Saturday, May 18, 2019

The Use of Humor in Richard III by Shakespeare

There is no enquiry that Shakespeare was the author of great pieces of literature during an interesting time period. Given the circumstances, he was indeed mastering his stratagem during a very tumultuous juncture in British hi fib. When one reads Richard III, they dont inevitably have to know a great deal or so the War of Roses to understand that there is whatever serious strife going on. However, if the lector takes some time to understand this fascinating string of events, the story of Richard and his f either becomes oft more interesting.In all of his brilliance, Shakespeare manages to toy with the idea of humor in this very morose play. As a matter of f affect, he does this in many, if not all of his tragedies. However, few may match the juxtaposition of humor with the macabre in Richard III. After a reading of this play, one may ask, how does Shakespeare use humor in this play? The answer to that would be in a few several(predicate) commissions. However, no matter which was he uses humor the end result will be a absolutely balanced dialogue that is humorous and snappy.First, the indorser is introduced to the plays protagonist, Richard. His opening lines are incredibly captivating, and they come to an abrupt halt when his brother Clarence approaches. Already, the audience is let in on Richards dirty be pettyd secret that tells us he wants to become king, and will kill anyone who stands in his way. Unfortunately for Clarence, he is in the way. However, the reader would be keen to notice that Richard is a manipulative satirist. He constantly uses humor and clapperclaw to expose the stupidity or even naivety of others around him.In the very first scene, Clarence is be led up to the tower by guards, which is all part of Richards master plan. When Richard asks ab break through the situation, he is sympathetic and angry. At this point, the reader gains some insight to what kind of person Richard is, and may even discriminate a slight hint of humor in the situation. Indirectly, the audience is almost spoken to in an divagation type of manner. Readers of the play know full well what is going on, and the gullible nature of the unsuspecting murdered-to-be is funny. Again, in Act I, scene ii, the reader sees Richard interact with Anne.It is pointed out that he has killed her husband, and as the story unfolds, the reader deal tell that she is not too happy about this. However, an argument ensues, and Richard manages to woo Anne. The exchange is full of one-sided language and snappy wit, the kind Shakespeare is so good at. However, the best part of this exchange of account books occurs at the end of the scene, when Richard states, Was ever woman in this humor wooed? /Was ever woman in this manner win? (ll 234-235) Obviously, the word humor in this sense is not how modern readers would understand it.However, the way the scene unfolded, and the way that Richard is pleased with himself is humorous, even if its the, ha-ha, you think youre hot stuff kind of humor. In the quest scene, members of the nobility are arguing over status. While some readers may find the exchanges between all of them to be funny because they are acting like children, the true humor lies in the false stabilise of Queen Margaret in her asides. While some of the members argue, she puts her 2 cents in, and then steps forward.The dialogue gets snappy and heated, except takes a sharp break when this part of the exchange comes Margaret. /Richard/Ha /I call thee not /I cry thee mercy, then, for I did think/ That thou hadst called me all those bitter names. /Why, so did I, but looked for no reply. (ll 236-241) The reader can imagine this exchange of dialogue taking place on stage, careening backbone and forth, until a little humor breaks it. However, the dialogue picks up again, and the bitterness continues. After she exits, they all discourse to each other, pretty much asking, what the heck was that all about? The next scene als o has some prime examples of humor in this play. Here, two murderers are sent to kill Clarence.The text is so rich in indirectly describing the demeanor of these two, and the reader undoubtedly chuckles when reading the dialogue between the two of them. Primarily, the reader sees this in lines 110-115 Ill go back to the duke of Gloucester and tell him so. / Please, just wait a minute. Im hoping my consecrated mood will pass. / It unremarkably wholly lasts about twenty seconds. / How are you facial expression now? / Actually, Im still feeling some pangs of conscience. Even in modern times, the idea of a conscience coming and going quite of being unwavering is funny. Even funnier is the thief being aware of this, and saying, hang on, itll pass, as if his holy conscience were a case of bad gas or something like that. Further on, the two murderers talk about conscience, and how nobody would listen to it even if it flew out of a wallet. Of course, no Shakespeare play would be compl ete(a) without the use of puns. Shakespeare uses this type of humor as a witty way to keep the dialogue unspoiled and flowing.The reader gets a taste of these funny little bits as early as the first act and first scene, when Brakenbury starts, With this, my lord, myself have naught to do. / Naught to do with Mistress Shore? I tell thee, fellow, / He that doth naught with her, excepting one, / Were best he do it secretly, alone. / (ll 97-100) The reader sees Richard use a play on the word naught. Brakenbury seems to use it for a common meaning, nothing. However, Richard being as dirty minded and witty as he is, uses the word as copulate or naughty.So, he implies that there should only be one guy having sex with Mrs. Shore, and that everyone ought to keep their sexual business to themselves. Shakespeare is using humor for the sake of it right here, but he also allows the reader to see the quick-thinking side of Richard. This really solidifies the image of Richard as an evil, two-fac ed person. Again, Shakespeare uses puns in the scene with Anne as well O, cursed be the hand that made these holes / fated the heart that had the heart to do it / Cursed the blood that let this blood from hence. (ll 13-15) And yet again, the reader sees a subtle use of the pun in act I, scene I when Richard says, Well, your imprisonment shall not be long, / I will deliver you, or else lie for you. / (ll 114-115) Here, Shakespeare lets the audience in on the little romp that only Richard and those who are reading know. The word lie to Clarence means, Go to prison or stay in prison. However, the reader knows for certain that Richard means lie as in deceive. And deceive he will, as this is his whole purpose in the play. Throughout the play, readers are reminded that this is a gruesome story about a man and his tragic flaws.Perhaps this man Richard even fell from grace, but hed have to have grace to begin with. Shakespeare does a good job of infusing humor in the most fitting ways by characterizing Richard as a satirist and excellently deceiving linguist. Also, Shakespeare uses humor in sharp, alert dialogue between characters to demonstrate ideas such as lack of conscience and close-mindedness. Again, while there may be humor in other Shakespeare tragedies, none may be able to balance out the storyline as well as it was done in Richard III.

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