A Hero, a King, and a Daemon Essay -- Literary Analysis, Shakespeare

Gifted with the darkest attributes intertwined in his imperfect characteristics, Shakespeares Richard III displays his anti-hero traits laid low(p) with thorns of villains Plots have I laid, inductions dangerous / By drunken prophecies, libels, and dreams (I.i.32-33). Richard possesses the idealism and emulation of a tremendous figure that is destined to great achieve ments and power however, as one who believes that the end justifies the means, Richard rejects moral value and tradition as he is willing to do anything to accomplish his goal to the crown. The orderliness, even his family and closest friends, repudiate him as a deformed outcast. Nevertheless, he cheers for himself as the sensory faculty and irredeemable villain by turning entirely to revenge of winning self-served power. By distinguishing virtue ethics to take revenge on the piece society that alienates him and centering his life on self-advancement towards kingship, Richard is the literary archetype of an anti -hero. Richards disdain for humane beliefs and customs (such as religion, marriage, and family) shows when he treats them as zipper more than empty forms this further labels him as a demon of indiscipline and rebellion. He sees virtues as contrary to his power-thirsty nature and aim, which emphasizes his pathological shamelessness and lack of hremorse. With his charisma, he woos Lady Anne in order to disempower her, revealing his disregard towards the seriousnesss of strike and respect for women What though I killed her husband and her father? (I.i.156). Richard shows his disrespect towards hit the sack and marriage as he becomes her husband not so practically for love / but for another secret close intent (I.i.159-160) to benefit himself. In Act IV, Richard prays with ... ... bloody pathway to kingship. Filled with scorn against a society that rejects him and nature that curses him with a weakened body, Richard decides to take revenge and ultimately declares a war between himself and the world. By achieving goals for the mere sake of self-advancement, a successful hero, an ambitious king, and an atrocious villain were created. Richard assumes that love forms a bond which men can break, but fear is supported by the dread of present pain (Machiavelli ch. XXIV) thus, for true success the hero must be a villain too. Richard III becomes one of literatures most know anti-heroes under the hands of Shakespeare as he has no objective or thought to take up any other profession than the machination of hatred however, ironically being a representative of a heroic ruler sent by God, he is made to commit mop up to redeem society of their sins.