Abstract
When considering matters of discourse in William Shakespeare's plays, "The Tragedy of King Richard II" and "The Tempest", King Richard displays stronger leadership skills because he always speaks with eloquence. King Richard speaks with a grace and style that cannot be matched by Prospero. This paper examines how speech is an important part of how a leader is perceived through King Richard and Prospero.

From the Paper
"This soliloquy also illustrates how Richard has come to terms with the fact that he is not destined to be king, as he once believed. He has resigned himself to the fact of how he must live out the rest of his life. This soliloquy is beautiful and heart wrenching. It is through Richard's speeches that Shakespeare is able to make Richard stand out. King Richard would be an ideal candidate for any political position in the world today. He was always able to deliver moving speeches and this is a valuable asset to any king. In fact, it is proof that a man's words can carry him far even if they cannot save his life."

Tags:Miranda, Caliban, Alonso

Abstract
This paper questions the reasons for King Richard II's demise, whether he was to blame, whether he was irresponsible and whether it was a sin to kill him. It reflects upon these issues and also discusses if whether despite his downfall brought about by his own actions, Richard grows as a character in the end.

From the Paper
"King Richard is not a man of action and as the play advances and he gets into more and more trouble, his end approaches and he becomes most poetic of all. He shows himself to be a poet and a dreamer. At Flint castle he asks Aumerle ??.Shall we call back Northumberland, and send Defiance to the traitor, and so die?? And Aumerle replies? No, good my lord; let's fight with gentle words?? This is also an example of another cause of King Richard's downfall. He surrounded himself with flatterers and poor advisors. Richard ignores the only sound advice he gets from Gaunt's death bed and even wishes that the doctor would quicken his death so that he can seize Gaunt's land."

Tags:henry, york, england

Abstract
This paper examines how King Richard I made significant progress during his reign in England and how, while he was king, he succeeded in gaining land for the Christians. It shows how he led the Third Crusade with great compassion and wisdom and how he was able to think in different ways in regards to strategy, which allowed him to conquer land and earn the respect of many. It also shows how his efforts allowed the Christians a safe pilgrimage to Jerusalem and how the land he conquered gave England strategic territory.

From the Paper
"The Third Crusade is known as King Richard's "great chivalrous episode." 11 as well as the most "bloody and brutal" 12 of the eight crusades. Philip Augustus also took part in this Crusade. The two behaved like friends in public but were actually rivals. Despite the fact that Richard's expedition did not free the Holy Sepulcher, it did allow him the opportunity to demonstrate his courage. 13 This situation forced Richard and Saladin to come together and agree to put an end to the fighting. While they were negotiating, Saladin began to respect Richard. He even said that Richard was a "man of honour and very brave . . . he plunges into the midst of danger and in his reckless indifference to his own safety." 14 Indeed, Richard always displayed courage in the face of fear."

Tags:crusade, lionheart, saladin, jerusalem

Abstract
This paper relates that Shakespeare's primary intent in "Othello" was to develop the villainous character of Iago, whose motives are represented as being highly complex and ambiguous, but villainous in the extreme. The author points out that Richard is shown to be a villain of the highest caliber, whose power-mad lust for the crown compels him to confirm his claim that, "I am determined to prove a villain." The paper concludes that Shakespeare portrays Iago and Richard in much the same light, as sociopaths who view others as merely objects representing obstacles in their path to fame and glory, which makes them villains by any definition.

From the Paper
"However, much like Richard, Iago's ambition is the source of his villainy rather than his resentment at being overlooked for promotion, sexual jealousy or the racial prejudice he had consistently faced; rather: "A man motivated by simple jealously and hatred would have no such need. He is not inspired by pure evil and desire to torment Othello either. In reality, Iago's main motivation, born out of an inferiority complex, is a desire to heighten his sense of superiority and power." According to Agrawal, Samuel Coleridge's phrase, ". . . motive hunting of motiveless malignity," may best describe Iago's strange actions and behavior. "Motive hunting" exactly describes Iago's soliloquies. He continuously ponders over and tries to understand his emotions. It is clear that he wants to torment and destroy Othello. However, he is not sure of the motivations underlying that desire." "

Tags:sociopath, crown, complex, lust, obstacles

Abstract
The author compares and contrasts the rule of the two kings in Shakespeare plays, "Winter's Tale" and "The Tragedy of King Richard III." The theme running through both plays is that power corrupts, and this is the theme that runs through both of these plays. King Richard is portrayed as an absolute ruler destroyed by his thirst for absolute power. King Leontes, is a king more paranoid than perhaps even Lear who refuses to believe even the gods who say that his wife and friend are not involved in an adulterous relationship. He is also an absolute ruler who believes that he knows even better, than the gods themselves.

From the Paper
"Shakespeare s Richard is a thoroughly rotten villain. This is made clear to us in Act One, scene 1. Angry over the limits of his physical deformity, and, perhaps, the low social status accorded him as the very sparest of spare heirs, Richard vows to overcome his limitations. In line 30 of this speech, Richard says, I am determined to prove a villain. Most would agree that these are not the words of a person who has the best interests of his fellow human beings at heart. If one needs further proof, Richard goes on to describe a plot that pits his two brothers, Clarence and Edward, against each other hopefully resulting in both brothers deaths."

Tags:absolute, iii, power, richard, shakespeare, tale, winter

Abstract
This paper explains that the figure Robin Hood is based on a real person, a king of England to be precise. The paper claims that an examination of the life of King Richard, better known as Richard the Lionheart,will reveal the real tale of Robin Hood. The paper presents a biographical tale of the life of King Richard. The paper contends that it is Richard's positive traits and goals that people remember about him; it is his virtue and heroism that lives in storybooks. Though the fairytale has changed and gained an element of fiction, the paper explains that the truth of Richard's conquest is evident.

From the Paper
"Most people remember the character of Robin Hood from children's stories. When they think of him they recall a hero who "robbed from the rich and gave to the poor." What most people do not know is that the figure Robin Hood is based on a real person, a king of England to be precise. That character is King Richard I, better known as King Richard the Lionheart. Although Richard I did not, by the standards of the day, steal from "the Rich," historians have found a distinct connection between the lives of the two characters. Robin Hood lived during the 13th century, exactly one year after the time of King Richard's reign. Also, it is evident in the stories of Robin Hood that his main political goal is to "restore Richard to the throne after Prince John usurped it." Although most people are probably unaware of the connection between the two heroes, King Richard I had a very fascinating and interesting life. "

Tags:henry, john, robin, hood

Abstract
Richard I of England (1157-1199), whose inspiring courage in battle earned him the titled "Coeur de Lion" or "the Lion-hearted," took control of the Third Crusade and became one of the greatest military leaders of medieval Europe. This paper talks about his early life, his military feats, key facts, and his death.

From the Paper
"With Acre under his control, Richard marched towards the Holy City to free it from the Muslim sultan who had captured it in 1187, Saladin. During the course of this march, Richard demonstrated his abilities as a logistician and strategist for military. He marched his troops along the coast, allowing his fleet of ships to parallel them and provide supplies whenever they were necessary. He did not allow his troops to chase the small Muslim groups who bothered them. The king knew that their plan was for his troops to fall into a Muslim ambush. Having ignored the Muslim till September 7, Richard decided to turn his entire army of around fifty thousand against Arsuf. He had an astounding victory here, as he killed seven thousand while only losing seven hundred."

Tags:Eleanor, of, Aquitaine, Saladin, Jerusalem

Abstract
This paper examines the play, "Richard III", focusing on the main character, King Richard III of England. It discusses whether he should be considered a villain and asks, "Did he repent in time?" It explains that, in the play, Edward IV is on the throne, but his brother Richard plans to usurp Edward and be crowned king. To accomplish this goal, he must manipulate and murder, but in the midst of all the chaos he creates, there are glimmers of a better man.

From the Paper
"He has decided that since he is no good at being happy, he will become an outstanding villain. He will soon show just how power-hungry he is. His reasons for acting as he does seem thin, and at this point it is hard to imagine how any good traits could be spotted in such a man. Richard is intelligent and manipulative, and has the ability to lie through his teeth and bee believed. He convinces a just-widowed noble woman, Lady Anne, that she should marry him, even though she knows he murdered her husband. He has his trusting and na ve older brother executed. King Edward is already in poor health, and Richard uses Clarence s death to hasten Edward s death."

Tags:tudor, edward, king, england, villian

Abstract
The life and experiences of King Richard I of England are examined. Key topics of interest include continual family conflict, early development of military prowess, defense of English provinces in France and involvement in the Crusades.

From the Paper
"Richard I was the son of two of the most interesting and formidable royal characters of medieval history. The marriage of his parents, Henry of Anjou and Eleanor of Aquitaine brought together an empire that included not only England, but half of France as well. Richard was the third son born to this union and as such did not expect to inherit his father's crown. Unfortunately, both of his older siblings died, leaving Richard in a position of contention for the throne with his two younger brothers. This paper will examine and discuss the life of Richard I and the events that caused him to be regarded as one of the strongest military Kings of medieval England."

Tags:crusades, eleanor, england, henry, king, medieval, nobility, richard, warrior

Abstract
The paper describes how Thomas of Woodstock (the Duke of Gloucester) has been assassinated, before William Shakespeare's "Richard II" even begins. The paper elaborates that, despite being relegated to a back-story character, Thomas of Woodstock is mentioned early and often, en route to becoming the key symbol foreshadowing the downfall of King Richard II himself. This brief essay discusses the importance of Thomas of Woodstock to the play and to the audience.

From the Paper
"Before William Shakespeare's Richard II begins, Thomas of Woodstock (the Duke of Gloucester) has been assassinated. However, despite being relegated to a back-story character, Thomas of Woodstock is mentioned early and often, en route to becoming the key symbol foreshadowing the downfall of King Richard II himself. Thomas of Woodstock (not to be confused with one his supposed killers, Thomas Mowbray, Duke of Norfolk) has died suspiciously long before the opening of Richard II."

Tags:richard, shakespeare, history