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In ''Richard III'', Shakespeare invites us on a moral holiday. The play draws us to identify with Richard and his fantasy of total control of self and domination of others. Not yet king at the start of the play, Richard presents himself as an enterprising villain as he successfully plans to dispose of his brother Clarence. Richard achieves similar success in conquering the woman he chooses to marry. He carves a way to the throne through assassination and executions. | |||
But Richard also meets resistance, most threateningly from Queen Margaret, widow of King Henry VI, whom he killed before the play's beginning. Margaret issues a stream of curses, including one on Richard. | |||
Gradually, the curses are fulfilled, suggesting the curse on Richard may come true, too. Increasingly, the play directs our sympathies away from Richard. His supporters desert him; his victims pile up. We may begin to share in the desire for vengeance voiced by Margaret. | |||
Shakespeare is thought to have written ''Richard III'' in 1592-94. It was published as a quarto in 1597. A major source is Sir Thomas More's ''The History of King Richard III''.<ref>Adapted from the Folger Library Shakespeare edition, edited by Barbara A. Mowat and Paul Werstine. © 1996 Folger Shakespeare Library.</ref> | |||
== Productions at the Folger == | == Productions at the Folger == | ||
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== Other media == | == Other media == | ||
== Notes == | |||
<references> | |||
Revision as of 08:34, 17 June 2014
In Richard III, Shakespeare invites us on a moral holiday. The play draws us to identify with Richard and his fantasy of total control of self and domination of others. Not yet king at the start of the play, Richard presents himself as an enterprising villain as he successfully plans to dispose of his brother Clarence. Richard achieves similar success in conquering the woman he chooses to marry. He carves a way to the throne through assassination and executions.
But Richard also meets resistance, most threateningly from Queen Margaret, widow of King Henry VI, whom he killed before the play's beginning. Margaret issues a stream of curses, including one on Richard.
Gradually, the curses are fulfilled, suggesting the curse on Richard may come true, too. Increasingly, the play directs our sympathies away from Richard. His supporters desert him; his victims pile up. We may begin to share in the desire for vengeance voiced by Margaret.
Shakespeare is thought to have written Richard III in 1592-94. It was published as a quarto in 1597. A major source is Sir Thomas More's The History of King Richard III.[1]
Productions at the Folger
- Richard III (Folger Theatre, 2014)
- Richard III (Shenandoah Shakespeare Express, 1998)
- Richard III (with the Travelling Shakespeare Company, 1995)
Early editions
First Folio
- LUNA: First Folio: s5r - t2v
- Hamnet: STC 22273 Fo. 1 no. 68
Second Folio
- LUNA: Second Folio: s1r - v4v
- Hamnet: STC 22274 Fo. 2 no. 07
First Quarto
- LUNA: First Quarto
- Hamnet: STC 22314
Fourth Quarto
- LUNA: Fourth Quarto
- Hamnet: STC 22317 Copy 1
Fifth Quarto
- LUNA: Fifth Quarto
- Hamnet: STC 22318 Copy 1
Sixth Quarto
- LUNA: Sixth Quarto
- Hamnet: STC 22319
Seventh Quarto
- LUNA: Seventh Quarto
- Hamnet: STC 22320 Copy 1
Eighth Quarto
- LUNA: Eighth Quarto
- Hamnet: STC 22321 Copy 1
Modern editions
Richard III can be read online with Folger Digital Texts and purchased from Simon and Schuster.
- Hamnet link to Folger Edition: PR2753 .M6 2003 copy 2 v.19
Translations
Performance materials
Other media
Notes
<references>
- ↑ Adapted from the Folger Library Shakespeare edition, edited by Barbara A. Mowat and Paul Werstine. © 1996 Folger Shakespeare Library.