May 30, 2025
Thanks to Alissa Simon, HMU Tutor, for today’s post.
Did Shakespeare’s Richard III believe in God? In the plays that lead up to Richard III, such as the First and Second Parts of King Henry the Fourth, a series of royal figures claim a divine right to the throne. Ironically, however, this “divine right” culminates in a very bloody culture of brothers killing brothers and cousins killing cousins known as the War of the Roses. Richard III, however, doesn’t make a claim of divine right.
Instead, the play opens with Richard’s soliloquy (Richard, Duke of Gloucester is also referred to as Gloucester) in which he professes to follow the path of evil: “And therefore, since I cannot prove a lover,/ To entertain these fair well-spoken days,/ I am determined to prove a villain/ And hate the idle pleasures of these days” (Act I, scene 1, lines 28-31). Why? Does he feel he is a necessary counterpart to heaven or to pleasure? Is he part of a grander plan which includes Satan or the devil? Or is this evil scheme entirely separate from his contemporaries’ world view? Or is this simply an act of revenge for being born with deformities? Is Richard mad at the culture which denies him pleasure?
Following this infamous soliloquy, Richard plans to kill his brother Clarence. He says, “Simple, plain Clarence! I do love thee so,/ That I will shortly send thy soul to heaven,/ If heaven will take the present at our hands” (Act I, Scene 1, lines 118-120). Since Richard has just denied heaven’s existence, it is interesting to see that he believes his brother’s simplicity belongs there. He acknowledges that simple Clarence might be worthy of heaven. Is that simplicity a slam against Clarence, or against divinity?
Richard III wields religious language as a tool for manipulation. For this reason, any religious symbolism feels doubly disrespectful. The hypocrisy adds drama and intrigue while also darkening Richard’s character. For example, Richard’s minions call him “Lord Protector” which sounds a little like tales from the dark side. Richard hides his true self better than all the rest. He has used all sorts of tools, including a feigned religiosity, to fool them all.
Hastings speaks of innocence and purity in Act III, scene 4. To increase the dramatic impact of this scene, Richard enters and declares Hastings a traitor and has him killed instantly. And in doing so, Richard invokes Saint Paul: “Thou art a traitor:/ Off with his head! Now, by Saint Paul I swear,/ I will not dine until I see the same!” (Act III, scene 4, line 78). The fierce pace of turnovers and executions now appears more like the norm rather than the exception.
After this quick beheading, Richard’s followers deem him the “Christian prince” (Act III, scene 7, line 95). They layer religious icons and language into a fragile facade which presents an impeccable Richard. Buckingham helps Richard in this image by staging Richard’s appearance. Buckingham tells him: “The Mayor is here at hand…look you get a prayer-book in your hand/ And stand betwixt two churchmen, good my lord;/ For on that ground I’ll build a holy descant” (Act III, scene 7, lines 45-49). Why Buckingham wants to aid Richard’s treachery I have not yet figured out. It seems that the closer one comes to the throne, the more power pulls at them.
In Act III, Richard even denies the fact that he wants the throne. He denies any ambition or wrongdoing. Acting an angel’s part, he claims to have done everything in all piety. Although it’s unclear how his followers have any powers, they present Richard with a crown. He replies: “I am not made of stones,/ But penetrable to your kind entreats,/ Albeit against my conscience and my soul” (Act III, scene 7, lines 224-226). In response to the offer of the crown, he repeats the notion that he has no desire for it: “For God knows, and you may partly see, How far I am from the desire thereof” (Act III, scene 7, lines 235-6). He manipulates believers by throwing around notions of faith. All the while his unhealthy ambition grows.
In truth, Richard’s absolute hypocrisy knows no bounds. Lies mean nothing to him and fall like water from his lips. Though Richard’s royal world is steeped in religion, it is possible that the ruthlessness of his predecessors has led him to question God’s existence. He, of course knows his history. He knows that Richard II lacked action, loved luxury, and cared little for people. Henry IV stole (or returned) the throne in the name of God. Henry V’s virtue came from decisive action and ability. Henry VI was more philosopher and theologian than king. Edward (Richard’s brother) kills Henry VI and (others) in an effort to return the crown to his own family line. Edward believes (and we have no real reason to doubt) that he is the true divinely appointed heir to the throne. It never even occurs to anyone that Richard might also seek power.
The dizzying pace of death hardly leaves one time to understand what has happened and to whom. But it does beg the question: is God present? Perhaps this is why, near the end of this bleak trajectory, Richard claims: “There is no creature loves me;/ And if I die, no soul will pity me” (Act V, scene 3). Is Richard a victim of his upbringing? Is he a victim of a much larger unhealthy cycle? If so, is he right to assume that God has abandoned him?
Photo credit: Shutterstock/ Jon Naustdalslid
