[English] Text response structure/introduction - Richard III

[spikey]

Since time is running out and I guess introductions are essentially the most important part of an essay in exams, can I get your opinion on this structure of an essay and the introduction for it?


Richard is an evil character but remains the focus of the audience’s interest. Discuss.
•   Intro
•   Opening soliloquy
•   Wooing of Lady Anne shows his oratory skills which allow him to succeed in his evil
•   Murders of clarence, edward, princes highlight richard's evil
•   Buckingham helps him be evil until "some little breath, some pause"
•   Common men/Hastings - richard's evil affects them
•   Elizabeth/Stanley taking action to stop richard's evil
•   Richmond
•   Conclusion

Shakespeare presents in his historical tragedy ‘Richard III’, the protagonist Richard, who is indeed evil to the core. He entertains the audiences and is certainly the focus of interest, remaining on stage for the majority of the play. However despite this, audiences cannot condone his evil machinations, as the play is set in a Christian Social world where ultimately those who commit sins must pay for them on Judgement Day. Richard is a nihilistic and malicious “usurping boar”. His surreptitious plans are shared with the audiences from his opening soliloquy, and throughout the play, the audiences anticipate how he will set about achieving them. Richard’s consummate acting and oratory skills captivate many of the characters and allow him to manipulate them for his own sport and profit. With the help of Buckingham, Richard is willing to murder anyone and everyone who stands in his way to the throne. Once he is king, his evil affects the entire nation of England as he has absolute power over his citizens. Thus it is up to those with some power to ensure that at the denouement of the play, Richmond, God’s avenger, becomes king.

[costa94]

5

[spikey]

thx b@b3

[cltf]

Anything that talks about audience's focus on Richard, I default go to his seductive speeches - Anne, his role as a manipulator, masks etc - Clarence etc, role as Vice - the young princes, Godless stoicism. All of that is what really makes Richard "evil", but maintains the audience's attention.

[Anon123]

Going for a character based paragraphs is pretty weak
And I don't think you respond properly to the prompt, something better would be

Why do we find him an attractive/becoming character? You can write 2+ paragraphs on this, personally I would:
-Manner in which he addresses the audience, honesty, truth, direct address, we know what the other characters don't, etc
-Humour, brutality, action, wit, charm
-Godlessness -> "two props of vitrue", devil quotes and shiz

And then talk about:
-Why we other characters don't get as much attention -> I said although in most plays we would feel pity for them, in this play they are an architect of their fate / flawed characters, etc