As a way of persuading, rhetoric is exercised in Shakespeare’s play Richard III in both good and evil ways. This essay will demonstrate how the utilization of rhetoric is portrayed.

The Dual Nature of Rhetoric in Shakespeare’s Richard III

Through the characters such as the Duke of Glocester (Richard), Richmond, Queen Margaret and Queen Elizabeth, the power of rhetoric is foregrounded in the play. Richard employs manipulative oration for his benefit while Richmond uses his ability to conceive for the sake of doing good. Richard is seen as an influential character with his speeches nevertheless, he loses his effectiveness at the end. Queen Margaret impinges upon most of the characters with her curses and Queen Elizabeth, as an admirer of Margaret, fights for the country with her words.

Queen Margaret and Queen Elizabeth: Female Rhetorical Forces in Richard III

The widow of old King Henry, Queen Margaret, appears in the play with her curses, and she uses her rhetorical power to avenge past vices. She listens aside while others speak about the possible death of King Edward. There, she addresses the crowd “Hear me, you wrangling pirates” and she spells her curses to each of them one by one (1.3.161-162). Her words are so influential that all of the characters whom she curses die at some point in the play. The rhetoric of Queen Margaret is so disastrous that Queen Margaret desires to learn how to curse from her. Queen Margaret explains to her that “Thy woes will make them sharp and pierce like mine” (4.4.128).

Even though Queen Elizabeth is not an effective speaker in terms of the art of rhetoric, she tries to defend her country’s welfare with her words. She stands up against Richard’s malicious intentions and she does not let him marry her daughter. Therefore, Queen Margaret and Queen Elizabeth appear as female opponents of Richard in their orations.

Richard’s Deceptive Rhetoric: A Path to Power in Richard III

In the opening scene of the play, Richard begins exhibiting his oratory skills by talking to the audience. He describes his physical deformities such as his hunchback, and being born prematurely in order to make the audience pity him stating “I, that am rudely stamped and want loves majesty/Deformed, unfinished, sent before my time” (1.1.13-15). After manipulating the audience, he turns to the characters of the play and uses his rhetoric to deceive others and to attain his goal which is to crown as the king of England. Unlike other characters, he sets out a plan when he learns that the war is over and his brother Edward IV becomes the king.

The first hindrance on Richard’s way to achieve his plan is his brother Clarence as he is an alternate nominee for the crown. Thus, Richard behaves as if he supports Edward and seduces the king by making up a prophecy which indicates a person with a “G” in his name will murder him. By doing so, Richard ensures that Clarence is imprisoned in the Tower of London. He then sends two assassins to kill Clarence in his prison and reaches his aim.

Seduction Through Rhetoric: Richard’s Influence on Lady Anne

Madge Compton played Lady Anne Neville in Richard III in 1930. Sasha / Getty Images

Besides, he seduces Lady Anne with his rhetorical aptitude in the presence of King Henry’s corpse. They exchange a conversation that contains stichomythia to strengthen the impact of the reciprocal oratory. When Richard says “Sweet saint, for charity, be not so curst”, Anne answers “ Foul devil, for God’s sake, hence, and trouble us not” (1.2.50-51).

Later on, he states that he killed her husband out of his love towards her. Even though Lady Anne makes references to Richard’s past misdoings and addresses him as a devil and a villain, she yields to him in the end. Lady Anne is so beguiled by Richard’s words that even he does not anticipate this kind of effect.

The Downfall of Richard’s Rhetorical Supremacy

The supremacy of Richard’s rhetoric eventuates with its downfall when he succeeds to the throne. After being the king of England, he becomes paranoid to lose it and this causes a decline in his persuasive skills. No matter how he tries to talk with Queen Elizabeth to marry her daughter young Elizabeth, he is not able to woo her to his advantage. Hence, he begins to face the inability of himself to manipulate somebody with his speech.

Furthermore, at the time of his war with Richmond, his military oration towards his army becomes insufficient and he loses his crown and dies.

Richmond’s Rhetoric: A Beacon of Truth and Hope in Richard III

Unlike Richard’s deceiving oratory, Richmond is displayed as a man of truth. He is presented as a deus ex-machine in the play who represents the future of the country. Along with most of the other characters, Richmond is aware of hazardous acts of Richard. Thus, he claims himself as a minister of God who will destroy Richard and restore order in England. He does not appear as a prominent character at the beginning of the play yet, towards the end he becomes evident. Before the Battle of Bosworth, the ghosts whom Richard killed such as Prince Edward, Clarence, and Rivers appear to Richmond and they wish luck for him as well as cursing Richard. Richmond believes in winning the war. He claims that “Then if you fight against God’s enemy/ God will, in justice, ward you as his soldiers” (5.3.270-71).

In terms of war oratory, Richmond appears as a more captivating orator compared to Richard. Thanks to his speech, the motivation of his army escalates greatly. He uses anaphora by using “if you”, and “you” creating a series of cause-and-effect sentences that makes a strong emphasis on his rhetorical persuasion. At last, he wins the battle and the order is restored in England.

A Spectrum of Motives and Consequences

Famous 18th century actor Garrick III. as Richard. Painter: William Hogarth

All the characters that are mentioned can make use of rhetorical speeches in their actions. Richard’s oratory is based on lies, and his desire to seize the throne urges him to sinful acts. Unlike Richard, Richmond’s rhetoric is based on truth and he plays an important role as a deus ex-machine who turns the destiny of the country to his side.

Queen Margaret loses her husband, son, and her social status and thus, with all the woe, she curses everyone who interferes with her. Queen Elizabeth’s rhetorical power compels Richard and she tries to save her country. Therefore, rhetoric is employed in the play with implicit examples.