Shakespeare Review – Richard III

Photo taken by me – Shakespeare and Walt Whitman
Preston, England
May 23, 2016 2:59am CST
Spoiler alerts - as if this needs them. The Duke Of Gloucester, later crowned Richard III is Shakespeare’s greatest villain. He makes Darth Vader look like an amateur. His twisted body reflects and feeds his inner bitter, malevolent fury as he stops at nothing to secure and hold power before his over-stretched plans inevitably destroy him. The play is virtually a study of a serial killer in action, rising to office by wiping out the opposition, drowning Clarence in a barrel of Malmsey Wine (my own choice of execution if assassins have designs on me please), suffocating the junior Princes in the Tower Of London, etc. All of this is done with delicious fourth wall defying nods to the audience but his downfall comes from the grieving wives and mothers and competition for his throne leading to battle at Bosworth, drawing the Wars Of The Roses to a bloody conclusion. Richard, maddened by ghostly visions of those he slew, and unable to secure a horse despite promising his very kingdom for a means to escape, dies a lonely death on the field as his crown is taken by the Tudor succession. A tremendous play, presenting one of the Bard’s most demanding roles – a recent TV version starring Sherlock actor Benedict Cumberbatch was magnificent. Arthur Chappell
11 people like this
10 responses
@jaboUK (64354)
• United Kingdom
24 May 16
The best version in my opinion was the Laurence Olivier film - brilliant.
1 person likes this
• Preston, England
24 May 16
@jaboUK yes, that was extraordinary too
1 person likes this
@Jessicalynnt (50523)
• Centralia, Missouri
23 May 16
I do love Cumberbatch . The fact he played Smaug, considering who played Bilbo, makes everything more amusing in my opinion
1 person likes this
• Preston, England
24 May 16
yes he was good as Smaug
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@snowy22315 (179440)
• United States
12 Jun 16
Thank you for a very good, intelligent, and interesting post.
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (165620)
• Boise, Idaho
23 May 16
People back then sure were power hungry weren't they?
1 person likes this
@just4him (317012)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
23 May 16
Sounds like a great movie. I can follow Shakespeare better in a movie than reading his plays.
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@JohnRoberts (109846)
• Los Angeles, California
23 May 16
There have been several filmed versions. Did you see the 1995 "modern dress" version with Ian McKellan?
1 person likes this
• Preston, England
23 May 16
@JohnRoberts yes another fantastic interpretation
@LadyDuck (470445)
• Switzerland
23 May 16
I like Shakespeare's tragedies and this version starring Benedict Cumberbatch sounds interesting to watch.
1 person likes this
@Fleura (30085)
• United Kingdom
23 May 16
Dare I admit I am not a fan of Shakespeare's gruesome tragedies? There's enough horror in the real world without going to watch more for 'entertainment'.
1 person likes this
@Macarrosel (7498)
• Philippines
23 May 16
Seems this is worthy to watch. Nice one.
1 person likes this
@destimona (1910)
• Luxembourg, Luxembourg
23 May 16
Nice one.
1 person likes this