Shakespeare's Richard III & Controversy and Reputation
In Shakespeare's play "Richard III" the playwright portrayed the king as a deformed, monster-like tyrant. Shakespeare imposed the man's inner vileness and treachery onto his outer features, marking him. The deranged man eliminated any other possible heir to the throne, insulted his mother, and had people put to death at will. Shakespeare translated these heinous actions and thoughts into physical deformities.
___________________________________________________________________________
Terminology
Traditionalist- One who adheres to practices aspects of their culture as they had always been practiced. A source by one of these people will try to keep to the facts they have been told as much as possible.
Revisionist- In contrast to a traditionalist, one who wishes to change traditions, to make important aspects of cultures gradually different until they have been altered. A source written by a person such as this will keep major details the same but will alter the story in some way.
Lancastrian- A term used to describe a member or supporter of the House of Lancaster. By supporting the Lancastrian House, the person also stands behind the life and accomplishments of Henry VI, especially in times such as the Wars of the Roses. This lineage was carried down by Henry Tudor, who believed himself the Lancastrian heir. To include Richard III, Henry used the people's hatred of Richard to become Henry VII of England. The House of Tudor arose from the marriage of Henry Tudor and Elizabeth of York.
Ricardian- Used in reference to a person who attempts to revive, in an altered form, thoughts of Richard III. They believe that he was not inherently a bad ruler or a person, but that many people showed him under a harsh light for political reasons.
"Henry VI." Web. 26 Sept. 2010. <http://www.royal.gov.uk/HistoryoftheMonarchy/KingsandQueensofEngland/TheLancastrians/HenryVIdeposed.aspx>
"Ricardian (Richard III)." Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. Web. 26 Sept. 2010. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ricardian_(Richard_III)>.
"House of Lancaster." Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. Web. 26 Sept. 2010. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/House_of_Lancaster>.
About WordNet - WordNet - About WordNet. Web. 26 Sept. 2010. <http://wordnet.princeton.edu/>.
___________________________________________________________________
Lancastrian or Ricardian?
Polydore Vergil
The document written by Vergil was a Lancastrian document that is, unsympathetic to Richard III and his actions. This is evidenced in the passage pertaining to Richard's sealing away of his nephews in the tower. "
And so was thinnocent chyld pullyd owt of his mothers armes. Richard ...convaighed his nephewys from the bysshop of Londons howse unto the Towr; and yeat all this causyed no suspytion." This passage outlines with
dual certainty as to why this document is Lancastrian. The imagery makes the reader visualize Richard III assuming a devil-like position as he rips his nephew out of his mother's arms. The boys were locked away in the Tower and the passage says it caused no suspicion. This alludes to the fact that the author believed there should have been suspicion cast upon the man after he had done so.
Horace Walpole
-
This account of Richard III, written by Horace Walpole in 1768, is inherently Ricardian. Its origins are prominent in the very first sentence,
-
"With regard to the person of Richard, it appears to have been as much misrepresented as his actions." Walpole regards the people who look down upon Richard III to be misinformed. He claims that not only do they have the facts of his actions shown with the wrong intentions, but that the Lancastrians embellished his physical appearance as well. In another passage, Walpole explains how the tales of his appearance are false. Walpole is presently referring to a portrait of Richard and an account of Richard from John Rous,
-
"What feature in this portrait gives any idea of a monster?...