Clarence's Dream, Richard Iii

1276 Words6 Pages
Write a textual analysis of Clarence’s dream in Act I, Scene IV, lines 1-75, with reference to structure, imagery, allusions, sources and echoes, and the main themes In this scene, Clarence describes his prophetic dream. Even though Clarence is unaware that Richard is behind his imprisonment, he dreams that his brother causes his death and he describes this dream very vividly. The language he uses is very poetic and eloquent, very much similar to Richard’s aptitude of language; it is fitting of one of the major themes in the play- the power of language. It is one of the most poetic pieces in the play and is filled with dramatic imagery in almost every-line. Shakespeare makes use of these imageries to build climaxes;"All scattered in the bottom of the sea" (Act I, Scene IV, line 28) and "And mocked the dead bones that lay scattered by"(Act 1, Scene IV, line 33). The rhythm of Clarence's lines changes appropriately as well, becoming increasingly intense as he races these climaxes. The first part of Clarence’s dream can be divided into four sections to describe different aspects of the drowning: firstly, physical pain – (Act I, Scene IV, lines 21-5) – “O Lord, methought what pain it was to drown, /What dreadful noise of water in mine ears,/What sights of ugly death within mine eyes. Methoughts I saw a thousand fearful wracks,/A thousand men that fishes gnawed upon”. The second section describes the treasures in the ocean such as “Wedges of gold, great anchors, heaps of pearl,/ Inestimable stones, unvalued jewels,/All scattered in the bottom of the sea” -(Act I, Scene IV, lines 26-8). The third section, which follows describes that these treasures are unfortunately have no value – “Some lay in dead men’s skulls, and in the holes/ where did once inhabit there were crept,/As ‘twere in scorn of eyes, reflecting gems,/That wooed the slimy bottom of the deep” – (Act I,
Open Document