Richard's Downfall
...am grows circumspect.” (4.2.31) This statement establishes Richard’s position as a leader that is losing his charismatic talents because he cannot even convince his closest ally. During the start of a battle is when a leader needs his charm the most; to motivate his troops into winning the battle. If we be conquered, let me conquer us And not these bastard Britons, whom our fathers Have in their own land beaten, bobb’d, and thump’d, And, in record, left them the heirs of shame. Shall these enjoy our lands? lie with our wives? Ravish our daughters? (5.3.333-338) This speech outlines how Richard “motivates” his troops. He does not have his charismatic power any longer, therefore he attempts to motivate the troops using fear of the negative outcomes of losing the war. The leisure and enforcement of the time Forbids to dwell upon. Yet remember this: God and our good cause fight upon our side; The prayers of holy saints and wronged souls. (5.3.239-242) The above excerpt is from Richmond’s speech to his troops before the battle. As you can see, Richmond motivates his troops using optimistic, leadership skills. He remains optimistic throughout the whole speech, which truly motivates soldiers. As you might have guessed at the beginning of the play, Richard is a tremendously confident and cocky character. He shares his plots with the audience from the beginning of the play, as if they were flawless, and as if he will definitely succeed in fulfilling them in the near future. An example of this is in his opening soliloquy. Plots have I laid, inductions dangerous, By drunken prophecies, libels, and dreams, To set my brother Clarence and the King In deadly hate the one against the other; (1.1.32-35) A further example of this is when Richard not only attempts (and succeeds) to woo Lady Anne right after he brutally murders her husband, and Father-in-law, but also while she is in the process of transporting her Father-in-law’s corpse to a cemetery. After convincing Lady Anne to marry him, he yells out to the audience: Was ever woman in this humour wooed? Was ever woman in this humour won? I’ll have her, but I will not keep her long. What? I that killed her husband and his father (1.2.227-230) This is also another example of Richard acting over confident and sharing his plans with the audience as though they are perfect. Richard was quite aware of the two prophecies made regarding his downfall. These supernatural phenomena often come true in Shakespeare’s plays. I do remember me Henry the Sixth Did prophesy that Richmond should be king When Richmond was a little peevish boy. A king! – Perhaps! – (4.2.94-97) Because a bard of Ireland told me once I should not live long after I saw Richmond. (4.2.105-106) Richard was well aware of these prophecies, which cast a shadow of doubt upon him every time he thought of them. The most intimidating curse towards Richard was created in his very own dream. When I was mortal, m...