The medieval influences of Shakespeare's "Richard III": Morality plays, miracle plays, and "The Chronicles"
by Shelley, Elizabeth Jane, M.A., GRAND VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY, 2007, 86 pages; 1448361

Abstract:

There are many striking similarities between Shakespeare's The Tragedy of King Richard III and several types of medieval works. The morality play genre is most distinctly represented by Richard's representation as the Vice, a popular figure first characterized as the devil's helper who eventually eclipsed the devil and became the sole figure of evil. Richard also shares characteristics with the miracle or mystery play figures of Cain and Herod, figures who commit evil deeds and are rightly punished by God. Shakespeare was also strongly influenced by the chronicle accounts of Raphael Holinshed and Edward Hall, who base their accounts of Richard's fight for the crown and subsequent reign on Sir Thomas More's The History of King Richard the Third. It is from More's work that Shakespeare heavily borrows for the events and occurrences in his Richard III.

 
AdviserBenjamin Lockerd
SchoolGRAND VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY
SourceMAI/ 46-02, p. , Dec 2007
Source TypeThesis
SubjectsMedieval literature; Theater; British and Irish literature
Publication Number1448361
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