minor characters in richardiii

In the drama “The Tragedy of Richard The Third”, there is a vast spread of characters, some with very large roles and others with smaller parts to play. However minute these parts I believe every one to have a purpose and that without them they drama would seem “incomplete”. I believe that Shakespeare uses this large cast to give the audience an immensely strong picture of Richard’s personality, each character giving us a different perspective or angle on Richard’s personality.

Of course Richard’s strength and evil isn’t developed solely on the views of other characters, for his actions too are very important. There are many circumstances in the drama in which Richard exercises his evil; one of the most significant is the arrangement for the murder of his brother, Clarence. Shakespeare included this in the narrative (near the beginning of the drama) because it very quickly gives the audience a perception of Richard’s determination to become king and also his malevol

One of the most significant “minor” characters is the young prince, Edward to whom Richard is Protector. Edward is the younger of the two Princes, but is made more important because his age signifies innocence. This in turn shows Richard’s merciless, to kill an innocent child. Although being innocent, the princes are not stupid and they fear the tower, “I shall not sleep in quiet at the Tower”. This line also produces a powerful piece of imagery, Shakespeare clearly wrote this with the intention of giving the Elizabethans (Who will have never seen inside the tower) an insight into the Prince’s fear and to create anticipation to what will finally occur in the Tower. Despite being afraid, the princes appear unaware that it is Richard they should be fearing, “An if they live, I hope I need not fear.” his final quote enhances the imagery created of the Princes’ innocence.

Bettering thy loss makes the bad-causer worse;

Some topics in this essay:
Blank Verse, Duke Gloucester”, Duchess Gloucester, Richard Third”, Edward Princes, Clarence Shakespeare, Shakespeare Ghosts, Tower Despite, Edward Citizen, III” Duchess’, richard’s personality, shakespeare wrote, target audience, sleep night fast, makes curse, stage direction, writing technique, duchess’ speech, duchess gloucester, blank verse, shakespeare wrote line, “forbear sleep night, “richard iii”,