Shakespeare explores the theme of fate in Richard III and the idea that bad deeds lead to bad ends. The play explores the tension between destiny and individual agency. Richard often invokes fate to justify his actions, yet his downfall suggests that free will and moral choices play crucial roles in shaping one’s destiny. The audience knows that Richard will be punished for his evil actions and he is fated to have an unhappy ending. His eventual defeat serves as retribution for his crimes, restoring order and balance to the realm.
Margaret’s Curses
Margaret plays an important role in predicting the fate of the other characters. She curses many of the characters in the royal court and reminds them of their crimes during the Wars of the Roses. Many of her curses come true.
Dreams as Warnings
When Clarence is in prison, he dreams that his brother stumbles and pushes him into the sea. His dream of drowning foreshadows his murder, and he is soon stabbed on his brother’s orders and his body is dumped in vat of wine.
Richard and Richmond also have dreams before the final battle. Richard is cursed by the ghosts of all his victims and Richmond is blessed. Their fates are confirmed by the actions of the ghosts.
These lines reveal much about the theme of fate in Richard III.
O now let Richmond and Elizabeth,
The true succeeders of each royal house,
By God’s fair ordinance conjoin together!
– Richmond,
— Richard III, Act 5, scene 5
Richmond has defeated Richard and become the newly crowned King Henry VII. This quotation suggests that his ascension to the throne is all part of God’s plan – he was fated to become the next king of England. Richmond is from the House of Lancaster and his new wife Elizabeth from the House of York, so their marriage signals not only the new Tudor era but also the end of the Wars of the Roses.
Dreams as Warnings
When Clarence is in prison, he dreams that his brother stumbles and pushes him into the sea. His dream of drowning foreshadows his murder, and he is soon stabbed on his brother’s orders and his body is dumped in vat of wine.
Richard and Richmond also have dreams before the final battle. Richard is cursed by the ghosts of all his victims and Richmond is blessed. Their fates are confirmed by the actions of the ghosts.
These lines reveal much about the theme of fate in Richard III.
O now let Richmond and Elizabeth,
The true succeeders of each royal house,
By God’s fair ordinance conjoin together!
– Richmond,
— Richard III, Act 5, scene 5
Richmond has defeated Richard and become the newly crowned King Henry VII. This quotation suggests that his ascension to the throne is all part of God’s plan – he was fated to become the next king of England. Richmond is from the House of Lancaster and his new wife Elizabeth from the House of York, so their marriage signals not only the new Tudor era but also the end of the Wars of the Roses.
