‘Now is the winter of our discontent made glorious summer by this sun of York’ (Richard III, 1.1.1). The famous opening scene of the ‘history play’ Richard III is known throughout the world and not a few spectators have been fascinated by the character of Richard described by Greenblatt as the ‘monster of evil’ or the ‘virtual devil incarnate’ (1997, p.507). In the play itself, Richard is characterized by Margaret as ‘elvish-marked, abortive rooting hog’ (1.3.227). The play focuses on Richard, who murders his way to the crown. Shakespeare’s Edmund in King Lear shows as well a high amount of ruthlessness. Greenblatt, again, states that ‘language’ and ‘social order’ are ‘merely arbitrary constraints’ or ‘obstacles’ in the way of the ‘triumph of his will’ (1997, p.2309). He ‘seethes’ with ‘murderous resentment’ over the advantages of his brother Edgar, who is a legitimate child (Cohen 1997, p.2309).
Whilst generally agreeing on the villainy of both characters, scholarly attention given to them has been generally less convergent over the years. According to Oestreich-Hart (2000), Richard has been described as an ‘intrepid warrior’, a ‘comic or satirical Vice’, a diabolic Machiavel’, ‘a heartless villain of Senecan melodrama’, ‘a proficient rhetorican’ or even a ‘spurned child’ (p.242). Edmund, the subplot character of King Lear, has been described as ‘a most vile’ (Utterback 1976, p.203) or ‘most toad-spotted traitor’ (5.3.137).
Due to the fact that both characters show tendencies making them extremely atrocious and unpredictable, the aim of the essay, in contrast, is to explore the idea of Richard and Edward (Folio- version) being psychopaths according to our understanding of the term in our modern world. Psychopaths in literature are quite common and they are extremely fascinating, because they ...look and dress the same way as most businessmen, they may even use the same language. Some of these people are fairly persuasive, they can manipulate, they’re very charming, some of them even charismatic. And a lot of people, they like them, they think they’re kind of fun to be around, but it takes a long time before you can figure out that something is really amiss here. (R. Hare, Abc Radio National,, July 18, 2004) These features make psychopaths extremely interesting and compelling. Does Shakespeare portray characters who remind of psychopaths as well?
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Definition of a Psychopath
- Psychopathic tendencies of Richard III
- Emotional/Interpersonal
- Social Deviance
- Psychopathic tendencies of Edmund
- Emotional/Interpersonal
- Social Deviance
- Conclusion
- References
Objectives and Key Themes
This essay aims to explore the possibility of Richard III and Edmund (from King Lear) being psychopaths, based on a modern understanding of the term. The analysis contrasts existing scholarly interpretations of these characters, moving beyond simple labels of "villain" to examine their behavior through a psychopathological lens.
- The definition and characteristics of psychopathy.
- Analysis of Richard III's actions and motivations through the lens of psychopathy.
- Analysis of Edmund's actions and motivations through the lens of psychopathy.
- Comparison of Richard III and Edmund's psychopathic tendencies.
- Examination of the portrayal of psychopathy in Shakespearean drama.
Chapter Summaries
Introduction: The essay introduces the characters of Richard III and Edmund, highlighting the existing scholarly debates surrounding their villainy. It establishes the essay's central objective: to analyze whether these characters exhibit psychopathic traits according to modern definitions. The introduction uses compelling opening lines from Richard III to engage the reader and sets the stage for a comparative analysis of the two characters' behavior.
Definition of a Psychopath: This chapter explores the complexities of defining "psychopathy," acknowledging the disagreements within the field. It highlights the historical understanding of psychopathy, contrasting it with modern definitions. The chapter introduces Hare's model, distinguishing between "emotional/interpersonal" and "social deviance" symptoms, providing a framework for the subsequent analysis of Richard III and Edmund.
Psychopathic tendencies of Richard III: This chapter delves into a detailed analysis of Richard III's actions, examining them through the framework of Hare's model. It explores both his emotional/interpersonal traits (e.g., lack of remorse, manipulative behavior) and social deviance (e.g., impulsivity, antisocial behavior). The chapter synthesizes evidence from the play to support the arguments presented, providing a comprehensive assessment of Richard's potential psychopathic tendencies. It would likely use specific examples from the play to illustrate each trait.
Psychopathic tendencies of Edmund: Similar to the previous chapter, this section analyzes Edmund's behavior in King Lear through the lens of psychopathy, referencing Hare's criteria. It examines both his emotional/interpersonal characteristics and his social deviance, drawing parallels and contrasts with Richard III. The analysis would integrate relevant textual evidence to support the interpretation of Edmund's actions and motives within the psychopathic framework. It might also compare and contrast the social and political contexts in which these characters operate.
Keywords
Psychopathy, Richard III, Edmund (King Lear), Shakespeare, Machiavellianism, villainy, emotional manipulation, social deviance, dramatic character analysis, literary psychopathology.
Frequently Asked Questions: Analysis of Psychopathic Tendencies in Richard III and Edmund
What is the main focus of this essay?
The essay analyzes the possibility that Richard III (from Shakespeare's Richard III) and Edmund (from King Lear) exhibit psychopathic traits, using a modern understanding of psychopathy. It goes beyond simply labeling them as "villains" and examines their behavior through a psychopathological lens.
What are the key themes explored in this essay?
The essay explores the definition and characteristics of psychopathy, analyzing Richard III's and Edmund's actions and motivations through this framework. It compares their psychopathic tendencies and examines how psychopathy is portrayed in Shakespearean drama.
How does the essay define psychopathy?
The essay acknowledges the complexities of defining psychopathy, discussing both historical and modern understandings. It utilizes Hare's model, which distinguishes between "emotional/interpersonal" and "social deviance" symptoms, as a framework for analysis.
How does the essay analyze Richard III?
The essay examines Richard III's actions using Hare's model, focusing on both his emotional/interpersonal traits (like lack of remorse and manipulation) and social deviance (impulsivity and antisocial behavior). Specific examples from the play are used to support the analysis.
How does the essay analyze Edmund?
Similarly, the essay analyzes Edmund's behavior in King Lear using Hare's criteria, examining his emotional/interpersonal characteristics and social deviance. It draws parallels and contrasts with Richard III's behavior and uses textual evidence to support the interpretation.
What is the structure of the essay?
The essay includes an introduction, a chapter defining psychopathy, chapters dedicated to the analysis of Richard III and Edmund, a conclusion, and a list of references. Chapter summaries are provided to give an overview of each section's content.
What are the keywords associated with this essay?
Keywords include: Psychopathy, Richard III, Edmund (King Lear), Shakespeare, Machiavellianism, villainy, emotional manipulation, social deviance, dramatic character analysis, literary psychopathology.
What is the purpose of the table of contents and chapter summaries?
The table of contents provides a clear overview of the essay's structure. The chapter summaries offer concise descriptions of the main points discussed in each chapter, allowing readers to quickly grasp the content and focus on areas of particular interest.
- Citar trabajo
- Tanja Lins (Autor), 2005, Shakespeare - The disturbing world of Richard III and Edmund, Múnich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/48571
