"In the late 1400s, Richard, the Duke of Gloucester, a deformed and sinister individual, plots to become king of England after the success of his elder brother Edward in the War of the Roses.
Because his brother George, Duke of Clarence, is ahead of him in the line of succession, Richard frames him for treason and has him imprisoned in the Tower of London. Not satisfied that these measures will prevent George from gaining the throne, Richard sends assassins to drown him in a barrel of wine.
When King Edward IV dies and his son Edward is crowned king, Richard is appointed Royal Protector of the young king and his brother until they come of age.
To prevent the lads from being influenced by their mother's family, Richard orders them beheaded on charges of treason, and then does the same to the Royal Chamberlain when he refuses to crown Richard king.
Ordering his lackey the Duke of Buckingham to spin public opinion in his favor, Richard manages to convince the populace that the king and his brother are illegitimate and "graciously" accepts the crown.
Worried that the two children will one day attempt to unseat him, Richard has them killed in their sleep and then has the Duke of Buckingham beheaded for good measure.
Now that he is the king of England, Richard settles in for some old-fashioned tyranny, but is soon back in action when Henry, the Duke of Richmond, raises an army to oppose him. Heading out to defeat his latest opponent, Richard prepares to meet him in battle at Bosworth Field."
James Craver, Resident Scholar
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Review Analysis of Richard III
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Ratings are on a 1-10 scale (Low to High)
Plot
Tone of book?
- upbeat
Time/era of story
- distant past/middle ages
Life of a profession:
- prince/nobleman/king/queen
Is this an adult or child's book?
- Adult or Young Adult Book
Job/Profession/Status story
Yes
Main Character
Gender
- Male
Profession/status:
- Prince/Nobleman/King
Age:
- 40's-50's
Eccentric/Mental
Yes
Eccentric:
- eccentric
- obsessed
Ethnicity/Nationality
- British
How sensitive is this character?
- mean, arrogant
Sense of humor
- Cynical sense of humor
Intelligence
- Very much smarter than other characters
Physique
- healthy but a geeky weakling
Main Adversary
Identity:
- Male
Age:
- 20's-30's
Profession/status:
- Prince/Nobleman/King
How much of work is main antagonist actually present in:
- a little/some
How sensitive is this character?
- sensitive to others' feelings
Sense of humor
- Mostly serious with occasional humor
Intelligence
- Average intelligence
Physique
- bulging muscles
Setting
How much descriptions of surroundings?
- 2 (a little)
Europe
Yes
European country:
- England/UK
City?
Yes
City:
- London
Misc setting
- fort/military installation
Style
Person
- mostly 3rd
Accounts of torture and death?
- moderately detailed references to deaths
Sex in book?
Yes
What kind of sex:
- vague references
- descript of kissing
Weird Victorian/Shakespearean English?
Yes
Unusual Style:
- a lot of play on words
Is this a play?
Yes
Amount of dialog
- mostly dialog
