"The only prize much cared for by the powerful is power." - Oliver Wendell Holmes
             Shakespeare shows us in Richard II the heart and mind of one of these men who seem to have no limits to what they will do to achieve power. What do tyrants have in common? Is there a brotherhood of corruption that spans centuries and countries? Richard III was King of England in medieval times. Muammar Muhammed Qadhafi is a Libyan dictator who is still in power. Despite these differences in time and location, there are many similarities between these men for whom power was the only prize. At the beginning of Richard III, Richard is the brother of the king and yet he is still dissatisfied with his situation.
             "And therefore, since I cannot prove a lover
             To entertain these fair well-spoken days,
             And hate the idle pleasures of these days."
             Shakespeare has Richard say that his physical deformity makes him capable of nothing but further plotting. Is this why Richard takes power? What causes men to usurp power?
             Qadhafi was always very powerful even when he was a little boy. During his school years, it was said that his friends would carry around a stool for when young Qadhafi wanted to give a speech. On September 1st, 1969, a twenty-seven-year-old Qadhafi and a group of Free Unionist Officers took over Libya and overthrew King Sayyid Muhammed al-Idris. Even though Qadhafi comes to power with the help of his military "family", he individually takes control. Richard also gained power by violence. He killed Henry VI and his son Edward, Prince of Wales. Even though this brings Richard's family to power, Richard is not satisfied. He needs personal power.
             "Clarence still breathes; Edward still lives and reigns:
             When they are gone, then I must count my gains"
             Usurpers try to legitimize their rights to power. Edward IV and Richard are from the House of York. They feel that they have roy
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