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Shakespeare
The Destiny of King Richard

William Shakespeare’s play Richard III can indisputably be called his masterpiece. In it, he has created the character of Richard as the protagonist and a villain.. Richard laments his physical attributes which are shown here to be that of a deformed monster, unattractive, dishonest, sadistic, manipulative and so badly made.

But I, that am not shaped for sportive tricks,
Nor made to court an amourous looking-glass;
I, that am rudely stamp’d, and want love’s majesty
To strut before a wanton ambling nymph;
I, that am curtail’d of this fair proportion,
Cheated of feature by dissembling nature,
Deform’d, unfinish’d, sent before my time
Into this breathing world, scarce half made up,
And that so lamely and unfashionable
That dogs bark at me as I halt by them;

Act I, Scene I


It was not Richard’s destiny to become the king. The only way for a king or queen could claim to be the real and legal ruler was through a system called primogeniture- which means, the firstborn of the previous monarch became the next ruler. This was usually restricted to the male line of the royal family. Richard of Gloucester was born of the royal family but, he does not possess the
qualities of a King to be legitimate. After the death of their father, being the firstborn male in the family, Edward was entitled to take over the throne. Richard was the third son in the York family after Edward and Clarence. Shakespeare depicts Edward and Clarence as far more worthy of the
crown. They have the qualities of a King which Richard does not
possess.


Richard states in his opening speech;

Unless to spy my shadow in the sun
And descant on mine own deformity.
And therefore since I cannot prove a lover';
Act I, Scene...