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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.