Download - Thesis Statement
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Jason Zhang
Mr. Vidrih
ENG2D7-1D
29 October 2010
A Major Weapon: An Analysis into the
Powerful Wordplay in Richard III
Language is, undoubtedly, always a striking feature in any Shakespeare’s work. Different
characters were given different verses and lines, which effectively represent their distinctive
personalities. Under his pen, there have been so many vivid figures who have mastered the art
of language in order to serve their own purposes. In contrast, characters with inferior levels of
articulateness are often manipulated and overthrown. ‘Handle them carefully, for words have
more power than atom bombs.’ This famous maxim from Pearl Strachan is once again
conclusively proven by Shakespeare’s historical play Richard III: The multifarious uses of
language not only reflect intelligence and capabilities, but are rather associated with
conspiracies and manipulations, and meanwhile, are powerful enough to alter the fortunes of
the play’s characters.
First off, King Richard, or Richard Duke of Gloucester, the play's protagonist,
exemplifies a specific type of people who are competent at cunning wordplays. Throughout
his journey to the upmost power, he successfully utilizes his extraordinary language skills to
baffle as well as control the enemies around him. An compelling example is when Richard
tries to woo Lady by begging her to stab him with his dagger:
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Nay, do not pause, for I did kill King Henry,
But 'twas thy beauty that provokèd me.
Nay, now dispatch; 'twas I that stabbed young Edward,
But 'twas thy heavenly face that set me on.
She falls the sword
Tack up the sword again, or take up me. (1.2.184-188)
In his verse, he confesses his crimes to Lady Anne, while blaming them all on her beauty
that has provoked him to do these evil deeds. Notably, in his lines he employs symploce to
emphasize the fact that she has provoked him to commit those evil deeds. Even though
apparently his main motivation was his lust for the throne, Richard recognizes the important
nature of women: they are all tenderhearted creatures (Chinese Proverb). Therefore, Lady
Anne is easily deceived, refuses to be his executioner, and, later on, accepts the marriage.
Likewise, Richard, again, outcompetes in a dispute with the Woodvilles. When he tries to
blame Clarence's death on Queen Elizabeth, he leaves out these famous lines:
I cannot tell. The world is grown so bad
That wrens make prey where eagles dare not perch.
Since every jack became a gentleman,
There's many a gentle person made a jack. (1.3.69-72)
Vividly, he applies a mixed metaphor to describe the dramatic difference between the
Plantagenet (the eagles) and the Woodvilles (wrens). A sinister message is revealed : Richard
is unsatisfied by Queen Elizabeth and her family members' promotion. Thus, Elizabeth is
forced to defend her family. However, generally speaking, the side which stirs up a conflict
openly is inevitably at a disadvantage. Richard's great wit successfully helps him prevail over
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the Queen at the very start of their battle. Elizabeth's ineptitude, compared to Richard, finally
leads to her house's gradual destruction.