In the play, Richard III, by William Shakespeare, Richard, the Duke of Gloucester, is portrayed as one of the most pursuant and evil characters in all of literature. Although he was behind a lot of people in the line for the throne, he became King in record time. How did he succeed in duping so many intelligent people? My theory is that Richard used his deformity, fabricated charm, and unequivocal brilliance to manipulate the people closest to him.
             Perhaps one of the harshest deceptions in this play was that of George, Duke of Clarence. Clarence was Richard's loving brother. In the first scene of Act one, Clarence comes to his brother and appeals for help, because he has been arrested. When asked for what reason, he replies, "Because my name is George." (Shakepeare,7) Little does he know that Richard, his beloved brother, is behind his arrest and upcoming execution. Richard had told his brother, the recently crowned King Edward, that someone with a name beginning with a "G" would cause his family to lose the throne. George, Duke of Clarence, becomes the primary suspect. So, in effect, Richard also fools King Edward by pouring "drunken prophecies, libels, and dreams" into the King's naive ear. (www.web.ask.com) Also, King Edward only wanted Clarence arrested, yet Richard sees to it that he is executed. When the king finds out, Richard acted as if it was Edward's own order that sent Clarence to his grave. It is ironic that the two sent to murder Clarence, try to convey to him that his brother Richard is not what he seems to be. The second murderer goes as far as to say "You are deceived. Your brother Gloucester hates you." (Shakespeare, 45) He could not have spelled it out any clearer,yet Clarence, still convinced of Richard's brotherly love, refuses to believe. In this instance, I would say Richard used his cunning and intelligence to persuade the king of Clarence's...