Significance of soliloquies and asides in Richard III Essay Example for Free

Significance of soliloquies and asides in Richard III Essay In Richard III, Shakespeare uses soliloquies and asides as a mode of expressing the otherwise internal thought process of a character. They represent dialogues between the mind of the character and the audience and create a sense of intimacy between them as the audience is given access to the internal world of the characters and are able to keep track of and understand the series of events in the play. As a result, soliloquies and asides play a very significant role as they provide the audience with information such as vital background information, straightforward declarations of intent and future plans. They also help to convey a theme, or heighten the tragedy of the play. Asides are particularly used by villains such as Richard to reveal both their schemes and their fraudulence to the audience. As such, it plays a key role in Richards character development throughout the play, revealing to us his evil nature and deceitful plots. Act 1 Scene 1 opens with Richards most important, first soliloquy. He starts by taking up the role of a narrator and filling us in on some background information relevant to the story-line of the play so that we will be able to better understand the plot and the cause of his actions. He speaks of his familys victory in the fight against Henry VI and tells us that his brother Edward, who has recently ascended the throne, is now living the high life He capers nimbly in a ladys chamber/ To the lascivious pleasing of a lute (I.i). In addition, he shows us the contrast in his mood and explains to us his inability to be merry due to his physical deformities saying, But I, that am not shaped for sportive tricks/ Nor made to court an amorous looking glass/ Have no delight to pass away the time (I.i.14,15,25).Thus, to relieve the boredom and to serve his own ambition, he determines to prove a villain, subtle, false and treacherous. This shows us his low self-esteem and dissatisfaction with himself which is evident from his tone of bitterness, anger and disgust as he feels that he is very ugly and unloved such that even dogs bark at him. It also reveals to us his evil and jealous nature as he decides to pass away his time by plotting to overthrow his brother from the throne and cause unrest and unhappiness. Hence, the first soliloquy helps us understand the context of the play better, introduces us to Richards true, evil nature as well as keeps us in anticipation as we are also let in on how he plans to attain the throne, with the phrase plots have I laid To set my brother Clarence and the king/ In deadly hate (I.i.32-35), which also acts as a tool for foreshadowing. The following soliloquies in Act 1 further characterizes Richard and shows us that he would do anything, even murder, to fulfil his goal and get his way. His sarcasm and lack of love towards his own brother Clarence as well as his cruel and violent nature is seen here as he shows no hesitance in getting his brother killed, Simple, plain Clarence, I do love thee so/That I will shortly send thy soul to heaven (I.i.119-120). His wicked, and depraved nature is also brought out through his soliloquy in Act 1 Scene 2 as he ridicules Lady Anne for having fallen for his tricks and lies and talks about his heartless plan of using her simply to gain the throne saying, Was ever woman in this humor won?/Ill have her, but I will not keep her long (I.ii.235-236). His attitude here marks a shift in his perception of himself as he had mentioned that he was not meant for sportive tricks in his opening soliloquy. However, now he has had a confidence boost due to the success with Lady Anne and says Ill be at charges for a looking glass/And entertain a score or two of tailor (I.ii.262-263). Hence this soliloquy plays a role in his character development as we can see the change in his self-image and character. In his soliloquies, Richard also secretly associates himself with the devil as seen in Act 1 Scene 3 where he says And seem a saint, when most I play the devil. This also brings out Richards duplicity and ability to deceive as he manages to fool others into thinking that he is noble and sincere. This heightens the tragedy, as Richard conquers every character from Lady Anne to his own brother Clarence through his eloquence and proficiency in pretence. Other than soliloquies, asides are also used by several characters such as Richard himself as well as Queen Margaret to reveal their true thoughts and feelings. In Act 3 Scene 1, Richard uses asides to show us what he really thins of the young prince and how he deceives him with the use of double meanings in his words. For example, [Aside] Thus like the formal Vice, Iniquity, I moralize two meanings in one word. (III.i.79-83) Over here, his comparison of himself to Vice, is apt as he does play Vice, a comic role, when he is speaking with the audience. However, he always also has two meanings, which is what allows him to also be the machiavel. Also, Margaret uses asides in Act 1 Scene 3 to inform us of Richards treacheries and prevent us from being deceived like the other characters present. For example, she says (aside) Out, devil! I do remember them too well:/Thou killedst my husband Henry in the Tower,/And Edward, my poor son, at Tewkesbury. Her reference to him as a devil is nothing new to us, but simply confirms his evil nature. As such, the asides used have played a part in keeping us informed of the characters innermost thoughts as well as developing Richards character in the play.