Parallel Desires and Demonic Romance: Scrutinizing the Dynamic Connect of Richard and Audience in Shakespeare's Play Richard III
Author : Saurav Kumar Pandey
Abstract :
Richard’s journey in the play goes from and into different levels of brutality, unseen and untouched by human consciousness. This paper aims to explore the intricate dynamics of demonic romance between the heroic villain Richard and the Audience, examining how their intertwined motives collectively desire Richard’s enthronement until it is achieved. William Shakespeare in his tragedies, has a history of engaging his audience in a moral complicity with his villains. Shakespeare does this purposefully through the use of Soliloquy and Asides. These are significant in understanding his villains/hero's inner character, his motif and his building relationships with those around him. By analysing the development of their relationship in the context of literary frameworks in Richard III, this research uncovers the symbolic and thematic underpinnings through the interactions contributing to their mutual entrapment. Richard, the master of cunning arts, uses tactical athleticism to use his blemish deformity, his isolation and his cry for natural justice to his advantage in developing a sympathetic gain from the audience. This paper delves deeper into exploring the role of narcissistic traits of Richard in persuading the reader to his side and keeping them distinctively connected till he desires. By examining Richard’s behaviour, inner conflicts, rhetoric, and manipulation through which he enhances his dark euphoric engagement with the audience, we explore Richard as a compelling force that controls the audience’s emotions and engagement throughout the play.
Keywords :
Elizabethan, villain, complicit, romance, manipulation, isolation, inner conflict
