Richard III - Hastings Themes

Question 1

(Initial) stupidity, naivety

Answer 1

• sure in his position
• shaped by DI, ‘chop off his head’
• R and Bhams delight in this
• blind faith in R - appearance vs reality
• ‘simple gull’, seems to be for much of the play
• alienating, audience unsympathetic/scorn

Question 2

Elevates Stanley and shapes our response to him

Answer 2

• dream
• H’s reaction and dismissal of S
• appearance vs reality, S as voice of reason

Question 3

Hates Woodvilles and delights in their downfall

Answer 3

• hugely ironic
• used as a tool to manipulate by Bham
• alienating

Question 4

(Arguable) moment of realisation/wisdom

Answer 4

• moment of perspicacity
• realises R’s plans and own foolishness and shows remorse for Woodvilles
• realises outcome of M’s curse, example of the effects of divine justice (foreshadowing R’s downfall?)
• moment of redemption with audience, no longer unsympathetic and maybe realise R’s cruelty

Question 5

Parallel to Clarence?

Answer 5

• blind faith in Richard, emp R’s performance and skills
• audience unsympathetic to both initially due to stupidity, but after death become sympathetic and alienated slightly from R (view shaped only by R at first)
• not similar to C as he ultimately realises error of ways