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Jason Zhang

Mr. Vidrih

ENG2D7-1D

29 October 2010

A Major Weapon: An Analysis into the

Powerful Wordplay in Richard III

Language is, undoubtedly, always a striking feature in any Shakespeare’s work. Different

characters were given different verses and lines, which effectively represent their distinctive

personalities. Under his pen, there have been so many vivid figures who have mastered the art

of language in order to serve their own purposes. In contrast, characters with inferior levels of

articulateness are often manipulated and overthrown. ‘Handle them carefully, for words have

more power than atom bombs.’ This famous maxim from Pearl Strachan is once again

conclusively proven by Shakespeare’s historical play Richard III: The multifarious uses of

language not only reflect intelligence and capabilities, but are rather associated with

conspiracies and manipulations, and meanwhile, are powerful enough to alter the fortunes of

the play’s characters.

First off, King Richard, or Richard Duke of Gloucester, the play's protagonist,

exemplifies a specific type of people who are competent at cunning wordplays. Throughout

his journey to the upmost power, he successfully utilizes his extraordinary language skills to

baffle as well as control the enemies around him. An compelling example is when Richard

tries to woo Lady by begging her to stab him with his dagger:

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Nay, do not pause, for I did kill King Henry,

But 'twas thy beauty that provokèd me.

Nay, now dispatch; 'twas I that stabbed young Edward,

But 'twas thy heavenly face that set me on.

She falls the sword

Tack up the sword again, or take up me. (1.2.184-188)

In his verse, he confesses his crimes to Lady Anne, while blaming them all on her beauty

that has provoked him to do these evil deeds. Notably, in his lines he employs symploce to

emphasize the fact that she has provoked him to commit those evil deeds. Even though

apparently his main motivation was his lust for the throne, Richard recognizes the important

nature of women: they are all tenderhearted creatures (Chinese Proverb). Therefore, Lady

Anne is easily deceived, refuses to be his executioner, and, later on, accepts the marriage.

Likewise, Richard, again, outcompetes in a dispute with the Woodvilles. When he tries to

blame Clarence's death on Queen Elizabeth, he leaves out these famous lines:

I cannot tell. The world is grown so bad

That wrens make prey where eagles dare not perch.

Since every jack became a gentleman,

There's many a gentle person made a jack. (1.3.69-72)

Vividly, he applies a mixed metaphor to describe the dramatic difference between the

Plantagenet (the eagles) and the Woodvilles (wrens). A sinister message is revealed : Richard

is unsatisfied by Queen Elizabeth and her family members' promotion. Thus, Elizabeth is

forced to defend her family. However, generally speaking, the side which stirs up a conflict

openly is inevitably at a disadvantage. Richard's great wit successfully helps him prevail over

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the Queen at the very start of their battle. Elizabeth's ineptitude, compared to Richard, finally

leads to her house's gradual destruction.