Michael Williams

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Term Paper Title	Michael Williams
# of Words	725
# of Pages (250 words per page double spaced)	2.9

Michael Williams
11/15/96
Bellas EN-11
RD
Richard III

     In William Shakespeare’s Richard III, we see Shakespeare’s interpretation of

despot rule and the parallels that stem from this interpretation.  The character type of

Richard has been examined and marveled for thousands of years.  From Plato’s

examination of despot rule in the Republic, we see the motives of what drives despot

rulers.  A look at the background of Richard and how his upbringing and personal life

contributed to his insecurities will help to understand why someone may become a

despot.  The comparison of Adolf Hitler to that of Richard, shown by the modern

motion picture Richard III, will show the rapid rise and fall of the despot and the reality

of totalitarian rule.

     Plato’s Republic, a fascinating look at the comparison of the just soul and the

unjust soul, allows one to see the philosophical motives behind despot rule.  Despot

rulers are simply driven by fear.  Their anxieties and insecurities lead to a hatred that has

a desire to destroy, deep-rooted in violence.  Despot rulers are also never satisfied with

the power they have at any given time, thus exposing their constant fear of retaliation

from their subjects.  This examination of the despot ruler by Plato clearly shows the

motives by which despot rulers rule, but it fails to explain why and how these motives

originate in the human mind.

     In order to comprehend why such a high level of fear and insecurity can be

brought about, a look at the upbringing and personal life of Richard should be brought

into discussion.  One of three brothers, Richard was in constant competition of who
would succeed in gaining the throne of England.   Richard, like his other brothers,

wanted the title of king quite badly, but as time pressed on it seemed less likely that

Richard would succeed in gaining the throne.  His shrewd attitude and a physical

deformity, that left him nearly paralyzed, were two of the many reasons why Richard

would be kept of the throne.  Richard quickly became aware of this and he therefore

began his rampage to insure himself the throne.  After killing off his brothers and many

others, who were eligible to succeed, Ri...

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