak and a target for evil actions towards him. The theme of deformity is central to speaking on any topic regarding Richard III and is quite contrary to the theme of happiness. Through reading the play the reader can easily recognize that masked under his deformity and outer appearance there is ambition and true content for his manipulative actions. Richard’s ambition to have power over the state is the reason for most of the deaths and tragic ending within the play. These ambitions lead towards his sense of happy and in turn make his mischievous behavior acceptable. Although his Kingship ultimately drove him mad, it can be noted that his path to owning the throne was satisfactory for Richard, as he was never visibly affected by deaths that took place throughout the play. In the midst of a celebration in Act 1, Scene 1 Richard contrasts the positive language with his views of his deformity.

But I, that am not shaped for sportive tricks,

Nor made to court an amorous looking-glass;

I, that am rudely stamp'd, and want love's majesty

To strut before a wanton ambling nymph;

I, that am curtail'd of this fair proportion,

Cheated of feature by dissembling nature,

Deformed, unfinish'd, sent before my time

Into this breathing world, scarce half made up,

And that so lamely and unfashionable

That dogs bark at me as I halt by them;…..

And hate the idle pleasures of these days. (1.1.14-31)

Richard feels the need to address his deformity and his knowledge of what people think of him, the speech makes the audience feel bad for Richard, but it is evident that though he didn’t choose his appearance he chose his evil nature. As stated by Laam “lacking the physical attributes that would enable him to participate in the frivolous hedonism that surrounds him, Richard fashions himself as a mutinous force of nature, hell-bent on destroying the very viability of happiness as an ethical paradigm” (Laam 4). Richard has made earth hell for himself and doesn’t fail to show how he truly feels about the way he looks. There is no reason for Richard to be so angry or negative in the first soliloquy, it is his way of setting the tone for his evil motives and actions during the play. By bringing in logical thinker Tzachi Zamir, we can explore how Richard is simply identifying with his appearance and experiences pleasure from this feeling (Laam 4). Whether this is a proper form of dealing with a deformity is the question. Richard does not stray away from commenting on his appearance, but often looks at it as a way to justify his evil actions and connect them to feelings of happiness. Shakespeare uses sarcastic puns and verbal irony which acts as a form of praise. Richard is guilty of both receiving and giving this form of “praise” which adds to the ethical ideals that take place. This praise leads him toward happiness because it has helped in his manipulation of his lover Anne, and the rest of his family.

            Richard knows how to manipulate others very easily, therefore he has no problem exemplifying Christian values, while failing to act as a true Catholic. As seen at the end of Act 3, Richard uses his Catholic morals to manipulate Lord Mayor of London. Though the Lord Mayor is easily swayed, similar to the conspirators in Julius Cesar, Richard adds in language and effects of piety in his persuasion.

My lord, there needs no such apology:

I rather do beseech you pardon me,

Who, earnest in the service of my God,

Neglect the visitation of my friends.

But, leaving this, what is your grace's pleasure? (3.7. 104-108)

This Catholic view can be supported by the views of Aristotle and Thomas Aquinas in Laam’s argument. Both philosophers affirm the belief that, “Happiness is the supreme good, and that it consists in contemplation.” (Laam 6). For Richard, his religious thoughts aid him on his path to the throne and to his view of happiness. Shakespeare shows two sides to Richard’s character, the private and public. Though at times they do intersect, happiness can only be achieved when good thoughts are involved. In Richard’s case his evil thoughts translate in his mind as a way to achieve his true goal and therefore will make him happy. Richard is willing to do anything to take the crown, even use religious symbols.

            Happiness as an ethical ideal and affective state are clearly represented within Richard III. Shakespeare often brings his tragedies to the point of madness which can lead to uncomfortable happiness or laughter, which is also present in the play. The mention of happiness and underpinnings of contentment in Richard’s language show Shakespeare’s manifestation with including this emotion into his tragedy. Richard’s ambition to play the role of a leader led to him to be the happiest he could be with his life. His power to manipulate characters has led him to be satisfied with himself and the role he played as a “tyrannical” character. He even states himself in Act 4 Scene 3 that he is a “jolly thriving wooer”(4.3.43). Though this feeling does not last for long, it should be noted that he is aware of his power and is content being evil, despite his deformity. Richard III explored the aspects of personal happiness within Richard in particularly and the riddled language of Shakespeare. Kevin Laam explored this topic and expressed his reasoning in a way that was interesting and agreeable. Shakespeare looked to infuse happiness within a tragedy, which is an odd theme to look for in a play consumed with death. This theme makes the reader refrain from taking pity on Richard’s character and focus on the opposing sides of happiness and evil.

Citations

Laam, Kevin. "Shakespeare and Happiness." Shakespeare and Happiness 7.6 (2010):

            439-51. Blackwell Publishing, 4 June 2010. Web. 6 Feb. 2014.

Shakespeare, William, Peter Holland, and Stephen Orgel. The Tragedy of King

Richard the Third. New York, NY: Penguin, 2000. Print.