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Richard III belongs to Shakespeare's folio of King Richard plays, and is the longest of his plays after Hamlet. It is classified variously as a tragedy and a history, showing the reign of Richard III in an unflattering light. The play's length springs in part from its reference to the other Richard plays, with which Shakespeare assumed his audience would be familiar. These references and characters are often edited out to create an abridged version when the play is performed for modern audiences.
bookwoman247: This is a mystery involving Richard III and the two princes in the tower, and seems to have garnered a bit of respect. It's a great read on its own, and would make a great companion read to Shakespeare's Richard III.
M_Clark: I recently reread Richard III after reading Henry VI, part 3 and enjoyed it much more. First, the characters are more familiar since they play prominent roles in Henry VI. Second, the future Richard III begins his scheming in Henry VI, party 3.
M_Clark: This book by Stephen Greenblatt explains the political ideas of Shakespeare in a wonderfully readable book. Although many of the plays are discussed, he provides a great explanation to Henry VI and Richard III.
The remarkable and illuminating series of Arden Shakespeare editions continues with Shakespeare's (chronologically) first great play, King Richard III. A detailed introduction to the play, its history, language, characters, and publication details provides intricate knowledge of the play and its times. And the play itself is a masterpiece of history and colorful characters, particularly that of the debatably villainous title character. ( )
I'm hardly qualified to review this, so this is how it affected me. I tend towards the view of Josephine Tey's Alan Grant, that Richard was maligned, so I came at this defensively. Shakespeare makes Richard an excellent villain. Golden-tongued, hateful and cold-hearted, he is the epitome of dastardly doings. It is always a joy to read the words of Shakespeare, so I enjoyed the reading of this. As to the history, only our Maker knows the truth of Richard, III. ( )
Listened to this on CD. It helps to have a vague appreciation of the events of the Wars of the Roses - although that does mean that you know how this is going to end... There's a saying that History is written by the victors and that seems to have had a certain influence here. Richard III is painted really very blackly. That's not to say he was necessarily a good King, but he's presented here as deformed, murdering, devious and not above some pretty dark deeds. He gets disowned by his mother. Even the ghosts of his victims turn up and revile Richard while providing balm to the slumber of Henry Tudor. It's all a bit thick. The timeframe is clearly much compressed, the events take place over a few years, not the 3 hours of the play's duration. Having said that, there's plenty to catch the attention and enjoy in here. ( )
My favorite quote from this play is "Everyman's conscience is a thousand words" (Oxford) as opposed to Richard's, "Conscience is but a word cowards use." Great reading! ( )
Now is the winter of our discontent Made glorious summer by this son of York, And all the clouds that loured upon our house In the deep bosom of the ocean buried.
Quotations
An honest tale speeds best, being plainly told.
True hope is swift, and flies with swallow's wings;
Kings it makes gods, and meaner creatures kings.
A horse! a horse! my kingdom for a horse!
Last words
Richmond (Henry VII): Now Civil wounds are stopped, Peace lives again;
This work is for the complete King Richard III only. Do not combine this work with abridgements, adaptations or "simplifications" (such as "Shakespeare Made Easy"), Cliffs Notes or similar study guides, or anything else that does not contain the full text. Do not include any video recordings. Additionally, do not combine this with other plays.
Richard III belongs to Shakespeare's folio of King Richard plays, and is the longest of his plays after Hamlet. It is classified variously as a tragedy and a history, showing the reign of Richard III in an unflattering light. The play's length springs in part from its reference to the other Richard plays, with which Shakespeare assumed his audience would be familiar. These references and characters are often edited out to create an abridged version when the play is performed for modern audiences.
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Book description
This director's playbook contains the script of the play in wide format, with fifty square inches of blank space for sketching in ideas for each scene or part of scene, the main action, costumes, sets. Plus glossary for obscure words or references, separate sections to be filled in for director and staff, budget, timeline, program, publicity, pre-production, audition or casting, set design, costumes, props, lighting, sound, stage manager. The playbook is designed for high schools and colleges, but anyone with a budget, a cast and crew could benefit by keeping track of all the components needed for a theatrical production. Also, a link to customized scripts for all major roles. www.createspace.com/3962607 Eleven other Shakespeare plays are available in this unique format.
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