Shakespeare and Ethics

Richard III questions

• Summarize Chapter 9 in Shakespeare and Moral Agency. What is the author’s argument and how does it apply to Richard?

1. Consider Richard’s opening speech (1.1). When he says he is “determined to prove a villain,” in what sense does he mean “determined”? That he has made up his own mind? or that “dissembling nature” (1.1.19) has “determined” his character and fate? or that he has been providentially “shaped” to be a villain? When he plays the role of “the formal Vice, Iniquity” (3.1.82), does he decide to play this role or does he mean he is destined to be God’s evil “scourge and minister”? What difference does it make?

1. Richard can so well perform the affections of love (1.2) and repentance (1.2.204-208) that he convinces Lady Anne to begin to think well of him, even to marry him. Is he almost convinced by his own performance (1.2.239)? Can he play the lover, the plotter, the pious courtier, the villain, even the king so well that he loses track of who he is (see 5.5.131-157)? Does his manipulation of other’s desires finally subvert his own?

1. Richard pretends to believe in nothing, but uses other’s beliefs to set his traps and plots. He uses superstitious beliefs to imprison Clarence, and to mock the women; he uses psychology to woo Lady Anne; he uses Hasting’s bland confidence in bloodlines and divine ordination to trip him up. He appears through much of the play to prove the effectiveness of utterly cynical self-promotion, playing upon others’ oversimple faith to use them to his ends. Does the play run any risk of endorsing such a cynical machiavel? Are we invited to admire Richard’s stunning successes? Does he fall victim to his own cynicism, or does he just prove unable to keep track of so many different selves?