Free Richard III Essays: The Power of Seduction :: Richard II Richard III Essays

Richard III  The Power of Seduction          The word seduce consort to Websters Dictionary means to tempt and draw away from ripe conduct.  This is scarcely what Richard, Duke of Gloucester/King Richard III accomplishes in Richard III.  In Richards life he does non only move from deformed hedgehog to husband, but from beast to King.  ace may ask how such deeds were performed.  However, a second wager may make the deeds look simple.  Richard demonstrated a squiffy power of seduction throughout the play that not only seduced skirt Anne, but many others.              Richards first conquest by seduction was brothel keeper Anne.  In the passage where Anne accused Gloucter of being the fount of her husbands death (I.ii.120-21), Gloucter replies not denying that he was the agent that caused the death.  However, he follows by saying to Anne, Your beauty was the cause of that effect (I.ii.121).  He continues using the excuse that her beauty caused everything.  Finally, he genuinely admits that he killed Annes husband, but in the same breath he says she caused it.  I did kill King Henry--/but twas thy beauty that provoked me (I.ii.179-80).  This seemingly sick and misshapen style of persuasion works in seducing the spitting Lady Anne into seemly his wife.  Obviously, by Anne taking the same hand in marriage that killed her reason husband one can see that she was drawn away from proper conduct.              Rhe citizens were also seduced by Richard.  However, in Act III.vii. his wits alone did not work the persuasion.  He had help from the Bishops, props and Buchingham.   The Mayor exclaims to the citizens,See where his embellish stands, tween two clergymen  (III.vii.95).   This is all part of Richards goodly act.  He wants to win the deal by being a noble and good man.  He wants them to rely that he is not only a moral man, but a modest one.  Buchingham proceeds in supporting Richard in this attempt.  Buchingham observes Richard and states to the people devil props of virtue for a Christian prince, To stay him from the fall o vanity And see, a book of prayer in his hands- True ornaments to neck a holy man. (III.vii.96-99).   Richard sways the citizens much differently than he persuaded Anne.  He persuaded Anne by reminding her that his fault was caused by her beauty.  One may say he was play with her emotions.