ENGLISH LITERATURE (CBSE/UGC NET)

Detailed explanation-1: -Richard III is a play by William Shakespeare. It was probably written c. 1592–1594. It is labelled a history in the First Folio, and is usually considered one, but it is sometimes called a tragedy, as in the quarto edition.

Detailed explanation-2: -Even though, historically, Richard III has been considered a tragedy, Richard III is not a character scholars tend to think of when they hear the words “tragic hero.”1 Instead, scholars have argued that Richard III is a villain, because of the evil actions he commits in Shakespeare’s play.

Detailed explanation-3: -Richard III (2 October 1452 – 22 August 1485) was King of England from 26 June 1483 until his death in 1485. He was the last king of the House of York and the last of the Plantagenet dynasty.

Detailed explanation-4: -Richard as Tragic Hero At the start of the play Richard is presented as an inept king. Shakespeare makes it clear that although Richard views himself positively, he is actually weak, foolish and arrogant, mismanaging the realm and abusing his position of power.

Detailed explanation-5: -He has long been known as the murderous king of England so keen on gaining power that he killed anyone who stood in his way, even his nephews. But the reputation of Richard III has been unfairly maligned and he may not have murdered the young princes in the Tower of London in 1483, according to researchers.