Download Shulamith Firestone once said `Power, however it has

Using detailed evidence discuss how an awareness of the following theme of ‘desire for
power’ helps our understanding of conflict in Richard III
Shulamith Firestone once said ‘Power, however it has evolved, whatever its origins, will
not be given up without a struggle.’ Almost every decision made in Richard III by
William Shakespeare has been influenced by the characters desire for power, whether it
was for good or selfish intentions. However it is the methods in which characters
determinedly sought after power (as it will not be given up without a ‘struggle’) that
result in conflict. This is especially seen in the main character Richard who is so
consumed with thoughts of obtaining the power of the throne that he is prepared to do
anything – murder, deceive and betray – to get it.
A key conflict explored throughout Richard III is the Wars of the Roses which
originated long before the plot was set. This is the ongoing power struggle between the
Lancaster and York houses between the mid to late 1500s. This is clearly seen through
the characters Margaret, Elizabeth and Richard in Act 1 Scene 3. Throughout this scene
Margaret flings curses at Richard and Margaret, blaming them for her displacement
from the throne and the murder of her family. Her descent from the throne left her
powerless and bitter, which led to the enraged conflict shared between her, Richard and
Elizabeth, who represent the York and Woodville families. Elizabeth now possesses
“Thy honor, state, and seat is due to me [Margaret],” which is the power that provides
her family with the protection Margaret has now lost, which she fiercely defends to
Margaret. It is also the power Richard ruthlessly strives to gain. However Richard and
Elizabeth’s desire for the throne enables them to miraculously put aside their differences
to present a united front against Margaret –a member of the opposing house who needs
to stay defeated for their positions of royalty to stay protected.
We see Richard pursuing his individual quest for power when he attempts to woo Lady
Anne ‘for another secret close intent.’ However as anticipated conflict occurs between
them as Anne sees him as a ‘foul devil,’ as he ‘killed her husband and her father,’ so his
family could usurp the throne. She and her family are now powerless. So Anne has no
choice but to take up Richard’s offer of marriage as horrendous as it may be as
otherwise there is no other form of protection available to her. It is her only chance to
regain the power she lost. The works to Richard’s advantage as through this matrimony
he is one step closer to obtaining the power he desires, although he carefully conceals
this motive from Anne. Richard and Anne therefore enter their marriage for personal
benefit and not for love.
The precarious nature of their marriage leaves Anne in a dangerous position which she
soon realises ‘He hates me and will no doubt be rid of me.’ Richard murders Anne when
she no longer is needed as part of his plan to seize the throne. His desire for power
enabled him to commit murder guiltlessly like Henry VI who states in Shakespeare’s
play Henry VI ‘I can smile and murder while I smile.’
The complicated nature of Elizabeth and Richard’s relationship also stems from a power
struggle. Elizabeth fears what would happen if her husband, King Edward died ‘If he
were dead, what would betide on me?’ She is especially worried about her children as
Richard who she claims ‘loves not me, nor none of you,’ will rule as Protector if that
were to happen. She knows that the security of her family would be in jeopardy if she
became a widow as she cannot rely on Richard to take care of them – ‘God grant we
never may have need of you!’ Because of this she despises him. Richard has equally
derogatory feelings towards her and her Woodville family as they are obstacles between
him and the throne. As long as Elizabeth’s two Princes survive he could never be
crowned King.
To end the conflict between Richard and the Woodville’s who prevent him from
ascending to the throne, Richard murders Vaughn, Grey and Rivers as they were able to
protect the Princes if they were alive. With this obstacle obliterated the Princes (his
nephews) were left vulnerable and Richard was able to orchestrate their murders ‘I wish
the bastards dead.’ Richard’s Machiavellian values (which are discussed in The Prince
by Niccolò Machiavelli) enabled Richard to disregard other people’s feelings and needs
when it came to making decisions and only consider how the benefits he would gain.
This meant that unrest always followed Richard.
This happened when Buckingham (Richard’s right hand man) was unable to adopt
Richard’s Machiavellian values to the same degree when asked to murder the Princes
and therefore refused, as he thought it was too evil to murder innocent children only for
power. Richard was unable to accept or understand this and as a result conflict arose as
Richard and Buckingham had different ideas about how far they would go to acquire
power. Richard’s desperation and hunger for power made him paranoid and came to the
conclusion that Buckingham had been against him all along ‘Buckingham grows
circumspect,’ when Buckingham had actually remained loyal up until this point. This
resulted in yet another murder Richard can be held responsible for.
The final conflict that arose from a desire for power was between Richard and
Richmond. This conflict escalated to a war where both parties planned to fight to the
death as the prize - the throne of England - was unable to be shared. This led to a fierce
fight, each side having such a great amount to loose. Richard desperate to maintain the
crown instructed ‘Let’s to it pell mell, if not to heaven, then hand in hand to hell.’
However he was overpowered by Richmond which led to his downfall.
Richard’s obsession with power led him to believe ‘conscience it but a word cowards
use.’ His decisions were often ruthless and left him with many enemies, which created
conflict between his character and character’s who he offended such as Anne who calls
him ‘a lump of foul deformity,’ and Elizabeth. Through Richard’s character in Richard
III by William Shakespeare we are able to see what ‘heinous deeds’ a desire for power
can motivate you to commit if not controlled, and how the conflict that results can lead
to your downfall.