Richard III is a historical figure that inspired and became the main character of one of Shakespeare’s most iconic plays. This play is regularly staged all over the world, and Richard is often played by famous actors like Laurence Olivier and Denzel Washington.
In Shakespeare’s play, Richard III is a disabled person that is portrayed as evil and greedy for power. His disabilities fuel his jealousy of his brother, who does not face the same problems he does. His disability and appearance are also often insulted by other characters including his own mother and future wife, causing him to become an evil and cunning person.
Historically, Richard III was the last Plantagenet king who was defeated by Henry VII in the Battle of Bosworth. Henry VII then started the Tudor dynasty. When Richard III ascended the throne, people assumed he murdered his younger brother to obtain it. Shakespeare based his work on sources from the Tudor family, portraying Richard the III as a greedy, manipulative, and corrupt monarch.
Richard III obtained his throne by claiming that his nephew was illegitimate and that he was the one who murdered the nephew. He is morally grey, just like many other dictators and monarchs. However, Shakespeare’s play is controversial due to the fact that it linked disabilities as a sign of evilness. In the play, Richard III was made fun of his whole life because of his disability, and no one took him seriously. Furthermore, Richard III is rarely played by disabled actors, even though the character himself is disabled.
However, disabled actor Arthur Hughes mentions that the character is far more than just his disability. “Richard is incredibly charismatic, manipulative, and intelligent. He’s capable of a lot, and he’s disabled. Shakespeare made him all these things. It’s not because he’s disabled and therefore evil that he does these awful things. He’s a dictator who happens to be disabled.”
Still, Richard III is played by renowned actors that were not disabled including Olivier, Washington, Mark Rylance, Kevin Spacey, Ralph Fiennes, and Sir Ian McKellen. There have been many issues with non-disabled actors using prosthetics and mimicry to play the part of these disabled people. This has caused multiple out lashes with people calling it inappropriate as well as troubling.
Recently though, Richard the III is being played by disabled actors like Arthur Hughes, Mat Fraser, and Daniel Monks.
“It’s a part that has been played by non-disabled artists for far too long. It’s thrilling that Arthur will continue what I hope will be a continuous line of disabled actors playing Richard,” Spiller says.
Sources:
https://s3.amazonaws.com/appforest_uf/f1658690023690x712249598683719200/Why%20Shakespeare%27s%20Richard%20III%20became%20a%20controversial%20villain%20-%20BBC%20Culture.pdf
In Shakespeare’s play, Richard III is a disabled person that is portrayed as evil and greedy for power. His disabilities fuel his jealousy of his brother, who does not face the same problems he does. His disability and appearance are also often insulted by other characters including his own mother and future wife, causing him to become an evil and cunning person.
Historically, Richard III was the last Plantagenet king who was defeated by Henry VII in the Battle of Bosworth. Henry VII then started the Tudor dynasty. When Richard III ascended the throne, people assumed he murdered his younger brother to obtain it. Shakespeare based his work on sources from the Tudor family, portraying Richard the III as a greedy, manipulative, and corrupt monarch.
Richard III obtained his throne by claiming that his nephew was illegitimate and that he was the one who murdered the nephew. He is morally grey, just like many other dictators and monarchs. However, Shakespeare’s play is controversial due to the fact that it linked disabilities as a sign of evilness. In the play, Richard III was made fun of his whole life because of his disability, and no one took him seriously. Furthermore, Richard III is rarely played by disabled actors, even though the character himself is disabled.
However, disabled actor Arthur Hughes mentions that the character is far more than just his disability. “Richard is incredibly charismatic, manipulative, and intelligent. He’s capable of a lot, and he’s disabled. Shakespeare made him all these things. It’s not because he’s disabled and therefore evil that he does these awful things. He’s a dictator who happens to be disabled.”
Still, Richard III is played by renowned actors that were not disabled including Olivier, Washington, Mark Rylance, Kevin Spacey, Ralph Fiennes, and Sir Ian McKellen. There have been many issues with non-disabled actors using prosthetics and mimicry to play the part of these disabled people. This has caused multiple out lashes with people calling it inappropriate as well as troubling.
Recently though, Richard the III is being played by disabled actors like Arthur Hughes, Mat Fraser, and Daniel Monks.
“It’s a part that has been played by non-disabled artists for far too long. It’s thrilling that Arthur will continue what I hope will be a continuous line of disabled actors playing Richard,” Spiller says.
Sources:
https://s3.amazonaws.com/appforest_uf/f1658690023690x712249598683719200/Why%20Shakespeare%27s%20Richard%20III%20became%20a%20controversial%20villain%20-%20BBC%20Culture.pdf
