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Dichotomy In Looking For Richard

1162 Words5 Pages

All works of great art are endlessly dismantled, reconstructed and recycled, to allow timeless ideas to resonate with contemporary audiences. Al Pacino recontextualises Shakespeare’s play, Richard III (RIII), allowing for greater accessibility to contemporary audiences in 1990s America. In his docudrama, Looking for Richard (LFR), Pacino retains the enduring values of the relentless pursuit of power being intertwined with human nature. This is encompassed within RIII and displayed through the resonance of Richard acting against the Elizabethan theocracy. Further, the portrayal of Pacino’s Richard resonates with that of Shakespeare through the consistent demonstration of the dichotomy of his psyche. Dissonantly, Pacino reframes the lens through …show more content…

This allows Richard to effectively manipulate those who feel remorse for him, exposing the stark contrast between his outward appearance and his inward realities. This is evident through the persistent use of aphorism, that Shakespeare highlights Richard’s inward nature, as “conscience is but a word that cowards use”. His dismissive attitude towards conscience and morality reflects Richard’s distorted views of ethics as a tool for the weak. Richards's manipulations are deeply resonant with the Elizabethan audience, due to their perpetual fear of treachery and potential threats to Queen Elizabeth III’s rule. Richard’s motives are further uncovered as he flatters Anne, "Was ever a woman in this humour woo'd? Was ever a woman in this humour won? ", the rhetorical question signifies Richard’s manipulation by appealing to Anne's pride and vanity. His insincere flattery masks his true intentions, thus showcasing his outward appearance and inward realities. Moreover, Shakespeare elevates those inhuman elements of his appearance whilst establishing other characters' observance of him as a metaphorical “hog”, “spider” and “toad” through bestial imagery. This allows for Richard’s appearance, “deformed, unfinished and sent before my time”, to create and solidify his villainous character, by reinforcing Christian principles. Thus, it is evident throughout the play, that Shakespeare places significance on Richard’s outward appearance, Richard’s true intentions are subsumed within a manipulative facade. Core values from RIII are retained, and hence mirrored within LFR, as Pacino recycles Richard’s character, dismantling his multi-faceted facade, blurring the lines between appearance and reality for a contemporary American audience. This allows for questioning of Richard’s true nature and the elusiveness of truth. The docudrama exposes the audience to Richard's

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