Myself Alone: Richard III And The Dissolution Of Masculine Identity

In Coppelia Kahn’s critical essay ““Myself Alone”: Richard III and the Dissolution of Masculine Identity,” discusses how masculinity is normally formed in Shakespearean histories, where a man’s identity is shaped by his relationship with his father. Kahn discusses how Richard is the only male character in the tetralogy whose masculinity is formed as a result of isolating and consciously separating himself from his father’s legacy. Kahn begins her essay by pointing out the patriarchal nature of Shakespeare’s history: men are at its’ center and the plays usually are tales on how these great men either come or lose their power. She states that in these Shakespearean histories, a man’s character resembles the relationship he has with his father, meaning there is a strong motif of filial piety in these plays. However, Richard III is different, in that it follows the breakdown of filial bonds, where Richard masculinity and power is established as a result of detaching himself from his father’s legacy and title. In fact, Richard III also tells the story of

Also, Kahn is establishing a connection between Richard’s deformity to why he is corrupt, but even Richard himself explains this in the opening soliloquy of the play. Ultimately, it comes down to Richard’s inability to love that forces himself to isolate himself, and establish his masculinity in his own terms. Also, what distinguishes Richard from other men of the tetralogy is that while they did murder in the name of their fathers, Richard murdered to establish his own legacy. Richard chooses not to emulate his father, and often makes fun of others in his family line for their sense of loyalty to family. Kahn concludes with the sentiment that Richard dissolved the idea of “masculine identity [being] paternally defined