Dramatic Irony In Shakespeare's King Richard III

In Act 3 scene I, we see dramatic irony right from the start when the

In Act 1 of Romeo & Juliet by William Shakespeare there are many characters introduced, a theme presented and the demonstration of dramatic irony. Three of the characters that are introduced are Juliet who is an innocent young girl, Romeo who is fickle and Benvolio, who is a peacemaker. In scene three of act one, Lady Capulet says to Juliet, “How stands your disposition to be married?” (1.3.70).

Upon Richard's return to England, he learns of the events that had transpired in his absence. At first his own arrogance allows him to believe that since it is his God given right to rule as King, he will be protected. But then just as quickly, Richard's arrogance turns into despair upon the realization that Henry has gained support of the nobles and the people of England. Henry and Richard finally meet at Ramparts Castle leading to the climax of the play. Henry demands retribution for the allocation of his families' possessions and

An act of dramatic irony in the novel is the play Hamlet puts on within Shakespeare’s play itself. Hamlet is putting on the play in order to get a rise out of Claudius, however the audience and actors are oblivious to Hamlet’s agenda. Irony, and the other literary features used by Shakespeare play a crucial role throughout the play and gives entertainment as well as a deeper understanding to

For instance, it states in the novel that Edward “lived in a state of constant aspiration” (fifteen) and that “getting there, wherever it was, wasn’t the important thing: it was the battle, and the battle after that, and the war was never ending.” (fifteen) It also states that he worked and he worked (fifteen), meaning he was working instead of being with William and Sandra. Due to his low self-esteem, he used almost all his time trying to prove himself as who he wants to be, rather than playing the correct role as a good father to William and a reliable husband towards Sandra. Edward inconsiderately does not want to give up on his legacy to his son because he wants to remain the great man he is. For example, Edward “expected more” (120) back when William was born. He expected “a muted brilliance, a glow, maybe even a halo of some kind.” (120) Since William is such an ordinary child compared to Edward, he believes that his son is not worth of inheriting his identity; hence explaining why William’s knowledge of Edward is limited to a mythical and unrealistic level.

The conflicts within the play were revealed through hand gestures, facial emotions, and war. These conflicts were developed by suspicion of Richard III. The character who suspected the most, I think, was Elizabeth. People within the ability to be crowned ruler were dying ‘unexpectedly,” and Richard just continued to build up in the rank of the crown, therefore tension developed. The tension over the reign was resolved when Richard III died. He caused tension within the play by planning the death of a multitude of people, such as his own brother, Elizabeth’s husband, Elizabeth’s brother, and Hastings.

-Shakespeare employs dramatic irony in many of his tragedies, so that the audience is engaged, and so they are able to witness characters errors in their action, predict the fate of the characters, and experience feelings of tragedy and grief.

All About Eve is based on Mary Orr’s story “The Wisdom of Eve” in the International Cosmopolitan Magazine that was based on real life events. After Joseph L. Mankiewicz read the story, he was immediately enamored by the concept because he found a his way of “settling a lot of scores [with the theatre]” (Crowther). Without delay, he bought the rights to the movie and began casting. After a long and hard battle for casting Margo Channing, Mankiewicz selected Bette Davis - a replacement for his first choice - because she was the only available actress that could play the part well.

There is no doubt that Shakespeare was the author of great pieces of literature during an interesting time period. Given the circumstances, he was indeed mastering his craft during a very tumultuous juncture in British history. When one reads Richard III, they don’t necessarily have to know a great deal about the War of Roses to understand that there is some serious strife going on. However, if the reader takes some time to understand this fascinating string of events, the story of Richard and his fall becomes much more interesting. In all of his brilliance, Shakespeare manages to toy with the idea of humor in this very morose play. As a matter of fact, he does this in many, if not all of his tragedies.

Richard II is an authoritative and greedy king of England, and he is living in a period of transition that medieval knights who are swearing total loyalty to a king has been disappearing and an aristocracy starts to gain a power for their own good. However, Richard II keeps believing the power of kingship, and he also is too confident himself. He overestimates his authority and power; furthermore, he ignores the periodical change. Therefore, he speaks confidently how firm his position as king is to the people in Wales, but his attitude changes when he suffers a defeat by Henry Bolingbroke that he

Edmund, the illegitimate son of Gloucester, had set a plan into motion to remove both his older brother, Edgar, and his father from the picture in order to receive inheritance that would have all been given to Edgar due to the birthright rules. Edmund tricked Edgar into being seen as an outlaw, and he was to be hunted down like wild game. Edgar had to disguise himself, risk dying, see the insane King, and watch his father die; however, Edgar decides to forgive his brother as Edmund lay dying, “Let’s exchange charity./ I am no less in blood than thou art, Edmund...” (V.3). Despite all Edgar was forced to endure just so Edmund could be happy for a few days, it is impressive that he forgave him at all. Edgar gave his brother a great compliment when he said that they were equal in blood, that was all Edmund had wanted.

    According to many, Shakespeare intentionally portrays Richard III in ways that would have the world hail him as the ultimate Machiavel.  This build up only serves to further the dramatic irony when Richard falls from his throne.  The nature of Richard's character is key to discovering the commentary Shakespeare is delivering on the nature of tyrants.  By setting up Richard to be seen as the ultimate Machiavel, only to have him utterly destroyed, Shakespeare makes a dramatic commentary on the frailty of tyranny and such men as would aspire to tyrannical rule.

He also tells Edgar that Cornwall is not pleased with him over a dispute between Albany and Cornwall that Edgar knows nothing about. He then urges Edgar to flee just before he lies to Gloucester about Edgar’s intent. Gloucester, believing Edmund’s lies condemns Edgar to death and promises Edmund his lordship. Edmund, having disposed of his brother and securing his eventual reward sees an opportunity to acquire his land and status a little more swiftly. When Gloucester flees to help Lear he entrusts Edmund with ensuring Cornwall does not discover Gloucester’s plans and the location of letter regarding an imminent French invasion. Edmund immediately betrays his father and shows Cornwall the letter, making him believe Gloucester is working for the French. Gloucester is soon after discovered and brought before Cornwall and Reagan. While Gloucester is being blinded by Cornwall, Edmund is busy courting Goneril outside of her palace. Edmund decides to double his chances of becoming King by courting Reagan as well. Edmund’s final act of treachery occurs when he gives orders to the Captain to hang Lear and Cordelia. He lies even in his dying breath as he stalls in order to ensure the death of Cordelia: “Despite of mine own nature. Quickly send-/ Be brief in it - to th’ castle, for my writ/ Is on the life of Lear, and on Cordelia./ Nay, send in time.” (Shakespeare 5.3.292-295) Edmund’s actions led

Since Richard cannot do anything about his deformity and ugliness he turns his bitterness to ambition and lays the groundwork for his plan to betray King Edward IV. Richard tells the audience, “plots have I laid, inductions dangerous, by drunken prophecies, libels and dreams, to set my brother Clarence and the King in deadly hate against the other; and if King Edward be as true and just as I am subtle, false, and treacherous, this day should Clarence closely be mewed up, about a prophecy, which says that G OF Edward’s heirs the murderer shall be” (1.1.32-40). In these lines, Richard reveals his plan that he will turn Clarence and King Edward against each other so Edward will banish Clarence to the tower because he believes Clarence will be his murderer. Richard will do this through declaring a prophecy that this will be so. Richard explains that this will work because King Edward is as just as Richard is treacherous and Richard will use that against King Edward to cause his and Clarence’s demise. It is not known whether the character Richard would have revealed more about his plan this early in the play because he is interrupted by Clarence. Richard ends the speech with the lines, “dive thoughts down to my soul, here Clarence comes” (1.1.41), which basically means that he better keep

Richard’s political ambition is revealed through his strategic calculations based on the order of birth in his York family which puts him third away from the throne. Ahead of him is his elder brother, George Clarence, a barrier which will have to eradicate. His brother, King Edward, is another political barrier, by simply being alive, in power and equally by being the father of the two young princes . Richard’s creates a political mistrust between his two